Page 13 - Stuart Exposure - March '22

Stuart Exposure, Page 13

gOOD wOrks

United Way Of Martin County
Launches Born Learning

Outdoor Trails To Promote

Early Childhood Learning
And Family Fun David Ellis and Deborah Davis
paint the trail at Shepard Park.
Learning happens everywhere a child goes, but parents,
grandparents and caregivers may not always know how to
support that learning. A team from Cleveland Clinic Martin
That won’t be the case at three parks in the city of Stuart Health painted the trail at Guy Davis
– Flagler Park, Shepard Park and the Guy Davis Sports A team from Pratt & Whitney painted the Sports Complex. Back row left to right:
Complex. United Way of Martin County in partnership with trail at Shepard Park: Deborah Davis, Maggie Ross, Amy Longar, Janie Toney,
the City of Stuart, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, Pratt & David Ellis, Chris Padrick, Cindy Cahill, Alicia Mackenzie. Front row left to right:
Whitney and SouthState Bank, created outdoor interactive Dan Murphy, Michael Counos, Mary Anne Angela Aulisio, Karen Raymond, Diane
early learning trails to help parents and caregivers turn Cannon, Frances Ferguson. Grant, Debbie HettZaugg, Kenny Mofield
excursions into fun learning moments. Natalie Desmangles painted the trail
The Born Learning Trail is a fun, easy way for parents, For more information about the Born Learning Trails, change and provide at Flagler Park.
grandparents and caregivers to use outings to build learning visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org or www.Facebook.com/ support to Martin
critical for school readiness. A series of signs offering UnitedWayMartin. County residents by investing in programs that strive to
educational games (approved by experts) guide adults on About United Way enhance healthy living, improve education and support
specific ways to create learning games outdoors and suggest United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives financial stability.
tips to use at home. by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972,
“The Born Learning Trail promotes fun and games – the United Way has been working to create long-term social
important components of early childhood learning,” said
Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, president/CEO of United Way of
Martin County. “Children are literally ‘born learning,’ and
we know that what happens in a child’s early years matters
for success in life and for school readiness.”
According to the most recent data, only 47 percent of
Martin County children are considered ready for kindergarten,
lower than the state average of 57 percent. Additionally, only
52 percent of Martin County students are reading on level by
third grade, lower than the state average of 54 percent. The Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County;
Born Learning Trail is designed to help adults interact with Commissioner Becky Bruner, city of Stuart; Angela Aulisio,
children to boost language and literacy development. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health; Amy Bottegal, SouthState Bank;
The city of Stuart is a strong supporter of the Born Learning A team from SouthState Bank and other community groups Mayor Merritt Matheson, city of Stuart; Mary Anne Cannon,
Trail. “Early childhood learning is so important and the Born painted the trail at Flagler Park. Left to right: Juliette Foster, Pratt & Whitney; David Dyess, city of Stuart; Commissioner
Learning Trails will help our community do even more to get kids Marissa Glynn, Beverly Brinkley, Natalie Desmangles, Eula Clarke, city of Stuart; Vice Mayor Troy McDonald, city
off to the right start,” said city of Stuart Mayor Merritt Matheson. Brandon Febres, and Amy Bottegal of Stuart