STEPS Head Start Programs Involve Entire Community

CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE – STEPS Head Start operates in eight counties and holds community/male involvement events at each site throughout the year to express the importance of male involvement in a child’s life.

The purpose of these events is to expose children to community helpers and to have male participation with the children. Steps Charlotte Head Start has male involvement events throughout the year to express the importance of male involvement in a child’s life.

“This particular event at our Charlotte County site was the first of its size and we had an amazing turnout from the community; events like these do not happen without many volunteers,” said STEPS Vice President of Early Childhood Education Jessica Lehman. “We had Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department bring police cruisers to show the children, Charlotte Court House, Red House and Drakes Branch Fire Departments brought fire trucks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office was on site talking about nutrition, the Adult Learning Center had volunteers reading to the children, Drakes Branch councilman James Gregory was in attendance speaking to parents, Mary Easley served as our Easter Bunny, and parents and grandparents donated items and volunteered.”

Head Start programs promote school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by supporting their development in a comprehensive way. Through relationships with adults, planned play  and spontaneous instruction, children grow in many aspects of development. “Children progress in social skills and emotional well-being, along with language and literacy learning, and concept development when exposed to events like this,” added Lehman. “We know it is an honor and a privilege to be part of the lives of the children and families we serve. The STEPS Head Start staff cannot do it alone and events like this showcase what an amazing area we live in.”