Tiffany Dunlap, of Lake Orion, is a lot of things. She’s a young woman, a mother, a recent a high school graduate and she is also considered a United Way success story.
She was chosen, along with eight other individuals and one school, to help the United Way for Southeastern Michigan kick off their 59th Annual Torch Drive campaign, which was held on Sept. 7.
Participants were selected through either the assistance that they have received from United Way and its partners, or the time they have donated for these organizations.
For Dunlap, 19, United Way has made a huge impact on not only her life, but also the life of her young daughter, Tijenae.
Dunlap enrolled in the early literacy program, supported by the Women’s Initiative, about two years ago, after the birth of her daughter.
‘The program helps with Tijenae’s development and my own,? said Tiffany. ‘It helps me set goals and make sure I have the resources I need to be a good parent.?
According to Dunlap, her daughter’s language skills were developing slowly, but since she has begun receiving in-home reading instruction and exposure to various educational toys, Tijenae has made incredible progress.
Now, she frequently asks her mom and other adults to read to her, is able to identify shapes and colors, and has expanded her vocabulary noticeably.
Tijenae is not the only one that has benefited from the program’s influences, as Dunlap has recently graduated from high school and is currently studying to become a medical assistant.
According to the United Way, research shows that quality early education is crucial to a child’s success in school, work and life and minimizes the risk of future behaviors, including criminal activity.
United Way’s Women’s Initiative works with local partners to provide in-home early literacy programming designed to develop language skills from birth.
The Initiative has already helped 100 families, Dunlap and her daughter included, throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
‘These stories of success illustrate the impact United Way makes on this community every day,? said Michael J. Brennan, President and CEO, United Way for Southeastern Michigan. ‘As we work toward creating lasting change in this region, these individuals demonstrate the progress already being made.?
United Way’s Torch Drive helps support hundreds of programs and services devoted to nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, promoting health and wellness, and empowering neighborhoods and communities throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
For more information on how you can help the effors, visit them online at www.onewaytohelp.org.