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WOLFE from Front Page

our own communities. Public service or community service is not the duty of a few, but of us all.
     I have read the book "Ghosts from the Nursery" and was deeply moved by its contents. Another eye-opening book is "Jack and Jill, Why They
Kill: Saving our Children, Saving Ourselves" by James E. Shaw. Both of these publications stress that our children form their view of the world and their coping mechanisms based on the quality and consistency of care they receive in the earliest years.
   A newborn is capable of becoming a citizen of any community. He or she is a universal linguist. Each child will selectively adapt to the culture, language and social customs of the adults in the immediate family circle.
   Hopefully, the parents can be the first teachers for this child.
   However, often parents are unable or not available to step up to this task. This is not a project that can be put on hold or wait until someone "gets around to it." The young child cries out for immediate attention so that he or she is ready to move into society by school age.
   We need heroes who will protect and safely guide these young members of our community into productive learning

own experience, we know that this is not true.
   Therefore, it is important that we look at the messages and the quality and consistency of care we are providing our young children. We also must improve the training of their caregivers so they can nurture safe, healthy, well-adjusted members of our communities.
   Policies and procedures must change to make sure that everybody is ready for school by age 5. Kiwanis members and many more concerned citizens are asking you to get involved in the formation of these future citizens of the Downriver community.
  Everybody Ready! is an excellent place to begin.
   Mary Lou Wolfe, a retired medical instructor, recently completed a master of arts degree in written communications from Eastern Michigan University. She is an adult literacy volunteer and chairwoman of the Young Children Priority One Committee for the Kiwanis Club of Southgate.

BALTMAN from Page 3

Everybody Ready! --
Non-Profit
Organization based in the Southern Wayne County Region


Our Vision

All children will be physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually prepared to enter kindergarten "Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed, Ready for Life," through the love, nurture and support of their families, their caregivers and their community.



Our Mission

Everybody Ready engages the community to support families and caregivers as they meet the needs of children 0-5.

PILARSKI from Page 3

that he holds inside are there to help him trust that other relationships can be holding ones, too.
    Next week: How you and your infant/child's childcare provider can work together to support "relationship strength" development in your infant, toddler and preschooler.
   Kathleen Baltman directs the Caring for Kids Initiative of The Guidance Center, including A Circle of Caring, a child care expulsion prevention program, offering consultation support for parents and child care providers working together to promote social-emotional health and well-being for infants and young children.

Park, Melvindale, Allen Park, River Rouge, Romulus, Belleville, Van Buren Township and Sumpter Township.
    The centers are operated by The Guidance Center, a leader in addressing the needs of children and families.
   Angela Pilarski is the director of Head Start at The Guidance Center. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in administration.

ready to learn   •   ready to succeed   •   ready for life