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"To provide diverse support services for all members of the Southeast Polk community to help individuals become safer, healthier and self-sufficient." |
- Jump Start
is a free summer session focusing on school readiness for children entering any Southeast Polk kindergarten. Jump Start is for children who have had little or no preschool, although your child may be able to attend if additional assistance is needed to be ready for kindergarten.
Jump Start will be held at Delaware Elementary School Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 1:00. Breakfast and lunch will be included. The dates are June 25-28; July 2-3, 9-12, 16-19, 23-26; Aug. 1.
This program is funded through Early Childhood Iowa. Call Jackie at 266-6795 for more information or to register.
- Kids' Cafe
Join us for our 8th year of FREE Kids' Cafe summer lunch and literacy activities. Sessions are 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday/Wednesday, June 4-27 at Delaware Elementary; and Tuesday/Thursday, June 5-28 at Mitchellville Elementary. Activities include a healthy lunch, reading, learning, crafts, and games. Central Place staff and local volunteers lead the activities. Open to any SEP student, ages 4 (by September 15) to 5th grade (in fall).Click here to register.
Want to volunteer at Kids' Cafe? We use volunteers to lead games, guide crafts, read books, serve lunch, and interact with the students.Call us at 515-266-6795 for more information.
- New Shoes for You!
In our 13th year, New Shoes for You provides eligible students with new tennis shoes and socks for physical education so they can be a step ahead. If your children are enrolled in a SEP school and qualify for free/reduced meals, you may receive help with tennis shoes. Distribution is Sunday, August 12, 6:30-9 p.m. at Payless Shoe Source, Altoona. Families must register in advance by Friday, August 3. Click here to register.
Want to volunteer for New Shoes for You? Volunteers are needed to assist with distribution on August 12. Call us at 515-266-6795 for more information.
- School Supply Giveaway
We believe every child has the potential to learn, and some need help with the tools for success. This year marks our 17th School Supply Giveaway! If your children are enrolled in a SEP school and qualify for free/reduced meals, you may receive help with school supplies. Distribution is Wednesday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clay Elementary. Families must register in advance by Friday, August 3. Click here to register,
Want to volunteer for School Supply Giveaway? Volunteers are needed to assist with filling backpacks with supplies the week of July 30 and distribution on August 8. Call us at 515-266-6795 for more information.
- Beautiful Bilingual Books
The Read To Me Foundation (www.readtomefoundation.org), based in Des Moines, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute free, new, hardover bilingual (English/Spanish) children's books. Central Place was selected to receive 200 new books, to be distributed to those who participate in our programs. The books were presented by Dondino Melchiorre, foundation president, and Donna Gummelt, co-founder and director. Dondino's interest in children's literacy stems from his experience of moving to the United States from Italy as a child, and struggling to learn the language. The titles included, The Cookie Story (Cuent de Galletas), My Sunshine Friend (Una Amistad Brillante), and Is Santa Color Blind?, with two of the books including a musical CD containing songs by Dondino. Another 200 (100 The Cookie Story and 100 My Sunshine Friend) were delivered inside the book bags courtesy of a Prairie Meadows grant.
- School Supply Giveaway
Kit McDowell, Altoona Lion's Club, presented Central Place with a donation of $600, used to offset purchases for the 16th annual School Supply Giveaway. In addition, Cargill Inc. provided $4,000 to support the School Supply Giveaway, and its employees also volunteered during preparation and distribution for the program. Although local families are still picking up supplies, so far approximately 550 students have received assistance with school supplies. This is the first year families have had to meet income guidelines in order to receive assistance.
- New Shoes for You!
Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, and the local Payless Shoes store, Southeast Polk children whose families met income guidelines were also eligible to receive assistance with a new pair of tennis shoes for physical education class. The anonymous donor underwrote most of the expenses of the program, which has, at initial estimates, served approximately 420 children. Additional community members provided cash donations, which allowed Central Place to purchase the shoes.
