I have been
directly impacted by two programs that receive funding from the Berkshire
United Way, so it’s always been very easy for me to see the impact that they
have on the community. When our daughter was born, Berkshire Nursing Families
visited our room almost immediately to assist my wife and me. We had many
questions and concerns, and they were there to make sure we were equipped with
the information we needed to make nursing successful. Not only were they there
after the delivery, they offer routine follow up visits. Without the support of
this program, I truly feel we would not have had such an amazing experience.
The second
organization we worked with was Childcare of the Berkshires. Among the many
things they do, Childcare of the Berkshires hosts play groups for children of
all ages. The groups are structured with activities designed to prepare
children for the next steps in their lives. When our daughter was 2, I began
bringing her to these groups where she learned social skills, and a love for
reading through story time. Childcare of the Berkshires also taught me HOW to
read to my daughter in a way that would ensure her comprehension of the story.
These reading habits have put my daughter in a position to succeed, and I am
extremely grateful for that.
The driving
force behind me in this campaign is the joy I received from the efforts of
these organizations and Berkshire United Way. I look forward to opening the
possibilities for stories like mine to occur in other families throughout Berkshire
County and invite you to learn more by reading the weekly posts on this blog.
Gregory
Dieterich
Workplace Campaign Executive
Workplace Campaign Executive
