Spartanburg Born Learning Resource Centers receive national award

United Way of the Piedmont announced that the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organizations has given the Award of Merit in Housing and Community Development to the local Born Learning Resource Center initiative.

This initiative is the result of a partnership between United Way of the Piedmont, the Spartanburg Housing Authority, Mary Black Foundation, USC Upstate, and Emerge Family Therapy. The Born Learning Resource Centers are designed to help parents understand the importance of early learning for children ages birth to five. The Centers are staffed with Childhood Development students from USC Upstate and play therapists from Emerge Family Therapy, in order to engage parents in taking advantage of every day learning opportunities as well as teaching educational play.

There are two Born Learning Resource Centers in Spartanburg, both located in Spartanburg Housing Authority affordable housing communities, making it easy and convenient for families living in these neighborhoods to access the Centers.

Executive Director of the Spartanburg Housing Authority, Terril Bates, says, “This recognition reinforces the value that we place on community partnerships. We are honored to receive the award and wish to express our gratitude to all of the volunteers and partners who have made this program possible. Most importantly, the parents who choose to participate in the program deserve the greatest recognition. They are making an investment in their children through Born Learning.”

Spartanburg Housing Authority Connections Coordinator, Natalie Hurd, and a resident who participates in the Born Learning program, Tchenavia Jonte Singleton who is the mother of twin eight month old boys and a three year old girl, traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana to receive the award at the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organizations’ Summer Conference in mid-July.

To learn more about the Born Learning initiative, please visit United Way’s website at: www.uwpiedmont.org/bornlearning

About United Way of the Piedmont

United Way of the Piedmont is a local nonprofit that fights for the education, financial stability, and health of every member of our community. Our mission is to connect, engage and inspire people to transform our community. We are more than fundraisers. We forge unique partnerships, find new solutions to old problems, and mobilize the best resources by inspiring others to join the fight. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to not just survive, but to thrive.