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Two years ago The Norfolk Foundation identified early childhood education as a priority for its discretionary grantmaking. Since then the Foundation has supported the construction of early learning centers, provided administrative support for volunteers who read to children and joined with United Way's Success by Six to sponsor a parent-child reading initiative in Head Start centers. The Foundation has invested more than $620,000 in these and other projects that support the youngest members of our community.

For most of us going back to school was an exciting time full of new and rekindled friendships and the promise of academic success. It is sad that one out of five children in our region starts kindergarten academically behind because of inadequate preparation during the preschool years. Studies show that these children will struggle in reading and that those who don't master it by third grade are more likely to drop out of school and earn less throughout their lives. Lack of education and adult illiteracy plague not only individuals but also the workplace and ultimately the economic prospects of our region.

In October the Foundation will present a nationally recognized expert on school readiness at the first event in its new Community Matters series. Speaking at the October 14 luncheon will be David Lawrence Jr., former publisher of the Miami Herald, who tackled the issue of school readiness with great success in Florida. As a result, Florida will offer universal pre-kindergarten education to four-year-olds beginning in 2005

This year Community Matters is designed to raise awareness about the critical importance of early childhood education. In future years it will focus on other matters of concern to the citizens of Hampton Roads. I am pleased that SunTrust is the exclusive corporate underwriter for the first Community Matters luncheon, which the Foundation is producing in partnership with Voices for Virginia's Children.

My hope is that this event will be a springboard for a region wide commitment to give our region's youngest citizens the foundation for academic success that they and our community need.

Back to Fall 2003 Newsletter Index