Reading Under the Lights

Kayley Cox • April 26, 2023

Reading Under the Lights

A few months back, our CEO interviewed me as homework for a certification she was working through at the time. She had a closed-door interview with each staff member and asked us about some of our favorite and least favorite parts of our jobs. I don’t remember the questions exactly, but at one point she asked me something along the lines of “What is something that you really enjoy doing at United Way and why?” I, of course, asked for more context but she left it up to my interpretation. I told her that I really love being part of the Reading Under the Lights programs, not because we have to, but because it is the right thing to do.

For those who may be unfamiliar, Reading Under the Lights is a literacy program that United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties (UWWH) partners with Wayne County Public Library and local school districts to host a free book gifting event. Typically, the event is held at the end of a school year, with the intent to provide books to students to read during their summer break. At the event, students from each school have the opportunity to choose their own books, based on interest, at their own varied reading levels, in an environment that encourages and celebrates reading. Depending on sponsorship donations, some schools can have students pick up to FIVE books to keep and read throughout the summer!

In the most recent version of the Kids and Family Reading Report, 8^th Edition, only half of school-age parents are aware of the idea that school-aged children lose academic skills over the period of summer break. [1] This decline in academic skills, or reading comprehension levels, is also known as the “summer slide.” One way to combat this drop in literacy levels for students is to not only provide books to students, but for them to have the autonomy or “buy-in” to select the books they will read. 93% of kids say their favorite books are the ones they picked out themselves, and 92% of kids say they are more likely to finish reading a book they have picked out themselves. I agree!

Reading is the foundation for most of what humans do throughout our lives. It is an essential function often taken for granted. Without the opportunity to learn to read at a young age, this can often set individuals back when preparing for life, post-education. Think about it. If you can’t read, you often can’t follow a formal Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in a workplace. Reading is essential when driving. You even need to be able to read when ordering from a restaurant’s menu. Reading Under the Lights brings such a value to our community by connecting our students in local schools to community libraries and organizations, while promoting positive literacy association. By investing in our youth, we are investing in our community’s future.

For more information about getting involved in Reading Under the Lights, or to bring the program to your school district, contact us at United Way (330) 264-5576.

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[1] The Summer Reading Imperative (scholastic.com)

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Answering the Call: Childcare Solutions for Working Families in Holmes County

By Katie Koglman • September 9, 2025

Answering the Call: Childcare Solutions for Working Families in Holmes County Imagine being a working parent in Holmes County with no safe, reliable place for your child before or after school. No before- or after-school care options at all. Just a desperate patchwork of relatives, friends, or the rare in-home provider, if you can find one. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties , we know community needs don’t get solved overnight. Every solution requires two things: A champion – someone to lead the work. Funding – because even the best solutions cost money. Sometimes the same organization fills both roles. More often, it takes years of partnerships and persistence. The Childcare Challenge When I joined United Way in late 2018, one need rose to the surface quickly: childcare. Both Wayne and Holmes Counties face challenges, but Holmes County was especially hard hit. In 2019, the Holmes Center for the Arts stepped up as a champion and launched before- and after-school programs at Millersburg and Killbuck Elementary Schools. Families finally had an option—until COVID disrupted everything and the program faded away. Still, the calls from parents didn’t stop. Families were desperate, not just for childcare, but for affordable childcare. A Champion Steps Forward In early 2025, a group of concerned citizens rallied around this crisis. That’s when the YMCA of Wayne County stepped forward to become our champion- utilizing a group of concerned and caring community members as an advisory board. And it was the right move. The YMCA of Wayne County has decades of experience, trained staff, and a proven track record in childcare. They know how to provide safe, credentialed before- and after-school care programs. Parents can focus on work knowing their kids are cared for. But the second question remained: who will pay for it? The Reality of Family Budgets Some might say, “Parents should just pay for childcare.” But let’s look at the numbers. A survival budget for a family of five (two adults, two school-aged children, one infant) earning $70,000 per year looks like this: Household income: $70,000 Basic survival expenses: $87,600 Budget gap: -$17,600 And that’s just for bare-bones needs like housing, food, transportation, and childcare. It doesn’t even include clothes, school supplies, internet access, or extracurricular activities. Families are working hard, but the math simply doesn’t add up. Side note: Who is Alice? Why does this reference an ALICE Household or ALICE Budget ? Our Role – We Help That’s where United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties steps in. We work alongside the YMCA of Wayne County to provide childcare scholarships for families who are working but earning too much to qualify for government aid—and not nearly enough to make ends meet. In August, our Board of Directors approved a $24,000 grant to the YMCA of Wayne County to launch affordable before- and after-school care in Millersburg. Thanks to this support, parents won’t have to choose between childcare and food. But here’s the truth: $24,000 doesn’t last long. The need is bigger than one grant. You Can Help too… Every child deserves a safe place to learn and grow, and every parent deserves the peace of mind that their kids are cared for. You can be part of the solution. Donate: Text WeHelp to 44-321 or CLICK HERE to support families in our community. Get Involved: Interested in shaping the future of childcare locally? Contact ashley@uwwh.org to join the advisory committee. Together, we can answer both questions: Who will be the champion? Who will pay for it? With your support, the answer is all of us.

What I learned at the Gas Station Counter; how my daily routine turned into a moment of compassion

By Katie Koglman • August 22, 2025

If you know me, you know I love my Coke Zero. Every day, like clockwork, I stop at the local gas station to fill my jumbo cup with ice and fizzy joy. It’s a small routine, but one that I look forward to. Last week, as I stepped up to the counter, I noticed the young woman working that morning was gently rubbing her temples, clearly in pain. I paused and asked, “Are you okay?” Her eyes welled up a little as she explained that she had a broken tooth. The pain was constant, and she didn’t have the money to see a dentist. My heart ached for her. I asked if she had transportation, and when she said yes, I told her about the Viola Startzman Clinic in Wooster — a place that offers affordable dental care for people just like her. She blinked in surprise. She had no idea it even existed. I scribbled down the phone number and urged her to call right away. She held the paper like it was gold. Then she looked at me and said, “You’re a Godsend.” As I walked back to my car, I thought about how it only took a minute — one question, one small effort — to change someone’s day, maybe even their life. There were other people in that store. They hadn’t noticed. But I did. And I’m so glad I did. We live in a community rich with resources. But the truth is, people in pain don’t always know where to turn. Sometimes, all they need is a little nudge in the right direction. A moment of kindness. A reminder that someone sees them. This young woman is doing her best, working hard, and showing up every day — even through the pain. She deserved help. And I’m thankful I could offer it. If you ever meet someone who’s struggling, don’t hesitate. Let them know about 2-1-1 — our local, 24/7 resource hotline. One simple call to (330) 263-6363 connects them to a live operator who can guide them toward the help they need. Because kindness costs nothing, but it can mean everything. And here’s the beautiful part — donations made to United Way of Wayne and Holmes Counties help make all of this possible. Your support funds the Viola Startzman Dental Clinic, the 2-1-1 resource hotline, and so many other programs that offer real help to real people. When you give, you’re not just donating — you’re changing lives.