United Way Announces New Chairs of Success By 6® Advisory Council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 25, 2006

Media Contact: Michelle Wade

203.772.2010, Ext.202
mwade@uwgnh.org

United Way of Greater New Haven has named two new Chairs to its Success By 6 Advisory Council. Dr. Cheryl S. Saloom and Dr. John Leventhal, both accomplished professionals in the fields of childcare and education, will guide a team of over 25 professionals on the Advisory Council of United Way’s early childhood initiative. Success By 6 works to improve the educational disparities of our region through the promotion of leadership, dialogue, public policy and regional planning involving early childhood-related issues.

Dr. Cheryl S. Saloom, former Executive Director of ACES in Hamden has an extensive background in the field of education. In addition to over a decade of experience in special education, professional development and curriculum development, Saloom holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Columbia University. She is the founding member of the ACES Education Foundation and the Founding President. Saloom also serves on both the United Way of Greater New Haven Board of Directors and the Successful Children & Youth Action Team. Saloom is a resident of Avon, CT.

Dr. John Leventhal, Professor of Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, has been at Yale-New Haven Hospital since 1978. He is a Board-certified Pediatrician and Medical Director of the Yale Child Sexual Abuse Clinic and Child Abuse programs, including a large prevention program at the Children’s Hospital. Leventhal is a graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and a research fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. In addition to his work at Yale, Leventhal has participated in many community activities, including the Board of Directors of Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven and the Commission on Infant and Child Health and advisory groups for the Department of Children and Families. Leventhal is a resident of New Haven.

“As an educator in New Haven County, I have always been committed to providing quality education to children, from pre- school through high school, says Saloom. The issues
surrounding early care and education are multi layered and are critical to the healthy and successful growth of a family and of a community. I believe that the work of United Way, through its Success By 6 initiative, demonstrates that an active and committed public can move forward a critical agenda in our community.”

Leventhal adds, “I believe that Success By 6 can help our community in three critical ways. First, it can energize and focus our community on the developmental needs of young children and how we can improve services; Second, it can help identify promising programs that need funding and support so that these programs can be expanded to meet children's needs; and third, it can help to raise money through the United Way for these efforts.”

Together, Saloom and Leventhal will lead the Advisory Council to help advance the impact of Success By 6 on the Greater New Haven community and guide its work to address the regional opportunities to improve early childhood education.

About Success By 6®:
Success By 6 is the nation’s largest community based movement of public and private partners that work together to improve outcomes for children. In September 2004, United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) became one of over 360 United Ways throughout the United States and Canada to adopt the initiative. UWGNH is committed to ensuring that the children of this region are ready to learn when they enter school and have a solid foundation for lifelong success.

About United Way:
United Way brings together the caring power of our community to create measurable, sustainable change and to improve lives. To do this we: help identify our region's greatest needs and best opportunities for change; raise dollars and invest those dollars for results; connect people to their caring through volunteer opportunities.

More information about Success By 6 or United Way of Greater New Haven's community leadership and how you can help please visit http://www.uwgnh.org/.

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