Never too old to learn

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LEWISTOWN - The well-known saying "you are never too old to learn" has taken on new meaning for a recently formed civic engagement initiative in Pennsylvania.

Seniors4Kids brings older Americans together under a common goal - to advocate for early childhood learning in Pennsylvania, said local teacher Bernard Chatman, who serves as the Central PA lead captain4Kids.

"Seniors4Kids ... calls for investments in high quality early education and care," Chatman said. "As older Americans, we want to make it clear that this commonwealth cannot afford the long-term cost that would accompany cuts to pre-k(indergarten) programs."

The first challenge for the new Pennsylvania group has been to urge legislators to fund early childhood programs through the 2009-2010 state budget, Chatman said. Although the budget passed in September, the state still is working to distribute funds, and Seniors4Kids volunteers are keeping their eyes and ears open as the process continues, he said.

Seniors4Kids has volunteers at the federal, state and local levels examining educational funding issues and reminding officials, "Don't forget our kids!" Chatman said.

As the captains contact decisionmakers, Seniors4Kids has developed relationships with several local politicians, Chatman said.

One of the group's main goals is to educate policymakers about early childhood education and to inform them of needs, said Yvonne Thompson-Friend, the state coordinator for Seniors4Kids.

Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, has kept an "open-door policy" with Seniors4Kids, both providing and accepting information from the group, Chatman said.

"I'd like to thank Sen. Corman," Chatman said. "We're so appreciative of him giving us information and working ... to ensure preschool funding is adequate."

Because Seniors4Kids is a new group in Pennsylvania, Chatman said they are beginning to connect with legislators and actively seek volunteers.

Being a volunteer is not hard, Chatman said.

"Knock on a door, send an e-mail or make a phone call to let (legislators) know that we won't settle for less than the best for ... our children throughout Central Pennsylvania," he said.

Thompson-Friend added, "Take five minutes to tell a friend the importance of early education or write a letter to the local newspaper or call your local legislator."

Friend said seniors may seem like an "unlikely ally" to early childhood education.

But Chatman said, what grandparent does not want the best education for their grandchild?

Chatman's district encompasses nine counties, including Mifflin, Juniata, Perry and Huntingdon.

Seniors4Kids was established through Generations United, a national organization focused on improving the lives of children, youth and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs and public policies, according to the non-profit group's Web site, www.gu.org.

The group's goals are to increase public and political awareness of the powerful role older adults play in child advocacy, present an effective advocacy model for older adult engagement on behalf of children's issues, and provide materials and training for state and local organizations to implement effective programs connecting older adults and children and youth, according to the group's Web site, www.seniors4kids.org.

Citizens age 50 and older who are interested in volunteering may contact Chatman at centralpacaptain4kids@live.com.

"We are a watchdog organization, advocating for a better life for our young children," Chatman said.