United Way launches ‘Caught Being Good’

Category: 'Y' Published on Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:50 Written by Courier Newsroom Hits: 10383

The United Way launched “Caught Being Good,” last month, an initiative created to combat the pervading anti-education message that sometimes influences youths in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The launch was in Homewood at Faison Elementary School Oct. 22, with other dates Oct. 30 and Nov. 11.

CAUGHT BEING GOOD— From left: Fred Thieman, co-chair, Pittsburgh Youth Futures Commission and president, Buhl Foundation; Charles Moffatt, Allegheny County Police superintendant; Nate Harper, Pittsburgh chief of police; Bob Nelkin, president and chief professional officer, United Way of Allegheny County; and Erikka Jones, head of Afterschool Programs, Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Present for the launching were Fred Thieman, co-chair, Pittsburgh Youth Futures Commission and president, Buhl Foundation; Charles Moffatt, Allegheny County Police superintendant; Nate Harper, Pittsburgh chief of police; Bob Nelkin, president and chief professional officer, United Way of Allegheny County; and Erikka Jones, head of Afterschool Programs, Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The program is a community mobilization initiative to support, celebrate and sustain academic efforts and success. With “Caught Being Good,” children will earn points toward incentives for behavior such as perfect attendance, homework completion and academic improvement.