In the small town of Aurora, a large public mural celebrating early learning is going up.
The mural’s ribbon-cutting will double as an early learning activity day, complete with book giveaways, literacy kits and additional book distributions through popular community events like the town’s annual Santa Breakfast. It’s one of many ways United Way of Southeast Indiana – a regional arm of United Way of Greater Cincinnati – is reaching children and families through Early Years Initiative (EYI) funding received in late 2024.
Karen Snyder is director of the small but mighty office that’s finding innovative ways to reach the area’s youngest learners and the adults who care for them.
“We were looking for alternative ways to meet 2- and 3 -year-olds where they are – beyond traditional pre-school settings,” Snyder said.
So, United Way launched the ReadyRosie program in Dearborn and Ohio counties. ReadyRosie is a yearlong digital subscription that delivers short, 30-second videos to parents’ phones, offering simple, everyday activities that build early literacy, math and language skills. Designed for busy families, the videos turn ordinary moments like cooking dinner, folding laundry and car rides into meaningful learning opportunities.
“It’s fast, it’s simple and it meets families right where they are,” Snyder said. “A lot of people work from home or are juggling multiple responsibilities. This gives them easy teaching moments without adding stress.”
To complement the digital content, United Way also distributes hands-on early learning kits filled with books, games and simple materials so children can physically engage with what they’re learning. The ReadyRosie program is supported through in-person sign-ups at community events.
“In-person is still the best way,” Snyder said. “Once families get enrolled , they stay enrolled.”
Today, 73 children are participating in the program , with a long-term goal of reaching 200. Many of the families supported are led by grandparents and great-grandparents, an increasingly common reality in southeast Indiana. The team also assists caregivers with technology when needed to ensure families can fully access the program.
United Way placed four “Talking Is Teaching” early learning panels throughout the city of Greendale, each featuring QR codes that link families to local resources. Six more panels are on the way and will be installed across parks throughout Dearborn County and neighboring areas, expanding access to families who may not travel into city centers.
“It’s about visibility,” Snyder said. “We want families to see these signs and think, ‘Oh yeah, I remember that,’ and then take the next step.”
United Way has also branched into library-based early learning programming with retired teachers and the Al’s Pals social-emotional curriculum adapted for younger children. The sessions offer face-to-face engagement for families who benefit from in-person interaction alongside the digital resources.
The need for innovation in early childhood education has never been greater, Snyder said.
“We’re losing child care providers, we have waiting lists and family structures are changing,” she said. “We have parents working multiple jobs and limited child care options. If we don’t get creative, families will fall through the cracks.”
As the program continues to grow, United Way is exploring bulk ReadyRosie subscriptions for preschool centers, partnerships with local schools during kindergarten roundups and expanded community outreach.
“The more people see what we’re doing, the more they realize help is right here,” Snyder said. “Early learning doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It just has to be accessible.”
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