June 08, 2011

Manchin meets with WV native Jennifer Garner about Save the Children program

Manchin Meets with West Virginia Native Jennifer Garner and Advocates for "Save the Children"

**Photo, Video and Audio Available**

VIDEO is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dfOKhX3Fg

AUDIO is available here: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/manchin/060811_MANCHIN.mp3

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today met with West Virginia native Jennifer Garner, artist ambassador for Save the Children; Mark Shriver, Vice President and Managing Director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children; and additional representatives from the organization to discuss Save the Children’s progress in West Virginia since their educational program was implemented in the state last year. 

West Virginia is the 15th state in the country to participate in a Save the Children educational program, which provides impoverished children with quality early education and literacy education, as well as physical activities and proper nutrition. 

“As a Governor, a Senator and a public servant, I know that a child who gets an early start in education is able to grow into a productive adult,” Senator Manchin said. “We cannot diversify our economy unless our children have strong educational backgrounds—I think we all know that. I am so thankful that my two friends Jennifer (Garner) and Mark (Shriver) brought Save the Children to West Virginia, and we are going to work together here on Capitol Hill to get other states involved.”

A total of 485 students have received direct literacy services from Save the Children during the first school semester. Another 500 students have received benefits from developing partnerships. The kindergarten through sixth grade students who participate in afterschool programs through Save the Children receive an additional 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity four times a week. 

In addition, the Early Steps to School Success (ESSS) program provides early childhood education services to pregnant women and children up to five years in age, education services to parents, and ongoing staff training to the community early educators. Each ESSS program is expected to recruit and enroll 20 pregnant women and children under the age of 3. Currently, each program is working very closely with local communities to reach full enrollment and expect this to be completed in the very near future.  

Caption: Jennifer Garner, Senator Joe Manchin (D-W Va.) and Mark Shriver. 

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