ARIZONA NEWS

PNC’s Grow up Great program prepares young kids for long-term success

Aug 18, 2021, 5:00 PM | Updated: May 11, 2023, 12:19 pm

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on PNC’s Grow up Great program dedicated to setting children ages 0-to-5 up for long-term success in school and life.

PNC developed and has been supporting the Grow up Great Initiative through $500 million over the past 15 years, according to PNC Bank Regional President Cathleen Walker, as research has shown the first five years of life is critical to long-term achievement.

“It’s a huge investment on our collective futures,” Walker said. “The long-term benefit is key here. Research has shown for every dollar spent on quality early-education, more broadly society can reap up to $16 in long-term savings from that.

“In terms of, less social services provided to people as they could become more self-independent and providing early success. Education helps get jobs and provides a better pool of labor for everyone.”

The program also caters to early education teachers with resources available online available to use.

“We have a lot of free resources available to teachers through the Grow up Great program online and otherwise that people could use, and we also work through organizations to find ways to support teachers throughout different communities,” Walker said, as well as various free resources such as book drives and bilingual lesson plans.

PNC has partnered with First Things First, working throughout all of Arizona to provide quality childcare, as well as Southwest Human Development in Phoenix that has a large head-start program.

“There are lots of ways that we work with other organizations in providing grants and support toward that. We also provide a lot of volunteer opportunities for our employees to participate with children as appropriate where there are needs.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Desert Ridge Photo)...

KTAR.com

Dog-friendly The Backyard to open location at Desert Ridge in north Phoenix

The Backyard, an indoor/outdoor sports bar, is slated to open on Tatum Boulevard at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Scottsdale in 2024.

8 hours ago

(Facebook Photo/Experience Fountain Hills)...

KTAR.com

Fountain Hills joins dementia-friendly community network

Fountain Hills has joined the Dementia Friendly America program, a national network that seeks to ensure communities are equipped to support people with dementia and their caregivers.

8 hours ago

The number of people driving more than 90 minutes to get to work has dropped in the Valley. (Jim Po...

Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix metro follows national trend as number of ‘super commuters’ declines

The number of people traveling more than 90 minutes to get to work in the Phoenix metro has dropped by 36% since 2019.

8 hours ago

(Facebook File Photo/Glendale Police Department - Arizona)...

KTAR.com

Elderly woman kills husband in Glendale amid domestic dispute

Police in Glendale are investigating a murder of an elderly man who was reportedly shot by his wife on Saturday.

1 day ago

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS...

Associated Press

Biden, GOP reach tentative deal to raise debt ceiling, avoid calamitous US default

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached an “agreement in principle” late Saturday as they raced to strike a deal to limit federal spending and resolve the looming debt crisis, the House speaker said.

1 day ago

(ADOT Twitter photo)...

KTAR.com

I-17 southbound at Dunlap Road reopens in Phoenix after crash

Arizona Department of Transportation announced Saturday night that the I-17 southbound at Dunlap Road in Phoenix has reopened after a crash..

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

(Photo: OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center)...

OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center

Here’s what you need to know about OCD and where to find help

It's fair to say that most people know what obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders generally are, but there's a lot more information than meets the eye about a mental health diagnosis that affects about one in every 100 adults in the United States.

(Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona Photo)...

Desert Institute for Spine Care in Arizona

5 common causes for chronic neck pain

Neck pain can debilitate one’s daily routine, yet 80% of people experience it in their lives and 20%-50% deal with it annually.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Company looking for oldest air conditioner and wants to reward homeowner with new one

Does your air conditioner make weird noises or a burning smell when it starts? If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement.

PNC’s Grow up Great program prepares young kids for long-term success