Susie Allen said The Gladys Project’s new director has jumped right in.

“She’s already decorated the office!” Allen said, who is president of the board, about Amy Trisler Adkins.

The Gladys Project is a non-profit early childhood learning and kindergarten preparedness program that began out of a vision by Elaine Wilson-Reddy.

“She had this idea, developed it, and we really got going in the summer of 2016,” Allen said. “We’ve been active with families since then.”

Wilson-Reddy left the organization about a year ago, and was replaced by a director who was there around 10 months, Allen said.

“This is the only position, it’s a one-man-show,” Allen said. The project has volunteers it works with who work with families and children for sessions involving reading, working on colors, shapes, numbers, letters and matching, and much more.

Adkins has a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Education from Georgetown College, and more than 16 years of experience working with children and families, Allen said.

“Amy was formerly an elementary school teacher in Anderson County and the director of His Kids Christian Learning Center in Harrodsburg.” In addition, Adkins holds an Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential from the Kentucky Division of Child Care. Adkins and her husband, Tim, reside in Salvisa with their two daughters.

The Gladys Project, a Heart of Kentucky United Way Partner, believes that the most important task of any community is to prepare its children to be successful in school and in life.  By giving our children the tools they need to build successful lives, we are building successful communities.

“Adkins had the maturity and experience that we needed,” Allen said.

The organization is always looking for volunteers, she said.

“It’s only a one-hour commitment a week. You have one family per one volunteer, unless someone wants to take more families. It’s a 30-min session,” she said.

The Gladys Project is on Crescent Drive in Danville, in the Housing Authority’s facility. They share an office with Greenhouse 17, formerly the Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program.

“The Housing authority has been so kind, they give us space and utilities in kind — they donate that to us, it’s been so helpful.” Allen said being a partner with United Way also helps fund the program. “We depend on them quite a bit.”

Board members include Katy Bramel, Melinda Weathers, Wayne Burke, Wes Bratcher and Tena Messer.

Anyone interested in volunteering or participating as a family can email thegladysproject@gmail.com, call (859) 209-1618 or contact them on Facebook.

SO YOU KNOW

Check back for an upcoming In Focus feature about The Gladys Project, showing first-hand how they work with children and families through volunteers.