Thursday, May 23, 2024 / St. Louis, Missouri – YWCA Metro St. Louis is proud to announce that Sharon Herbert has been selected as the 2024 Missouri Head Start Support Staff of the Year.
Sharon Herbert, volunteer specialist with YWCA Metro St. Louis Head Start since 2002, has been chosen as the 2024 Missouri Head Start Support Staff of the Year. She will be honored at the Region VII Head Start Association Award Recognition Luncheon on Tuesday, June 4. This event will highlight the significant achievements of Head Start staff who have made a substantial impact on early childhood education and family support.
“For years, Sharon has ensured that YWCA employees, parents, and community organizations have been nominated for Head Start awards and scholarships,” said Stacy Johnson, Chief Program Officer/Head Start Director, at YWCA Metro St. Louis. “Her dedication to recognizing the efforts and achievements of others has been invaluable to our community.”
In addition to Sharon’s recognition, Lauren Bowers, a participant of YWCA Metro St. Louis’ Prenatal Services program and Head Start parent, received a Head Start Parent Scholarship. Lauren’s dedication to her family and the program exemplifies the positive impact Head Start has on our community.
Both Sharon and Lauren were honored at the Missouri Head Start Association Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon in Jefferson City on Thursday, May 9. This event celebrated the significant achievements of Head Start staff, volunteers, and parents who have made substantial contributions to early childhood education and family support.
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the largest provider of direct Head Start services in the state of Missouri and the largest Head Start grantee in St. Louis City and County, currently serving more than 1,233 children and their families. In 2022, YWCA Metro St. Louis received the 5-year National Program of Excellence accreditation from the National Head Start Association. In 2021, Stacy Johnson was named Administrator of the Year by the Missouri Head Start Association.