TO: Dowling Catholic Community & St. Joseph's Academy and Dowling High School Alumni

FROM: Diane Dorow Eoriatti Elliott - SJA Class of 1965 515-577-9627, [email protected]

RE: Maureen Begley Tiffany Book Drive ______

As many of you know, Maureen was passionate about Early Childhood initiatives and focused on creating programs in this area during her 27 years of employment with United Way. She was instrumental in raising nearly $50 million in state and grant funds through Early Childhood Iowa and a preschool earmark grant from Senator Harkin for which she lobbied in Washington, DC. She championed many causes at United Way, however, the last 11 years of her career were focused on expanding and improving access to quality early childhood education programs, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

On October 23, 2014, 11 preschool classrooms and a section of the library, named Family Lending, at the new Jesse Franklin Taylor Education Center (formerly Casady School) were dedicated in honor of Maureen. Although her focus was on helping children in Des Moines, she was recognized nationally as a leading advocate for our youngest students. Therefore, I am initiating a book drive for children ages 0-5 as a tribute to Maureen's hard work and devotion to these children.

I am working in unison with Des Moines Public Schools, United Way, Dowling Catholic and the alumni of the classes of 1965 in an effort to carry forward Maureen's lifework. I am seeking your help by requesting donations of new and gently used books between now and July 30, 2015. Books may be dropped off at the reception desk at the J. F. Taylor Education Center located at 1801 - 16th Street in Des Moines during the hours 8:00 am to 3:30 pm week days. Each book will be stamped (as below) indicating the purpose of the book drive:

Maureen's commitment, caring and compassion for her work with low-income families truly reflects the values of Dowling Catholic High School, Des Moines Public Schools and United Way. She was an inspiration and an amazing role model for students and people of all ages. Please join me in helping to ensure her work will be carried forward.

Other contacts: Susan Guest, Early Childhood Programs Coordinator for the Des Moines Public Schools - 515-323-8667 Mary Daily Lange, United Way - 515-246-6551

Maureen Begley Tiffany, SJA `65

Maureen Tiffany began her United Way career in 1985 as an intern in the former Planning and Allocations department, as part of her Master of Social Work program with the University of Iowa. She remained with United Way for 27 year, leading work to improve the community’s network of early learning centers for children in low-income neighborhoods. In fact, she was the first United Way employee to be dedicated to emerging Community Impact Work. She served nobly and faithfully under five United Way presidents.

At one point, she managed 105 community programs. She believed in the importance of measuring program and community outcomes, making United Way the community leader in quantifying the great work the organization does.

Maureen was revered for her ability to forge community-wide partnerships in our work. She was equally respected in schools, the halls of state government, and in the homes of the children for whom she worked so hard. Maureen was instrumental in the creation of a community-wide strategy for early childhood and was instrumental in raising nearly $50 million in state and grant funds through Early Childhood Iowa and a preschool earmark grant from Senator Harkin, which she lobbied for in Washington, DC on several occasions.

She championed many causes at United Way, and the last 11 years of her career were focused on improving the quality of child care for children in low-income neighborhoods. Maureen took this most unglamorous and unknown cause and elevated it to a state and national level. Today this work lives in Women’s Leadership Connection, which she helped launch in 2002, Maureen was the “connector” between United Way’s work in early childhood and the women —many of them her personal friends— who wanted to support this important work. Thanks to her, WLC reaches nearly 5,000 young children age birth-5 each year.

She built a national reputation as a leader in mobilizing a community around issues affecting young children. She was often called to present at national United Way conferences, where she was known to “talk shop” and share best practices late into the evening. Maureen is a big reason this United Way holds such a strong reputation for effectiveness and leadership.

Long before “community impact” became United Way’s model, Maureen was reminding her colleagues, “This work is bigger than what we do in these four walls.” She built and valued partnerships across the community.

Maureen had a wonderful sense of humor and fun. She’s fondly remembered as the founding mother of the annual staff “Pignic” pig roast, held at Walnut Woods. She was diplomatic and respectful (and was never known to use off-color language), but could tell a deliciously ribald and funny story. Her co-workers knew she could always relieve a stressful situation with her compassion, goodwill and humor.

Her commitment, caring and compassion for her work —particularly with early childhood initiatives— truly reflected the United Way mission.