An accomplished attorney in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Heist established R. Connor & Associates, PC, in 2001. Apart from his work as president and lead attorney with the firm, Robert Heist is a past chairman of the Board of Managers of Milton Hershey School. Mr. Heist led the initiative to use nearly $350 million from the Milton Hershey School Trust to pursue cost-free early childhood education for children in need from low income communities in accordance with the intent of Mr. and Mrs. Hershey's Deed of Trust.
In 2021, in response to the early childhood initiative led by Mr. Heist, a Dauphin County judge approved the Milton Hershey School’s proposal to open six free early childhood centers around Pennsylvania. Responding to a lack of affordable, high-quality education in the state, the $350 million project will serve approximately 900 low-income children. The Hershey School plans to earmark 25 percent of its endowment income to these early childhood centers, which will provide Head Start-like services that prepare kids for kindergarten. The first center will open on the Hershey School’s campus in 2023, followed by a second in Harrisburg the following year. The additional four schools will open between 2025 and 2027. Each center plans to enroll 150 children under age 5 and should cost approximately $55 million in annual operating costs.
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The principal attorney with R. Connor & Associates in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Heist provides corporate counsel and engages in commercial and business litigation. Along with his work as an attorney, Robert Heist formerly served as chairman of the board of managers at Milton Hershey School.
In 2020, with Heist as chairman of the board, the Milton Hershey School announced plans to support the creation of up to six cost-free, early childhood education centers across Pennsylvania. Investing more than $350 million in the facilities, the school aims to fill the need for affordable, high-quality education for young children who come from at-risk and low-income backgrounds. The first center will be located in a 50,000-square-foot building that can accommodate roughly 150 students in Derry Township. In addition to implementing a curriculum designed to support academic and social development, the school will include an outdoor learning space to meet the unique learning needs of young children. The school also plans to provide transportation, meals, and support services for families. Slated for completion in 2023, the early childhood learning center will begin recruiting staff in late 2021. |
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