Center is waiting on its certificate of occupancy

By Jessica Tuggle

jtuggle@hometownnewsol.com

WABASSO - Laura Perez remembers as a child, she would go to a daily children's program while her parents went about their jobs in the local agriculture industry.

Today, Ms. Perez is the coordinator for the same organization that helped her as child, the local chapter of the nonprofit Redlands Christian Migrant Association.

Ms. Perez will oversee the opening of the fourth and newest childcare center for low-income and agricultural workers this fall, Children's House.

The new building is located in Wabasso at 7625 85th St. In previous years, there had been locations in Fellsmere and in Wabasso, but the Wabasso location had to be closed due to pesticide use in a nearby property.

"It's great to be able to help our community whenever we can, and I was in their same shoes once, so I know how it is," said Ms. Perez.

The RCMA came to Indian River County in 1988 to meet the childcare needs of the agricultural workers in the area, said Barbara Mainster, executive director.

There are RCMA centers in 21 counties in Florida serving more than 8,000 children ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years old, she said.

In Indian River County, 375 children are served annually with HeadStart, childcare and sometimes after-school care.

"The children have lots of active and passive activities and a lot of early literacy programs are emphasized," said Ms. Mainster.

Parents can also take English and computer classes and are heavily involved in the education of their children at RCMA, Ms. Mainster said.

The new facility, which cost about $1 million, is being paid for by donations from the community said Stella Covill, a 10-year volunteer with RCMA.

"There are very generous people in this world that really helped us out," Ms. Covill said.

"Indian River County has the best volunteers and fundraisers of all our centers in 21 counties," said Ms. Mainster.

As a volunteer, Ms. Covill has seen what a difference the RCMA programs have made in the lives of the families who participate.

"I've really come to understand that preschool is an important part for school preparation and my vision is that this helps them excel in school. They have tremendous promise and all they need is a little nourishment," said Ms. Covill.

"It really is a child development program, not just a daycare," said Ms. Mainster.

The organization is expecting to receive its certificate of occupancy within the week, Ms. Mainster said.

Having four centers in the county is a wonderful opportunity, said Ms. Perez, and with the new Wabasso location, some families will have a shorter drive to take their children to school.

"More centers will help us serve more people and we hire from the community, so it helps create jobs here too," said Ms. Perez.

"We are able to watch the kids while the parents are working and they can know they are safe and in good hands," she said.

For more information, visit www.rcma.org or call (772) 571-0471.

For a guided tour of the currently open centers and to find out more information about volunteering opportunities, contact Ms. Covill at (772) 231-2690.