“First 5” reaches 5-year mark and eyes expansion

“I wouldn’t know where to go if it wasn’t for this place, I didn’t have money, no other place to go.” Jessica Castrejon, a user of the First 5 program said.

“They have to decide between paying rent or paying for child care, how can you make that decision?” added Senior Manager of First 5 Rosa Torres.

In 2001 Martha’s Village officially opened it’s doors to the Coachella Valley, providing food, shelter and a helping hand. Over the years many programs have been put in place and with 87 percent of working families in Riverside County with no licensed child care to turn to, five years ago “First 5” came to the rescue.

“With the population that we deal with, it’s not your average child. I know lots of kids go through a lot of things but in the first five years some of these kids have experienced things that you and I won’t. They have lived on cars, under bridges, not having a secure place to call home or even a plate of food.” Castrejon added.

That is where First 5 came to play, providing early learning education and a safe place for those 5 and under- free of charge.

“There is a waiting list that currently exists, as a grandma this is really important to me as well as being the Executive Director because children get an early start. There brain is developing in the first 1000 days of a child’s life. Invest early in a child’s development.” Executive Director Tammi Graham said.

Martha’s Village’s First Five is at max capacity already helping 55-children a month but with a heart big enough for much more.

“We do have a waiting list of 36-children, out of those 36, about 24 to 25 are infant toddlers. We are currently trying to work on expanding our child development center an opening up two classrooms for infant and toddlers.” Castrejon said.

“The challenge is First Five is funded with tobacco tax and as tobacco funds go down, our funding goes down. We are looking for system approaches of investing. This is one of the highest need areas and one of the most successful programs that we have.” Graham added.

Next years budget has been approved but the future is always uncertain. The time is now to help those who truly need it.

“The appreciation because it’s 100 percent. I appreciate what they do for my son, everything that they teach him. He has learned so many things, so many new words, and just getting ready for Kinder and I know he will be prepared.” Leticia Gomez, a user of the program said.

“If you go to our website http://marthasvillage.org/donate/ click on donation and there is different ways you can donate there.”