SEIU Local 99 Executive Director shared her thoughts while on the 3-day “Gapbusters” Bus Tour:
| February 18, 2014 |
Check out the PRESS COVERAGE:KPCC RADIO
LONG BEACH PRESS TELEGRAM
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I just left the home of Ramona Duran of “Ramona’s Day Care” in Long Beach. Normally, Ramona quietly wraps her arms around the families she cares for as she teaches, feeds, and nurtures children in her care and gives parents complete peace of mind.
Today was different.
Today, Ramona opened up her day care business so that television cameras, community leaders, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson could see firsthand the quality early education program she operates out of her home. She spoke about the amazing work that she does. Then she shared the podium with a mother whose children Ramona cared for when the family was struggling. This single mom of four moved many in the audience to tears as she described how well her family is doing now as a result of Ramona’s loving support.
Stopping at Ramona’s Day Care was part of the “Gapbusters” bus tour—a 3-day, 7-stop tour running from February 18th through February 20th, 2014, to highlight the important role that child care providers play in preparing California’s kids for school and closing the educational achievement gap.
I’m on the bus now as we head for Bakersfield. Riding with me are providers from all over the state, parents, and a bunch of super-cute kids—little geniuses, all!
I can’t wait to meet the other providers across California who will also open their doors to show their magical spaces where children are prepared to achieve their dreams.
We will end on Thursday in Sacramento, where we will urge Governor Brown to commit to real, long-term investment in early learning and to give child care providers a voice in your industry by signing the Quality Child Care Act, AB 641!
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Pictured from left to right next to Ramona’s “Living Tree” of all the children she’s cared for: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, Ramona Duran of “Ramona’s Day Care,” SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Courtni Pugh, and United Way of Greater Los Angeles President/CEO Elise Buik. |
| February 20, 2014 |
MORE PRESS COVERAGE:SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE
WATCH US ON TV |
Whew! We covered a lot of ground yesterday on our 3-day, 7-stop“Gapbusters” bus tour across California. And my appreciation for the skilled child care providers on the bus grew : it’s not every bunch of children I could share a bus with for 14 hours! But polite, generous, funny, and smart kids? It was great.
We started the day in Bakersfield at “Glenda’s Family Day Care,” an adorable early learning environment operated by Child Care Provider Glenda Lomas. We were joined by Bakersfield City School Board President Andrae Gonzales who noted that “It’s time for California’s leaders to join their counterparts from coast to coast in prioritizing early investment in children to create a better future for generations of Californians.”
I couldn’t have said it better, Andrae. Are you listening, Governor Brown?
Then, on to Fresno where our own SEIU Local 99 Executive Board Member Tonia McMillian, a child care provider in Bellflower, served as an awesome Mistress of Ceremonies for our reading circle at an affordable housing community called Parc Grove Commons. The children were charming. The book was The Hungry Caterpillar. The need for more access to affordable quality child care in a low-income community like Parc Grove Commons was clear.
As I watched the children enjoying the book, I couldn’t help thinking of the 110,000 children who have been cut from child care programs over the past few years. Now that California has a surplus, it’s time to bring them all back to reading circles and fun lessons.
We ended the day in San Jose at the home of child care provider Jamie Ellis, who cares for children during parents’ nontraditional work hours—early mornings, late nights, and even weekends.
Today, we started the day in the Governor’s longtime home, Oakland, in front of Laney College. We end today in Sacramento, where #KidGovernor—8-year-old Celeste Elena Umaña—will introduce her campaign platform: ensuring that all of California’s kids have the early learning opportunities that she and her little sister benefited from.
Quality early learning for every child in California!
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…in Bakersfield!
This was the most fun! Painting the hands of all the super-cute kids. We’ll be delivering their “signatures” in favor of universal access to quality early education to the Governor! |
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…in Fresno!
#KidGovernor holds the microphone for Preston Prince of the Fresno Housing Authority as he reads “The Hungry Caterpillar” to the captivated kids. |
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…in San Jose!
#KidGovernor with AB641 author Assemblyman Anthony Rendon. |
| February 21, 2014 |
I’ll never forget the past four days.
The families we met during our 7-stop“Gapbusters” bus tour across California all expressed their deep, deep gratitude for Child Care Providers who give their children all the tools they need to reach for the stars.
I was especially touched by Jennifer, a single mom in Long Beach who said of Child Care Provider Ramona Duran, “She was there for us for pretty much anything we needed as a family.” All four of Jennifer’s children are super successful today.
It’s for families like Jennifer’s that we took this tour. And it’s for them that we ended in Sacramento, to remind Governor Brown that if he’s serious about improving education, he needs to invest in the years that impact academic outcomes the most: 0 to 5!
Assembly Speaker John Pérez and Senator Kevin de León both spoke passionately about the need for universal access to early care and education and urged the Governor to sign AB 641 which will stabilize California’s child care system and give child care providers a voice.
I’d like to thank all of the Los Angeles County Child Care Providers who participated in the Gapbusters Bus Tour:
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TV COVERAGE IN SACRAMENTO: |
- Ramona Duran, who opened up her day care business during Stop #2 of our tour
- Tonia McMillian and Zandra Hawes, who joined us for the entire trip! (And Tonia MC’d several of our events along the way.)
- Several Providers attended our Long Beach event—and brought the cute kids they care for!
— Aleja Ceja
— Marta Delgado
— Bertha Dominguez
— Herminia Garcia
— Rosario Hernandez
— Annie Thomas - Vernessa Easley, who encouraged one of the families she cares for to join us on the bus for three days!
I’d also like to acknowledge all of the L.A. area community groups and education advocates who participated:
- Elise Buik, President/CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Micah Ali, President, Compton Unified School District Board of Education - Martin Castro, President/CEO of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation
- Representatives from
— First5LA
— Community Coalition
— Dream Team LA
— Advancement Project
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| Watch this incredible 8-year-old—Kid Governor—announce her candidacy while we were in Sacramento yesterday. During her speech, she advocated for a voice for providers! | Scroll through these photos to come on a virtual “Gapbusters” Bus Tour with us. Check us out in SEVEN cities! | In case you missed it, be sure to listen to this inspiring story of Child Care Provider Tonia McMillian helping providers in Los Angeles County organize for a strong child care system. | Learn more about all the great work that child care providers do in their homes to close the educational achievement gap! |
#KidGovernor in 2014!
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Assembly Speaker John Pérez joins us on the capitol steps to call for investment in early learning. |
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State Senator Kevin de León with Kid Governor. Is that an official endorsement, Senator?! |
