Generosity.
“Generosity is the habit of giving without expecting anything in return.”

It can involve offering time, assets, or talents to aid someone in need”. This community is generous to a fault and as the holidays approach, we see such evidence of this.  The Children’s Center is gearing up for our annual Holiday On-Line Auction to begin November 30th.  So many local organizations have donated incredible items that bidders can use for holiday gift-giving to others or maybe to themselves!  Golf, dining, shopping, family fun and so much more can be found at this year’s event.  Visit the Auction Webpage to learn more.  We sincerely appreciate the generosity of this year’s sponsors – Mako Medical and South State Bank.  It’s gonna be better than Black Friday and Cyber Monday put together!

 

The Invisible “Essential Workers”

Headlines found in the Wall Street Journal during the month of August include: Coronavirus Threatens to Push Childcare Industry Over the Edge and Workers Exhaust Time-Off Options as COVID-19, Child-Care Issues Compound hit home at The Children’s Center.  As lockdowns begin to loosen and parents are returning to their jobs, the necessity of childcare is real and concerning. Many childcare centers have closed because they did not survive COVID shutdowns in South Carolina, over 20% remain closed.  Those that did reopen face enrollment decreases by 30% or more.  At TCC, we continue to struggle to fill our community’s demand for affordable high-quality early education and childcare.  Our enrollment is currently at 70% of pre-COVID numbers, but the waitlist exceeds our ability to provide services.

Childcare employees are essential workers that do not get the acknowledgment they deserve.  We hear professional athletes, large corporate institutions, television personalities, and others celebrate the commitment and dedication of “essential workers.”  We all think of our first responders and medical personnel as essential.  Some of us might think of the grocery store clerk and the trash collector, but does anyone think of the child care teacher who cares for the children to ensure those “essential” people can go to work and do their jobs?  Here at The Children’s Center was celebrate and acknowledge our teachers and staff as essential now and for future generations!

 

 

Define Teamwork: Vaniecea Hall

Take a moment to get to know The Children’s Center’s Administrative Assistant Mrs. Vaniecea Hall.  Ms. Vaniecea (affectionately know as Mrs. V) has worked at the Children’s Center for two years. Her designated role is the administrative assistant for our Child and Adult Food Program and Front Desk Assistant, but that is just part of what she really does. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and does whatever is needed in the office or classrooms with a smile on her face.

At a recent meeting, she heard a teacher ask for daily help with a child during morning recess, and without a second thought, she stepped up.  Wherever there is a need, you can find Ms. Vaniecea jumping in without hesitation. Vaniecea recently graduated from Ogeechee Technical College with her associate’s degree in Health Information Technology.  Ms. V says she loves working at The Children’s Center because she gets to be around the children all day, and is always learning new skills. When she is not working, you can find her exploring a new city or local culture with her two beautiful daughters.  When you visit our Center, be sure to say hello as she greets you from the front desk.

 

 

Trunk or Treat – Safe Fun!

Sometimes a person has a job description that specifically identifies the tasks for which they are responsible. The Children’s Center has a very special lady who is always committed to doing whatever needs to be done. Mrs. Carmina is our Education Assistant. Her role is to help teachers be successful in their classrooms. Having been promoted from Assistant Teacher to her new role, Carmina excels in managing responsibility with mentorship and compassion.

Mrs. Carmina oversees many of the details of day-to-day life at The Children’s Center. Some of her many responsibilities include classroom scheduling, ensuring children are cared for when injured or sick, and serving as a translator for our Spanish-speaking parents and students.

Mrs. Carmina has worked at The Children’s Center for a total of thirteen years, and when asked what she loves most, she says, “I love conducting my job with a dedicated team and I enjoy the opportunity to help make sure children are learning in a safe environment.”

In her free time, you can find her delving into a good book.

Next time you are at the center, be sure to give Mrs. Carmina a wave and thank her for all she does to make our organization a wonderful place for our children to be!