From Head Start Student to Advocate

Amanda, now the policy advisor for the office of Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, is an advocate for ECS Head Start. However, her relationship with Head Start began years before she entered the mayor’s office; it began when she herself was a Head Start student. 

ECS Head Start gave Amanda’s family much needed support. *January 2025.

Amanda’s grandparents and her mother immigrated from Tijuana to Chula Vista when her mother was a little girl. Many challenges awaited her as she adapted to a new country and language. When she was in high school, she got pregnant with Amanda and while Amanda was a blessing to the family, the addition of a baby created new obstacles. Her mother worked one or two jobs at a time while also attending school. Amanda’s grandparents were able to care for her in her mother’s absence, but obstacles remained regardless. Amanda’s family needed support, otherwise her mother would need to drop out of school to continue providing for the family. 

Head Start created a strong educational foundation for Amanda. *January 2025.

Just in time, Amanda’s family found solace at ECS Head Start. Castle Park Head Start, located down the street from Amanda’s home, was also next door to her mom’s school, allowing the mother and daughter to spend more time together. “Sometimes during my recess and her nutrition break she would come to see me outside the gate, and we would play together,” Amanda recalled.    

Amanda shared a number of endearing Head Start memories, from lining up to walk to the playground, making friends, and even learning to always chew with her mouth closed. “I remember they [the Head Start teachers] would always do story time; they would teach us how to brush our teeth, how to read, how to clean up after ourselves. They were teaching a lot of basic social skills and just a lot of manners and how to be polite,” Amanda shared. “[My family] definitely knew it was a good place for me to be in and they saw me learning colors, I was learning my alphabet, I was learning how to socialize with other kids.” 

Preschool aged Amanda plays with classmates at Head Start. *January 2025.

Amanda and friends enjoy a cookie cake. *January 2025.

Head Start early childhood education goes beyond just academics and ensures that children are growing in all aspects of life. Amanda shared that as a shy child, Head Start helped her break out of her shell and feel prepared for kindergarten. “They really do prepare you for the next stages of life,” she said. 

Amanda’s positive experience with Head Start led her mom to place her younger siblings in the program, as well. “It really gave her peace of mind knowing that her kids are going to be okay, and they’re going to be learning and growing as a little person while she’s out there working and making sure she can provide for us,” she said. 

Amanda and her family are one example of the impact Head Start makes, but the quality early childhood education has touched countless families in the South Bay region. “They give you the tools you need in life,” Amanda said. “It’s very important that we are providing these programs to our low-income families just because there’s a lot of those here in South Bay and you can’t ignore it or avoid it.” Instead, of avoiding families in need of support, Head Start uplifts those families. 

ECS Family Engagement Center’s Grand Opening gave Amanda the opportunity to share her Head Start experience with the wider community. August 2024.

In August, Amanda attended and spoke at the grand opening of ECS’ Family Engagement Center (FEC). She shared how important it is to extend ECS’ services to any community member through a resource hub like FEC. “Having that hub there really helps families because now they don’t have to go look to find these resources,” Amanda said. “You’re bringing all of these resources to them, front and center.” 

Through her position in the mayor’s office and through her first-hand experience, Amanda knows that Head Start is a valuable part of the community. “I really do see the benefit of it. I experienced it, my family experienced it,” she said. “Head Start is pretty crucial for kids, especially at such a young age to get the ball rolling in their education.”  

Amanda advocates for ECS and Head Start through her position in the mayor’s office. September 2024.

San Diego is built on a beautiful and diverse community, and sometimes our neighbors need a helping hand. Head Start offers that support, but it truly takes a village. “It’s definitely really special because no one person or no one organization can do it all alone,” Amanda observed. “I think it’s beautiful for people and organizations to come together and provide that.” ECS Head Start is dedicated to the service of the community’s littlest learners and their families. A quality education is key to a bright future. 

To learn more about ECS Head Start & Early Head Start visit ecsheadstart.org.

*Caption dates may not be exact.

ECS Supports Head Start in D.C.

In light of recent federal funding discussions, ECS advocates for Head Start and the key support it offers to our community. January 2025.

ECS and MAAC in Washington, D.C., for National Head Start Association's Winter Leadership Institute, advocating for early learning, engaging in professional development, and meeting with lawmakers—including visits to the offices of Representatives Darrell E. Issa and Juan Vargas.

With key funding decisions underway, we’re ensuring that Congress understands the vital role Head Start plays in supporting children, families, and communities. Together, we’re raising our voices to protect and expand access to early learning programs.

NHSA Site Visit at the Family Engagement Center

ECS Head Start staff shared FEC’s resources with NHSA visitors. December 2024.

Yesterday, the ECS Family Engagement Center (FEC) had the privilege of hosting the National Head Start Association (NHSA) for a meaningful site visit.

NHSA toured the FEC facility and heard informative presentations and testimonials. December 2024.

The FEC serves as a vital community resources hub, connecting families to resources through partnerships with organizations like Sharia's Closet and South Bay Community Services (SBCS). During the tour, NHSA heard powerful testimonials from parents and staff, highlighting the transformative impact of collaboration and support.

Thank you to NHSA for recognizing and celebrating our shared mission to strengthen families through community and connection!

There’s a Gift in Giving

Every child deserves the magic of waking up on Christmas morning to find gifts from Santa waiting under the tree. One way ECS supports our families during the holiday season is through Family-to-Family for the Holidays.  

Family-to-Family for the Holidays, ECS’ annual gift-giving campaign, ensures that every family has a memorable holiday season. Donors who sign up as sponsors are matched with a family that includes at least one member who currently receives services from one of ECS’ programs. In 2023, Family-to-Family provided gifts for more than 315 neighbors from 70 families. Thanks to generous sponsors, many children got to experience a magical Christmas day, a gift you cannot put a price on. 

Precious’ four kids have all been impacted by ECS and the generosity of Family-to-Family sponsors. *November 2024.

Head Start parent and 2023 Family-to-Family recipient Precious is a mother to four children, and, like any parent, she understands just how important childhood Christmas can be. “It’s really important for me to be able to give them something and give them different experiences,” she said.  

Every year for Christmas, Precious’ family decorates their house with twinkling lights and enjoys their own family traditions, one of their favorites being marshmallow fights. “I buy bunches and bunches of marshmallows, and we have marshmallow fights,” Precious explained, laughing. “We say ‘one, two, three, go,’ and we just start chucking them at each other, ‘got you, got you.’” Afterwards, they put all their blankets on the floor in front of the TV and watch movies while sipping on apple cider or hot cocoa. 

Family traditions and fun moments like opening presents on Christmas create a full and beautiful childhood experience. *November 2024. 

Thanks to Family-to-Family, Precious was able to create lasting memories for her children with the joy of carefully chosen, donated gifts. When Precious gives her kids gifts, she often wraps the gift inside several layers of boxes. By happenstance, the Family-to-Family sponsor who was matched with Precious’ family last year wrapped the gifts the same way, much to her kids’ excitement.  

Precious’ sponsor, Melinda, went the extra mile with her gift for Precious, too. Precious shared that she received a set of lotions that lasted for months.

Melinda has participated in holiday gift programs with a number of organizations through the years, but the opportunity for connection between the family and their sponsor makes ECS’ program extra impactful on both sides. “Back then we never met the families or even knew their names. I think that addition to the ECS program makes it super special,” Melinda said. “When I dropped the gifts off at Precious' apartment last year it was clear to see how full her hands were and, despite that, she was gracious, and the kids were adorable (as they usually are).”

“The Family-to-Family Christmas program is a perfect way to show empathy and bridge the sad divide between families that have so much and families that have so little. It is a small thing that can have a huge effect,” Melinda said.

Precious pays it forward through donations to FEC, so other parents have what they need to care for their children, too. *November 2024.

“It’s so nice to know that you can lean on and count on a beautiful person to donate,” Precious said. “I hope I have an impact like that, too.”  

Precious feels passionate about being part of the cycle of giving, making her own donations – such as clothes, sheets, and pillowcases – to the ECS Family Engagement Center to help support other families in the community. 

ECS Head Start has provided quality education and childcare for Precious’ four children, but ECS’ touch has gone beyond those essentials. Precious was able to use many of ECS’ wraparound services including Head Start’s prenatal program and referrals for speech therapy for two of her children. “This is one of the best programs I’ve ever interacted with that can actually advocate for you and is with you,” she said.  

ECS has helped increase Precious’ confidence as a parent and leader. *November 2024.

Head Start’s community of care expands to parents, as well. Precious participates in parent meetings and the policy committee, sat in on interviews for teachers, and traveled to Texas to represent ECS at a Head Start convention. “[Head Start] helped strengthen my confidence in how I was parenting and what I saw in my children,” she said. 

ECS programs like Head Start and Family-to-Family for the Holidays aim to support families like Precious’. “My children have been touched in a positive way by ECS all their lives,” Precious said.  

Join the cycle of giving. Visit ecscalifornia.org/donate to support parents like Precious and help our youngest community members thrive. As Precious put it, “there’s a gift in giving.” 

*Caption dates may not be exact.