San Fernando Mayor Sylvia Ballin were among those who joined with UCLA Early Head Start in Arleta to celebrate Head Start’s 52nd birthday with a Community Reading Day.
“UCLA Early Head Start is committed to the development of children, families, and communities by providing education and tools to break the cycle of poverty disadvantages over generation by making books accessible to children, we are taking one step towards our overall mission,” said Delia Vicente, UCLA Early Head Start director.
Through the National Head Start Association partnership with Scholastic, UCLA Early Head Start received a book donation for children and families. Scholastic’s generosity and the National Head Start Associations support made it possible for more than1,400 Community Reading Day celebrations to occur across the country.
Locally, UCLA Early Head Start participated in this Community Reading Day on May 24, and promoted literacy activities among children and families. All children present at the reading day receive a book.
Ballin addressed the UCLA Early Head Start parents and delivered a motivating speech to families, she then read new books generously donated by Scholastic to the children and families. She also joined the UCLA Early Head Start staff in recognizing parent leaders, community members and staff for their work and collaboration in the program and in the community.
“Joining us for Community Reading Day is another example of Mayor Ballin’s enthusiastic support for children and Early Head Start. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase all of the hard work we do for our nation’s most vulnerable children and their families,” Vicente said.