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Stepping Stones Child Care Program
At Christmas, we participate in "Shop with a Cop" I had a Sudanese single father. Our communication was limited. I wanted him to participate in the shopping since we are limited to how many we send. I had a hard time explaining what would happen so finally I told him to be here at 6:00 A.M. on Saturday. Then he would understand. I told his son also. The following week I saw the father. I asked him how it was. He grinned and kept repeating, "Good shopping, Good shopping."
One of our goals is to allow our children to express themselves creatively. One time, I was in one of the preschool areas. One of the children had organized some of the other children into a little "band", She had given each of them a musical instrument and was leading them around the room singing and playing their instruments. There was only one word to their song, Hallelujah!".
Our clients come from a wide range of social and economic backgrounds. We have refugees who have seen their families and friends murdered in front of them. We have families that are part of homeless programs. We have families that come from affluent backgrounds. We have children that don't speak English. Yet, the great thing is that when they come together, race and money cease to matter. They come together as children and as one. I think that demonstrates our philosophy toward children. We see our children as individuals in one community. Every child has something to contribute to our community. Every child is treated with love and respect. We are here to help every child grow to the greatest potential possible.
Recently, we had a computer donated to our preschool. Some of the children were ready 
to play on it and wanted to know where the games were. Some children asked, "What's that?" That is just one of the ways that we are able to expose our children to life outside of the neighborhood. We go to the Pumpkin Patch every fall. The children see pig races, dragons, and ride on a train. We go to the circus every year. For many of the children, this will be the only time that they go to the circus.