Congressman Carbajal Visits and Reads to Storyteller Children
Congressman Carbajal paid a special visit to Storyteller Children’s Center’s De La Vina campus on July 16 to read stories to the young students while spotlighting the importance of Early Child Development.
The Congressman read two books including “I Like You,” by Kathleen Beal and “Del Desierto a la Jungla,” by Amada Irma Perez.
“It was so special to have Congressmen Carbajal with us today. The students were particularly attentive during story time,” noted Storyteller Children’s Center Executive Director, Susan Cass. “Educating children early while mitigating challenges and trauma is so critical in these first five years. It means a great deal that our representatives value and underscore our mission.”
Founded in 1988, Storyteller is a full-time, therapeutic school program that supports children ages 18 months to 5 years in achieving kindergarten readiness. In addition to the approximate 80 students served per year, Storyteller also provides assistance to the entire family unit, with an emphasis on breaking the cycle of poverty for the working poor while preparing children to successfully enter kindergarten. Some of Storyteller’s programs are supported by Head Start of the United States Department of Health and Human Services which provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.
For more information form Congressman Carbajal’s office, contact: Mannal Haddad at mannal@saludcarbajal.com or (310) 619-8134.
Storyteller
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www.storytellercenter.org
Executive Director: Dr. Gabriella Garcia
(805) 730-0181
Mission
Storyteller is a therapeutic preschool that serves children and their families toward “Kindergarten Readiness.”
Storyteller serves Santa Barbara’s poorest families, those living below or close to the poverty guideline and who also meet the Federal definition of homeless. This segment of our community may have difficulty accessing and paying for quality preschool.
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We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s Director of Development and/or Executive Director.
Since 2014, it has been an honor to be a member of the Storyteller Board of Trustees and to witness the growth and the impact of this important organization. In my 10 years of involvement, Storyteller has supported 905 children and their families in our community, all of whom face many challenges and adverse experiences. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the staff and Board, and the generosity of donors, Storyteller graduates are Kindergarten-ready and prepared to thrive.
Support High-Quality Early Childhood Education for Children Facing Tough Challenges
Storyteller’s operational budget serves the therapeutic and trauma-informed curriculums, building the foundation of resiliency that these students will tap into for their entire lives.
It costs about $35,000 to support each student served in Storyteller’s year-round therapeutic program – and 60% needs to come from community contributions and donations. For each student served by Storyteller, they must raise at least $20,000. With the help of The Giving List, they’d like to raise $80,000 for four full scholarships for one year. This amount will help four children build a foundation of social-emotional resiliency, mitigate trauma, and support the family unit in being able to work or attend school.
Key Supporters
Erinn Lynch, Board Co-Chair
Peggy Dodds, MD, Board Co-Chair
Michael C. Wasserman, Vice Chair
Craig Zimmerman, Treasurer
Rachael Stein, Secretary
Gretchen Horn, Governance
Jon Clark
Sharon Kayser
Anna Kokotovic, PhD
Diana Lytel
Patricia Madrigal, PhD
Danna McGrew
Ann Pieramici
Ken Radtkey
Kyra Rogers
Kenny Slaught