CentroNia Annual Report 2014-2015

8/18/2019 CentroNia Annual Report 2014-2015

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Letter to our FriendsDear CentroNía Family:

As we re ect on the achievements from the last year, we are once again reminded that the work we do on behalf of our

children and families is both joyous and challenging. Every day we give thanks to our new and longtime donors, alumni,volunteers, and dedicated staff for making it possible for us to continue to offer high-quality early childhood educationfor low-income, working families in a bilingual and multicultural environment.

As we move into our 30 th anniversary year, we want to express how grateful we are for your support. Because ofyou, CentroNía’s community of children and families is more vibrant than ever. This year we continued togrow our core programs in early childhood education, food and wellness, arts, and workforce development. Along theway, we had some extra special moments that we would like to share with you:

• CentroNía’s expansion at the Upshur site allowed us to provide Early Head Start to an additional 60 families inWashington DC.

• In 2013, CentroNía conducted a needs assessment of food services and nutrition education offered at 15 childcarecenters in the District of Columbia. From this assessment, we are looking at ways to address three important

ndings:a. Many centers served meals exceeding the recommended sugar, sodium, and calorie requirements for

young children.b. Of the centers surveyed, none provided a comprehensive nutrition education curriculum for children

or families.c. Many administrators and teachers reported they lacked the necessary nancial resources for training,

materials, and equipment to improve the food quality or to establish a nutrition education program.• CentroNía welcomed U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan alongside the National Institute for

Early Education Research (NIEER) to unveil the 2014 State of Preschool Yearbook at the CentroNía Maryland site.• With full support from the CentroNía community, DC Bilingual, the charter school that grew out of CentroNía’s

mission, started its 2015-2016 school year in its new home at 33 Riggs Road, NE.• The CentroNía Institute was selected to serve as one of three organizations to provide training and technicalassistance to child care centers across the city in order to help the centers meet the Early Head Start standards.

Our annual report this year serves as a reminder of the impact of your on-going support. And behind the numbers arestories of children and families succeeding, often against dif cult odds. Thanks to YOUR incredible support ourchildren have a greater chance of succeeding in school and our families in realizing their dreams.

THANK YOU for being champions in the education of our children!

Sincerely,

Myrna PeraltaCentroNía President & CEO

Dennis DavisonCentroNía Board Chair


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Who We Are

About CentroNíaCentroNía, a nationally recognized,award-winning educational organizationproviding affordable, high-qualityeducation; professional development toeducators; and family support servicesto more than 2,400 low-income childrenand families in the District of Columbiametropolitan region. Founded in 1986,CentroNía’s holistic approach ensuresthat our children and families receivethe support and encouragement theyneed to succeed academically, developa strong sense of community, and livehealthy and active lives. This includesan award-winning Food & WellnessDepartment that provides healthymeals for CentroNía’s community, andencourages children, parents, and staffto adopt healthy lifestyles by makinginformed food choices.

“Educating children and youthand strengthening familiesin a bilingual, multicultural

environment.”

Timeline

1986

CentroNía opens its doors as Calvary BilingualMulticultural Learning Center, offering 15 childrenhigh quality, affordable and multicultural earlychildhood education out of the Calvary UnitedMethodist Church.

1990Programs expanded to include after-school andparent education to re ect the growing needs in thecommunity.

1995Receives donation of 1420 Columbia Road buildingby Verizon; enrollment grows to 100 preschoolers,youth and parents.

Opening of the Infant and Toddler program forchildren 3 months to 3 years old. 2001

DC Bilingual Public Charter School is founded andbegins enrolling elementary school students. 2004

200585 pre-kindergarteners enroll at new site located onHarvard Street.

CentroNía is born! The name derives from Spanish,Swahili, and Esperanto – a language created in the19th century to help bridge cultures – Centromeans “center” in Spanish; Nia means “purpose” inSwahili and “our” in Esperanto.

2006

2011

CentroNía launches the CentroNía Institute toshare institutional experience and best practices inearly childhood education. Michelle Obama launchesLet’s Move campaign at CentroNía.

CentroNía becomes a HUB partner via Early HeadStart to provide coaching and technical support toearly childhood centers in DC.

2014

Today, CentroNía serves more than 2,400 children,youth, and families annually in Washington, DC andMaryland.

2015

2007-2009

CentroNía opens a location inTakoma Park, Marylandto serve the growing immigrant community inMontgomery County.

2010CentroNía becomes a Early Head Start partner forits growing program in Maryland.


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Early Childhood Education

Early childhood education begins with building responsive relationships between a child, their parents,and their teacher. This allows children to thrive in all environments of growth and learning. CentroNíaimplements year-round bilingual, early childhood development and education for children from birth toage ve. At the heart of CentroNía’s program are ve core understandings:

• Parents are a child´s rst teacher. They provide the foundation for building a strong partnershipbetween the family and the primary caregiver.

• Children thrive when all domains of growth and learning—social-emotional, cognitive, and physicaldevelopment—are fully integrated.

• CentroNía is committed to individualized care within the context of small groups.

• When children feel supported, they will feel free to explore the world and engage in the most criticalof tasks—building meaning about the world around them.

• A bilingual, multicultural community supports growth and learning through the intersection of culture,diversity, and language, which plays an important role in child development, especially among EnglishLanguage Learners.

• All early childhood classrooms at CentroNía incorporate the arts — singing, dancing, and painting — allowing children to explore and express themselves at an early age.

“I couldn’t feel more priviliged andproud of the education that I receivedat CentroNía,” explained PhenolaLawrence, CentroNía Alumna. “ It’s strong bilingual and arts focusedprogram provided me a strongfoundation to become a succesfulprofessional.”


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Family Support

In order for students to be successful, families must

have access to the resources they need. CentroNía’sFamily Center provides comprehensive educationalopportunities to our families through workshops andclasses, as well as advocates for causes important toour community through referral services to partnerorganizations. The Family Center also provides casemanagement services for individuals who face multiplechallenges including adult education, workforcedevelopment, housing access, immigration issues,domestic violence, and substance abuse.

Shalinee’s Story

Shalinee immigrated to D.C. in 2007 to join her loving husband and reunite her two children with theirfather. Eager to nd work but without an Employment Authorization Card, Shalinee began volunteeringwith a local public school and enrolled in classes in an adult education program where she obtained aChild Development Associate (C.D.A.) certi cation.

After three years, having since acquired authorization to work, Shalinee needed to renew her certi cation.She joined the CentroNía C.D.A. renewal program, which provides training to individuals seeking a careerin Early Childhood Education and immerses students through instructional workshops and hands-onexperiences. Shalinee graduated and joined the team of PreK4 teachers at CentroNía for summer camp!

With the C.D.A. renewal classes and support validating my collegetranscripts — CentroNía provided a foundation for my family to thrive.

With dreams of becoming a science teacher, Shalineesought support from CentroNía’s Family Center inupdating her résumé. Through the Family Center, sheworked with a representative from College Board whoprovided resources to validate her college transcriptsfrom India. Shalinee found work as a science teacherin an elementary school for one academic year, then

jumped at an opportunity to work with CentroNía’sStudio R.O.C.K.S. after school program. She has been ateacher with us for almost three years and most recentlyis teaching Kindergarten and 1st graders after school andover summer break. Shalinee hopes she can help morefamilies like hers in the community.


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Food & WellnessAt CentroNía, our entire community—children, parents, andstaff—is encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and to makeinformed food choices. With proper nutrition, children and

families are best positioned to learn. Teachers and parents play acentral role in guiding students’ healthy choices around diet andexercise during the earliest stages of a child’s life.

By strengthening efforts in schools and early childhood educationcenters, CentroNía seeks to create a lasting impact in nutritionhabits and choices, which start at infancy. We work around vecore strategies:

1. Cooking and serving nutritious meals for all ourchildren ages 6 months to 14 years

2. Developing a catering service that seeks to providelow-cost wholesome and delicious alternatives to ourcommunity

3. Creating and implementing child and adult nutritioneducation programs through curriculums, nutritionalworkshops and cooking classes

4. Encouraging the development of a wellness culture inour community through the work of a multi-disciplinarywellness committee

5. Partnering with other community organizations toconsolidate advocacy efforts that promote nutrition andwellness practices across the District and beyond

2,300 meals served daily to

children and families


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CentroNía’s Community Engagement & Educationdepartment advocates for, educates, and promotesstudent achievement by utilizing the arts as a mediumof instruction and communication.This departmentis comprised of three programs:

Studio R.O.C.K.S. offers before and after schoolprogramming as well as all day programs duringwinter, spring, and summer breaks for childrenin kindergarten (age 5) to middle school (age 13).Studio R.O.C.K.S. provides students with meaningfuland impactful programming, which emphasizesacademic enrichment, self-discovery, and creativeexploration—all in a bilingual, multicultural setting.

Tutoring focuses primarily on improving literacyskills and allows students to receive support withhomework. The program thrives on volunteer tutorsfrom local universities and the community. Studentsand tutors are paired for the length of the programwhich helps strengthen relationships and drivesuccess.

CentroNía’s Community Library is abilingual resource center with more than 10,000books and materials. Considered a “teaching-library”,the Community Library supports the CentroNíacommunity through its involvement in academiclessons and by providing resources to teachers,students, and families.

“The Community Engagement & Educationprograms have inspired my child’s interest inreading and have helped our family grow, learn, anddiscover together,” said Luis, a CentroNíaParent.

“If more people heard the amazing things that arehappening at CentroNía, they may be even moreinspired to do something themselves,” saidDarcy, a community volunteer.

Community Engagement


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“Quality early care and education can help close

the readiness gap for kids entering kindergarten andin uence their trajectory in life,” expressed LaurenStillwell, Program Of cer at WashingtonArea Women’s Foundation. “We are proud tosupport CentroNia’s effort to build and offer meaningfultraining and professional development for the early careand education workforce, thereby strengthening quality,and improving chances for children in our region.”

The CentroNía Institute was developed as the result ofCentroNía’s years of experience and success working withyoung children, their families, and teachers in a multiculturaland bilingual environment. The majority of children CentroNíaserves immigrated here with their families and many areEnglish Language Learners (ELLs). These communities arehistorically underserved, both nationally and locally, by center-and school-based education. The CentroNía Institute strivesto raise awareness and strengthen institutional capacity toaddress these needs by:

• Presenting and disseminating research surrounding bestpractices for educating young ELLs;

• Offering professional development workshops and

trainings to educators, school leadership, childcare centerstaff, and parents;

• Providing on-site technical assistance in early childhoodcenters and schools.

CentroNía Institute Re ective PracticeApproach (CIRPA) ToolkitThe CIRPA Toolkit release is an exciting milestone for theCentroNía Institute who worked tirelessly to compile anddisseminate CentroNía’s 30 years worth of experience in

combination with best practices and new research in earlyeducation. In the coming months the CentroNía Institutewill be working with 13 centers around Washington, DCto implement the CIRPA Toolkit and provide one-on-onecoaching to teachers and administrators.

CentroNía Institute


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Awards & Leadership

Awards• Let’s Move Active School National RecognitionAward (2014)• CentroNía’s President and CEO, Myrna

Peralta, awarded Capital One’s CommunityChampion Award (2014)

• Alliance for a Healthier Generation SilverAward (2013)

• USDA Healthier U.S. School Challenge GoldAward with Distinction (2011)

• First Lady Michelle Obama launched the “Let’sMove!” Child Care campaign at CentroNía(2011)

Accreditations

Dennis DavisonChair, McKenna Long & Aldridge

Alison MirandaVice Chair, Social Impact

Carla DeckerTreasurer, DC Federal Credit Union

Maria Holleran-RiveraSecretary, Retired U.S. Department of Energy

Board of DirectorsOf cers

Myrna PeraltaPresident & CEO

Steve GloverPro-bono Counsel

Leadership

Monica AriasParent member

Celeste “Clete” BoykinDuPont

Gretchen Gayle EllsworthRetired, Smithsonian Executive

Alamhir GutierrezCentroNía Alumna

Robert MortonEntrepreneur

K. Shiek PalPerkins Cole, LLP

Gabriela Rodriguez-NiebresDiscover Financial Services

Doug RoseDiscover Financial Services

Members


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Financials

For complete audited Form 990s, please visit our Guidestar page:http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/25-1689720/centronia.aspx

http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/25-1689720/centronia.aspxhttp://www.guidestar.org/organizations/25-1689720/centronia.aspx


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Annual Fund Supporters

Individuals

Diana Alonzo WatkinsAlfred AmadoPhyllis ArmstrongStacy Baker

Judy BauerDonna BeanMarc Berk

Joaquin BonillaKristyn BorreroCeleste BoykinElizabeth BruceRobert CarollaFreddy Castro

Eva Cervantes Joy and Jerry ChoppinRenata ClarosLise ClavelRuth Ann ComptonKathleen Conley

James CoxKate CromwellMaria CruzLaurie DavisKatherine DavisDennis Davison

Judith DennySandra DewEduardo DiazAngela ElkinsGretchen EllsworthDonald FadoMarlin Farnsworth

Janine FeggansElliot Feldman

Jorge FelixTamar Fishman

Nicole FoxAustin FrizzellMary GabayCarolyn and John GarlandCarol Gayle

Jonathan Genn Joshua GerberBarbara GholzDenise Gilman and Ariel

DulitzkyBenjamin GittermanWendy Goldberg

Sandra Gomez

Marie-France and PierreGuislain-Mathes

Michele Hagans

Mary HamillAngela HartleySharee Hat eld

John Hauge John HerrmannRobert Hirsch

Julius HobsonMaria Holleran Rivera and

John Holleran Jean HopkinsCarmen HowellLynne HundleyLeonade JonesAlice JordanFrancis KellerKenneth KleinDonald KohnLillian KraemerDiane KuhlaMelih KutluerRebecca LemosMargaret LenznerGrace Lopez

Sean Luechtefeld Jean LujanLester Matlock Alan MayersElizabeth McGuffeeAlex MentchCynthia MercadoAlison MirandaFrances MolinaroTheodore OltBeatriz ‘BB’ OteroMaria Otero and Joseph

EldridgeNanette ParisAntonio PayneMyrna PeraltaRob PlatiRadhika Raman

Jamie RaskinSusan ReddishMichelle RitchieAlice Rivlin

John Roane

Shelley RobinsonMarissa Roman

Anna RosarioRobert Douglas RoseSusan Rosenbaum

Martin RozenbergMarie RuddellVanessa RuizAlice SadlerKathleen SadlerMike SandfortCarroll SaussyDaniel SchindlerSteven SchjenkenSandra Scioville

Jo Ann ScottAmy SeagoLouise Shelley

Jerome ShipmanCharles ShortEmma SnyderRenee StikesLois ThibaultLucy WadesonEileen and Bernard WasowBarbara WegeShearer WeigertEmily Weinmann

Ricky WeissPatricia Weiss FagenMartha WestEmily Whit eldWilliam Willcox

Jonathan Willen Joanne WilliamsCarolyn WogamanIvey WohlfeldNikolas YoungsmithBeatriz Zuluaga

Foundations,Corporations, &Government

Bank of AmericaBraun Film and Video, Inc.Building HopeCapital OneCatherine B. Reynolds

FoundationComcastCommunity Foundation for

the National Capital Region

DC Commission on the Artsand Humanities

DC Trust

Debevoise and Plimpton LLPDiana Davis Spencer

FoundationDiane and Norman Bernstein

FoundationDistrict Government Employees Federal

Credit UnionFight for ChildrenGeorge Preston Marshall

FoundationHomer and Martha Gudelsky

FoundationInter-American Development

Bank Kresge FoundationMara Bershad FoundationMaryland State Department

of EducationMayor’s Of ce on Latino

AffairsMcKenna Long & Aldridge

Foundation

Monarch Lab, University ofMinnesota-TwinCities SchoolyardEcology Explorations

Morris & Gwendolyn CafritzFoundation

U.S. Department of Health &Human Services,Administration forChildren and Families

Of ce of the StateSuperintendent ofEducation

Pitney BowesPNC FoundationRichard E. & Nancy P.

Marriott FoundationShare FundUnited WayWashington Area Women’s

FoundationWilliam Randolph Hearst

Foundation

World Bank Group

We are so grateful to all our generous supporters! Although a great deal of care has gone into ensuring theaccuracy of this donor list, there may be some errors. We apologize for any omissions, misspellings, or other

mistakes and welcome your corrections and suggestions.


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Our Impact

children andfamilies served

individuals receivedsupport services from

the Family Center

of students enrolled in CentroNíaprograms receive free or reduced lunch

of childrenand families

speakSpanish in

their homes

healthy meals served for

children, families, and staff


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For further information:Kate Akalonu, Director of Development & Communications

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 202-332-4200 ext. 1140

Get Involved

VisitOne of the best ways to learn aboutCentroNía is to come see our communityin person. CentroNía visits providean opportunity to see our facility andlearn about our programs. You’ll be ableto meet with our dedicated staff andinteract with families who are beni ting

from CentroNía’s services.

GiveWe want you to be a part of ourCentroNía Family! We’re celebratingour birthday in 2016, and you’re inviteto join the party. Our supprters arechoosing to donate their own birthdayto our children and families and YOUcan too! Join the campaign and you cansee how your efforts compare to others

in CentroNía’s Birthday Challenge.

VolunteerThere are many opportunities for youto have hands-on experience workingwith the many different programs atCentroNía. Maybe you would like totutor a student? Or maybe you enjoyhelping with special events? Join us byviewing volunteer opportunities and

lling out an application on our website,www.centronia.org.


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CentroNia Annual Report 2014-2015

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