Winter Fun Night was celebrated at the Y’s recently opened Sherman Early Childhood Center (located on the site of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Y in Waverly) on Friday, December 9th. Operating in one of the city’s most economically diverse communities, this inspiring center uniquely blends Head Start and traditional preschool programming for over 100 children, ages six weeks to five years old. As such, the families and children it serves come from as wide a range of backgrounds and circumstances as you’ll find almost anywhere. Which makes it an excellent example of what the Y’s mission and purpose is really all about, which is building a diverse, inclusive, healthy and connected community.
Whatever you call it, the cookie decorating, snowflake, ornament and gingerbread men making, along with the music and snacks, ensured that a good time was had by all! Thanks to the Sherman Early Childhood Center parent committee, the director Natasha Morton, and the teachers for making this event happen and for modeling to their children the kind of values that make us better as a community.
The families whose children attend the Sherman Early Childhood Center and came together to enjoy Winter Fun Night share a clear common objective – to give their kids the best possible start in life. That objective cuts across all of the socio-economic differences that make up this and most communities. A lesson I learned a long time ago rings true to this day: when we do what’s best for our youngest, then we do what’s best for our community.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland