Early Childhood Center (ECC)

March 15, 2021

It's been a year since our ECC first started feeling the effects of Covid.  It hit us hard, like it did most everyone.  So many emotions, fears and anxieties.  I remember sitting our staff down on the floor after having to close the facility due to possible exposure early on.  We had a heart to heart and I remember asking everyone what they wanted to do, remain closed or push through?  We knew our parents, many of which were first responders.  Our staff knew they would need childcare.  But there were so many uncertainties, so much to think about, including our staff's own individual and personal needs.  Some staff had elderly parents to care for, family members with compromised immune systems and illnesses themselves.  We agreed that day to trust in God's plan.  We agreed to not live in fear, to not let this virus control us.  And we agreed to continue to meet the needs of the families we serve as best as we possibly could. 

We reached out to our parents, set guidelines, set cleaning and disinfecting schedules and dealt with every obstacle as it came as open and honest and as best as we possibly could.  We have a saying at the ECC, "God always takes care of things."  And He does.

Fast forward a year later.  We've survived!  Not only have we survived, but our staff is better and stronger because of the trying year we've had.  We've recently opened up our 8th room and have 65 kids enrolled in our program!  God IS so good to us!  He's given us exactly what we have needed when we needed it.  I'm so very proud of our team and the love, hard work and dedication they pour into our ministry.  What a blessing to lead this wonderful group of ladies!  And thanks to all of you for your prayers and support of our ministry.  Couldn't do it without you!

Much love,
Nina Sanchez
St. Mary's ECC Director