Suaya Montoya is a new enrollee at LBCC, majoring in child development. Back in 2014, she had tried to enroll in college, but had three small children with special needs, and without child care — she just couldn’t swing it.
“I literally had to quit,” Montoya said. “And that was devastating for me as a person who’s a go-getter. I had to really put it all on hold.”
But this year she’s gotten some vital support while she pursues a degree in child development.
For the first time, Long Beach City College is partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach to provide free child care to student parents working on their degrees, at age ranges not typically seen in a college child care program.
Support For Student Parents
Montoya enrolled in Long Beach City College last August, the same semester that the college launched its pilot partnership.
Named the “Vikings Kids Club,” the after-school program is for children ages 5 through 17, designed to provide homework help and fun activities for the kids while their parents are in class or studying nearby.
“I can’t tell you how important that is to me to know that I can come to school, and my child can be here not far from my class,” Montoya said. “That’s tremendous for me.”
For Montoya’s son, 14-year-old Antonio, being at the after-school club is more engaging than sitting in a classroom. Antonio has ADHD, and likes that the club offers everything from music lessons to communication skills to sports. Sometimes he does homework, sure. But sometimes he’s practicing his beatboxing while his classmates keep time; he’s working toward entering an international competition in Tokyo this October.
Antonio said the staff knows how to mediate conflict, particularly because such a wide age range of kids…
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