Preschool Needs Funds for Literacy Project

Preschooler David Navarro, staring up at a computer screen and wearing giant headphones, was tuned out from the world.

As the 4-year-old watched and listened attentively, the letters of the alphabet appeared on the screen.

David was among two dozen Oxnard children preparing to read and write during one of the sessions at El Centrito de La Colonia preschool.

El Centrito is one of the nonprofit organizations serving disadvantaged children and youths eligible for funding from the Los Angeles Times Holiday Campaign. The campaign aids charities in six Southern California counties.

The Holiday Campaign was established last year after The Times merged with Tribune Co. It is part of the Los Angeles Times Family Fund, which includes the Times’ Summer Camp Program, and is administered by the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

El Centrito did not receive Holiday Campaign funds last year, but Louann Rocha, its executive director, plans to apply this year.

The program is particularly strapped because several public and private grants did not come through to meet the preschool’s $144,000 budget.

Jesus Rocha, Louann’s husband, grew up in La Colonia, a section of Oxnard that is home to many who work in the fields of Ventura County. The Rochas, who have backgrounds in social work, decided to start a social service organization 10 years ago.

“A key thing was [providing] quality services that were bilingual and respected [the recipients’] strengths,” Louann Rocha said.

The preschool, one of four components of El Centrito, opened in La Colonia but has since expanded.

Students of all ages use a computer lab in La Colonia to do their homework. The organization also operates an after-school program at Cesar Chavez Elementary School.

The preschool, another computer lab and El Centrito’s headquarters are at the old Oxnard High School on 5th Street.

Altogether, the agency, with a full- and part-time staff of 16, serves about 250 youths.

The preschool, called the “School Readiness Program,” is the jewel of El Centrito, Louann Rocha said.

About 50 4-year-olds attend each semester, children who are just getting started on their education, Rocha said.

On a recent day, David continued his lesson--watching the screen and singing along with the alphabet song.

“The idea is that when they go to kindergarten, it won’t be the first time they are exposed to this,” said Lucia Garcia, the preschool’s program coordinator.

In addition to the computer exercises, the children write their names, color, sing, dance and participate in outdoor activities.

Mildred Murray-Ward, a Cal Lutheran University education professor, recently tested the students’ reading and language development. She found they were making bigger gains than students from the neighborhood who were not enrolled in the program.

“I think it’s a very positive program and the children have really benefited from it,” said Murray-Ward.

Her report also praised the involvement of parents, who take turns coming into the classroom to participate in activities.

“I like to learn things that I can teach my children at home,” said Emma Sanchez, whose son, Jesus, is in the program. “I’m learning to be more patient.”

THE TIMES HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN

Tax deductible donations: Donations (checks or money orders) should be sent to L.A. Times Holiday Campaign, File #56491, Los Angeles 90074-6491. Please do not send cash. Credit card donations can be made at: https://www.latimes.com/holidaycampaign. Contributions of $25 or more will be acknowledged in the Los Angeles Times unless a donor requests otherwise. For more information about the Holiday Campaign, call (800) 528-4637 (LA TIMES), Ext. 75480.