Select Page
Community members and early childhood leaders are celebrating the re-opening of the Community Learning Center (CLC) in Downtown Fresno. An open house event on October 13 gave the community a peek inside after a nearly two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The CLC houses a network of community partners in one location to provide workshops, screenings, and services that foster healthy relationships, healthy living, and aim to increase school readiness skills. These services are available to Fresno County families with children five years and younger.

 

 

This is all made possible through a partnership between First 5 Fresno County (F5FC) and Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC). Fresno EOC will operate the CLC, located on the second floor of F5FC’s Lighthouse for Children.

 

Fresno EOC Chief Executive Officer Emilia Reyes is thrilled about the new partnership and opportunities to create strong pathways for local families and their children. “We know a child’s first five years are crucial for their development. As the former Executive Director of First 5 Fresno County, this partnership holds a special place in my heart. We are investing in our children and families, to make the greatest impact, even before birth.”

 

First 5 Fresno County’s Executive Director, Fabiola González greeted community members at the open house, and said while the pandemic increased challenges to raising healthy children, this re-opening marks a time to celebrate. “The CLC is back! We hope families can lean on the Center as a resource to support their parenting journey. The vision has always been for the CLC to be a space and part of downtown Fresno that provides Fresno County families access to services and resources to support the transformative first five years of life. And today, we welcome a new partnership with Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission as the Center’s new operator.”

 

During the open house, visitors were able to take a self-guided tour of the CLC, which has a kitchen, living room area, a lactation lounge, and classrooms. They also had a chance to meet service providers and programming staff and get a glimpse of what types of support will be offered to parents and children.

 

Analisa Lopez and her 4-year-old Sebastian attended the CLC open house. She and her son were clients at the Center before it closed due to the pandemic and she  looks forward to learning about the new services. “I am happy it’s re-opening. We came here since he was about a year old for the play group. He is an only child and he is very shy. So, I want to get information about socialization classes, plus I’d like to find out about a Head Start location near us.”

 

One significant issue in our community is the lack of access to quality services which results in disproportionate poor outcomes in health and early childhood development for many of Fresno’s children. The CLC is designed to provide easier access to our Fresno families.

 

Services offered at the CLC include health and dental screenings, vaccinations, socialization groups, nutrition, family interventions, support for families with special needs, and early literacy. These services are provided by Fresno EOC and our partners, including Fresno Metro Ministry, Focus Forward, Exceptional Parents Unlimited, and the Fresno County Library.

 

If you would like more information about the Community Learning Center, call (559) 558-4949 or click here.

 

Subscribe

* indicates required





Health Services - Contact Julio