Holly's Blog

2010-01-29T09:20:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of serving as the Mistress of Ceremonies for Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ 18th Annual Empowerment Congress and was honored to be able to be in the same company as keynote speaker Marian Wright Edelman.

What she said in her opening remarks has resonated with me throughout this past week. Enough that I wanted to share.

Marian Wright Edelman is the founder of the Children’s Defense Fund and has made it her legacy to champion the needs of children. As CEO of Crystal Stairs, I am both in awe of her dedication and work, and consider myself a fellow soldier in her campaign for change.

So, it warmed (and sometimes chilled) my heart to hear her speak passionately and truthfully about where we stand as a state and a nation when it comes to fighting for our children.

In the state of California, the cost to care for 170,000 prisoners is the same as for 3 million college students. I still cannot wrap my mind around those numbers and that reality.

Our cradle to prison pipeline is growing and becoming stronger every day. I also find that frustrating. While I am excited about our “Education vs. Prison Pipelines: Where do our priorities lie?” Community Dialogue in June (you will hear more about this soon), I also echo the sentiments of Ms. Edelman; we need to stop the adult hypocrisy and refocus on getting our priorities right, and organizing and empowering our communities.

She shared an allegory about a herd of buffalo coming back to save a lost baby that was being threatened by lions and alligators and asked where was our human herd? Where are the adults, learning systems and safe havens, to keep the children out of harm’s way?

Now is the time to reweave the fabric of our community. Now is the time to fight the gang and video posses with our own posse – a family and community posse that is built on love, pride, respect, activity, spirituality and health.

She shared a quote from Frederick Douglas; that it is much easier to raise strong children than it is to repair broken men.

I hear you, Ms. Edelman. Loud and clear. And I am willing to do my part! Who out there will join me?

On a side note, I encourage you to visit the America I Am exhibition at the California Science Center. It is up through April 15, 2010

Be encouraged to get involved

2010-01-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

The first month of the year has not even ended and already, we as a state, nation and global community, are being faced with daunting challenges.

The Governor released his budget for the State and we are facing a $20 Billion deficit. While quite different from last year's $40 Billion deficit, it is also much different from the years not long ago when we had surplus budgets and were able to contemplate growth and programs rather than reductions and pain. It is amazing to me that just a few seasons ago, we as a state had $128 Billion in revenue and now we struggle with making ends meet with 1/3 less. Volatile and shrinking revenue streams only hurt the people who need help the most. The poor, children, the disabled and ill all suffer when government support is stopped, but at the end of the day, we all suffer, because we all rely on the government for something. Roads, tolls, stoplights, the police and fire departments, sanitation and more. They all are courtesy of government. Nonetheless, I worry about the choices that will have to be made to balance this budget.

On a national level, we just witnessed a rather historical election in Massachusetts, which was won on a single issue: health care reform. Millions of people in this country are under-insured. In California, 6.6 million people are uninsured, many of whom are children. And yet, as a nation, we encourage healthy living and wellness, and yet we also seem quite reluctant to want everyone to have a basic right: universal access to healthcare. I don't understand that, especially when studies all show that it is far cheaper for a society to be well than it is to be sick. At least in the long run.

And then in the midst of all of this, a horrifying and shocking natural disaster strikes the country of Haiti and reminds us all that we are human, and that we must work together; because at the end of day, we are all connected. It has been sad to watch the news coverage on this tragedy. For me, it brings up memories of Katrina. And yet, as always, it has been touching to see the human spirit rally together in kindness and courage to help one's fellow man, woman, and child. Regardless of the distance.

I hope you will consider getting involved in life in 2010. And in February, that means getting involved in local and state conversations about this state budget and what cuts will mean and why social programs are so critically important. I hope you will also get involved in local and national conversations about health care because we all need access to affordable coverage. There is dignity in being able to be healthy and we deserve that. And lastly, I hope you will get involved in helping Haiti; by giving (we have a link on our website), or just by learning more about the country. Because the children of the world need us & are counting on us to do the right thing - Give.

Happy January.

Welcome to my Blog!

2009-12-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

I thought it fitting to start my first blog entry along with the electronic release of our 2008-09 Annual Report. Crystal Stairs is moving into the 21st Century and as we enter into the second decade of this century, I want to share my profound thanks to all of the parents, child care providers, and child care advocates who have supported Crystal Stairs and our work.

This coming year, we celebrate 15 years of our SAGE Nickerson Gardens Child Care Center; 30 years of Crystal Stairs being in and of the community; and the emerging importance that child care plays in our economy and in the success of families.

The New Year is all about resolutions. Often times, we end up breaking them well before the year is over. So, while I will not make any New Year’s resolutions today, I will say that I plan to regularly share insights about what is happening in our community and in the world of child care. You know, as the parent of a growing 9-year old, child care is more than just a profession for me. It was part of a strong foundation I had and needed to prepare my child for school. Family support and community involvement are other parts of that foundation. And so, I also plan to share information through my blog on important conversations and happenings that are taking place for, in and about our community.

So, please look for my blog entries. I promise they will be short, fun, informative and insightful.

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Have a joyful and safe New Year. And please enjoy our newest Annual Report.

Warmly,

Holly J. Mitchell
Chief Executive Officer