Success Stories

The Carole Robertson Center is defined by the children and families it serves. Our belief in community, dedication to developing local leadership, respect for diversity, commitment to education, and the value we put on developing relationships with individuals and families, provides the basis for the work that we do.

• Mukisa Kibaya has been attending the Carole Robertson Center for more than half of her life. Her mother Margaret Kibaya enrolled Mukisa in the school age program when Mukisa was only six years old. Mukisa is now 15, and both Mukisa and Margaret remain active in daily activities at the Carole Robertson Center. Their growth at the Center exemplifies the goals of the Parent and Youth Leadership Development Program. Now that she is older, Mukisa reflects back and appreciates the Center for opportunities to "go new places, do things I wouldn't have done otherwise, and be put in contact with people I probably wouldn't have met otherwise." While Mukisa was growing up, her mother Margaret played an active role as a parent at the Center. Margaret participated in parent meetings and has been one of the Center's leading parent fundraisers year after year. A few years ago, Margaret was recruited for the agency's Resource Development committee that reports to the Board of Directors. This committee was a perfect fit for Margaret since her active role in parent fundraising gave her lots of experience and ideas. In time, Margaret was mentored for and elected to the Center's Board of Directors. Margaret says, "I have really gained a lot from the CRCL, and Mukisa loves to come here."
• Lissette Viteri Cruz joined the Center's School Age Child Care Program in 1979 when she was in 3rd grade at a local school. After finishing 8th grade, Lissette participated in the Mayor's Office summer work program for teens, working at the Center in a school age classroom. Lissette identifies this experience as, "the first time I realized I wanted to work with children. The Carole Robertson Center kind of opened the door to that experience." Lissette kept in touch with the Center, but it was not until 1997 that the Center again became a part of her daily life. Lissette enrolled her three year old son Anthony in the Center's Head Start Program. Lissette participated in Head Start's parent governing committee, and her involvement and leadership led her to a seat on the Center's Board of Directors. Lissette remarks that, "Being on the Board is my way of giving back, my way of showing my thanks." Lissette now has three children at the Carole Robertson Center. She and her family remain involved with the Center because of the type of care and the range of services the Center provides. Lissette also likes the fact that she still sees familiar faces around the Center from her days as a child. "They were good people then, and they're good people now."
• Rita Flowers was busy raising six children when she decided that it was time to enter the workforce. In December 1999, Rita joined the Center's community workforce development program, Project HOPE. The program began with an intensive three-month training period, including job readiness and occupational skills training. Rita then progressed to a six-month internship in a classroom at the Center. Soon, Rita realized that she wanted a career in child development and took fast action to put herself on that path. Rita began enrolling in on-site City College classes, taking child development courses at the Center every semester. After graduating from Project HOPE, Rita accepted a full-time position at the Center in a school age classroom. She continued with City College classes, and then began the Center's Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential class. Rita earned her CDA credential in 2001. Rita credits supportive staff that truly care and have an understanding of life outside of the Center with helping her through this long process. Rita also recognizes the opportunities she has at the Center, rhetorically asking, "How many workplaces offer school for free?"
• Vivian Miller , the Director of Human Resources for the Center, became involved with the Center in 1977. "I had been told by my son's pre-school teachers that he was having problems and that he couldn't come to school unless I spent the first hours of the day with him. I discovered that I loved working with pre-school children. My mom worked at the Center, and she told me about a job they had. I got the job, and for the first 8 years, worked part-time. I got my college degree in education and came on full-time in 1985. When I reflect on my experience with the Center, I am amazed by the huge growth that we have undergone. The Center has always represented a family atmosphere. We involve people in the decision making process and build long-lasting relationships. The relationships that we have with community residents that come to the Center is what makes us strong...it makes us different."