‘Motown & Mingle’ event fetes Early Head Start programs

Supporters of the Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County stepped back in time and got their groove on during a Motown & Mingle fundraiser at Summer Crush Winery that celebrated the EOC’s six decades as a vital provider of Early Head Start programs for infants and toddlers, and Head Start programs for 3- and 4- year-olds.

In addition to its focus on early childhood development and kindergarten readiness for children from low-income families, the EOC offers a multi-step REACH Family Self-Sufficiency program that helps adults reach their educational and vocational goals.

As October is Head Start Awareness Month, the event was perfectly timed to raise awareness and funds to continue its current programs while reflecting on the profound history of the nonprofit and its renewed commitment to the future.

The organization highlighted the effects of its programs on individual lives and the community through its mission “to transition at-risk individuals and families from poverty to self-sufficiency through our agency programs and public/private partnerships.”

While guests enjoyed an evening of music from Muffy Charles and the A.S.A.P. Band, sipped Summer Crush wines, perused raffle items, and dined on a meal catered by Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, DJ Lady Rasta spun some tunes while the FLAVA, Inc. Dance Crew performed and gave line dancing lessons.

Later, the fun-filled atmosphere transitioned into a powerful testament of the EOC mission to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to become educated, self-sufficient, improve their living conditions, and achieve their full potential.

Board Chairman Leonard Frankel noted that outside of Indian River County, the organization has become a Community Action Agency and is a vital Head Start provider for Okeechobee County.

“As a leader in early childhood education, we helped prepare over 15,000 children for kindergarten,” Frankel said. “We’re planning on expanding by rebuilding two new children’s centers within the next few years, one in Okeechobee and our newest facility in Fellsmere, a much-needed area,” he added.

Several Head Start and REACH graduates shared moving testimonies of the profound impact EOC programs have had on their lives, including Laticia Nikki Boswell, executive director and founder of Helping Hands, who has had a 30-plus-year journey with the EOC.

“I started as a child; I was a student. And then years after that, I became staff for 21 years,” she recalled, crediting Angela Green, EOC executive director, as being her pop-in person and encourager.

“I truly can say that I would not have been this far without the support of Ms. Green,” said Boswell.

Franklin Johnson III, the current Head Start and Early Head Start director, said he started as a teacher in 2006 with “zero” knowledge. He then progressed through the agency, becoming a site manager, an early education specialist and, in 2019, the director.

“It was a journey. I went through each aspect of the agency to know what it takes and what it consists of before I became the Head Start director,” he explained, adding that he, too, was a Head Start student.

The celebration recognized several crucial community collaborations.

Wendy Grow, REACH program coordinator, presented the Partnership Award to Treasure Coast Technical College, commenting that almost half the LPN class in the college’s top-rated program had been REACH students.

Cassandra, a 2018 graduate and the first recipient of the EOC nursing scholarship, is an example of that success. Currently a registered nurse, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. Commenting that her daughter is now following in her footsteps in the same LPN program, she thanked everyone for their support on behalf of all the lives they have touched.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) was also recognized for providing scholarships to assist nursing students in the REACH program.

EOC board member Patti Gibbons said she is raising funds for Head Start through Team Emily in honor of her late daughter, a former Head Start teacher. She stated that she supports the EOC because of her belief in the importance of community support, but particularly now in light of current budget concerns.

“It’s so important that we keep Head Start alive and thriving throughout our country,” she said.
She noted that the EOC has been active since 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson initiated the War on Poverty, changing the lives of millions of children through the Head Start Program.

For more information, visit eocofirc.net.

Photos by Amy Saville