California Child Care Providers Recognized for Service

April 13, 2012

From right to left: Assemblymember Jose Solorio; Child care providers and AFSCME activists Rosa Fonseca, Gabriela Villanes, Elizabeth Lindsay, and Yadhira Ramirez; Santa Ana Councilmember Vincent Sarmiento; Sen. Lou Correa.

At Cesar Chavez Day festivities in Orange County’s Jerome Park, California Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Sen. Lou Correa, Maria Elena Chavez (the niece of Cesar Chavez) and others honored the important work of local child care providers.

“They’re carrying on Cesar’s dream by teaching and caring for children whose parents have to work hard to get by,” said Solorio. “We want to acknowledge the important work they do for the families in my district.”

As the crowd applauded, Santa Ana providers and AFSCME activists Yadhira Ramirez, Rosa Fonseca, Elizabeth Lindsay and Gabriella Villanes were presented with certificates of recognition for their work supporting children in the community.

“It’s great to be recognized in this way and seen as more than just babysitters. We’re all very dedicated to educating children and making sure they have the skills to be great citizens in the future,” said Gabriella Villanes, a provider with 16 years of experience.

Rosa Fonseca, who has been a licensed provider for more than six years, added: “We don’t do this work for the money, the value of our work is reflected in the children.”