Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo Thursday helped celebrate the grand reopening of a preschool in Lincoln Heights named after him.
Cedillo was joined by Plaza de La Raza Child Development Services Inc., community members and some preschoolers at the new Gilbert Cedillo Center, which was renovated using federal Head Start funds. The previous preschool site operated out of an older modular classroom, which was replaced and upgraded, Cedillo’s office said.
Cedillo also presented Plaza de La Raza Child Development Services Inc. with a $25,000 check to benefit the organization’s unrestricted fund.
“It is an honor to have a preschool named after me,” Cedillo said. “I remember when we first dedicated this site in 2012, both of my parents were still with us. I cannot think of a better cause to support than early childhood education. It prepares our youth to have an equal start when they begin kindergarten. We have made a modest donation to the organization so that it can reach additional children in our district. The upgraded facility gives children a learning environment that provides them the dignity and respect they deserve while in school.”
Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is a non-profit agency that specializes in providing Early Head Start and Head Start education in Los Angeles County.
“We are excited to continue providing high quality early education services to the Lincoln Heights community through the Gilbert Cedillo center,” Plaza de La Raza Child Development Services Inc. Executive Director Norayma Cabot said. “It is imperative that our students have appropriate learning facilities that match our stellar education services. Thank you to the Los Angeles County Office of Education Head Start program for helping us secure the funds to renovate the site and to the office of Councilmember Gil Cedillo for assisting with permits to get this site activated once again. We have been in this community for decades and plan to be here for decades to come.”
The center has a new modular, playground, turf, sunshade, landscaping and a new handicapped parking stall. The total cost of the project was $1,123,671.