LEGISLATORS FIGHT CLOSING OF GWEN CHERRY CENTER

BY MARKASHIA C. JETER
OUTLOOK STAFFWRITER

Rep. Marti Coley, R Tallahassee, says she believes it will be a disservice to the community and to former legislator Gwen Cherry that the Gwen Cherry Child Care Center be closed due to recent budget cuts.

The center will close its doors April 30. The Department of Education has decided to not fund the center as a means to save capital after the recent budget cuts. Members of the Florida House of Representatives met with the Florida Department of Education Commissioner, Eric Smith, to urge him to open the center.

Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, is spearheading the fight to keep the center open and become a model center across the state. “Education is the key, especially early childhood education,” Vasilinda said. “Florida’s contribution to the nation’s talent pool must begin now and can begin with Gwen Cherry (Center). If only we are willing to work together to make it possible.”

The Center was named after Rep. Gwen Cherry, a graduate and professor of law at Florida A&M University’s law school and one of the first African- American women lawyers in the state, and the first female African American State representative.

Vasilinda notes the center as a place of commitment, dedication, nurturing care that should be preserved, not dismantled, with parents who have formed a well- run PTA and volunteers who care deeply about the welfare and education of the children. Coley says there is nothing easy about the situation.

“We would all like to see if open only if there are quality providers,” Coley said. “The Department of Education put the bids out and the providers that responded did not meet the qualifications.”

Democrats believe closing the center would disrupt family and teacher ties and put more workers out of jobs adding to Florida’s unemployment. Many fear Cherry’s namesake may fade. In addition, announcing the closing of the center in February during African-American History Month and during the month of Cherry’s untimely death 31 years ago, sounds a discordant note to citizens.

There is a strong and able group of concerned citizens, leaders and elected officials, including the Early Childhood Caucus, who stand ready to offer assistance and support. CEO of Florida Children’s Service Council Vivian Alarcon empathizes with the parents, workers and staff of the Gwen Cherry Child Development Center.

“Ultimately the kids need a place to be taught,” said Alarcon. “However, anyone who has a small child in childcare knows it’s not easy to remove the child from that environment. The kids get attached to the teacher and the teachers get attached to the children. It is a crisis and I’m afraid we will see more of it.”