The Children’s Playhouse Early Learning Center is the heart of our community in many ways. And this year, the community was devastated, said owner Damaris Alvarado Rodriguez.
Located in a predominantly immigrant, low-income neighborhood in South Philadelphia, the center offers child care, as well as job tips, educational sessions, donations, and more. It is one of three children’s theaters in the city, all owned by Damaris, a businessman from New York City.
All children at the center are U.S. citizens between the ages of 0 and 5, and nearly all come from Hispanic or Asian immigrant families. Before the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown began, the center registered 158 children, the maximum number allowed. Damaris had to close one classroom and lay off five teachers, all of whom were U.S. citizens, two of whom were born in the United States. She is worried about her absent children.
Even her parents, who still have valid immigration status, “went into hiding,” she said. “They had so many policies in place at once that they didn’t know how they would be affected. They were afraid to drop their kids off at school and find ICE waiting.”
If the situation continues, Damaris thinks he may have to close the facility. That would mean 23 more teachers would lose their jobs. “We haven’t been able to fill classrooms. People are afraid,” she said. “Right now, I’m not thinking about running a daycare center at all. If I can’t get people into the daycare center, I won’t be able to continue my business.”
But Damaris is most worried about her family, who she can no longer see, no matter where they are. She doesn’t see kids going out or families attending events. The adults don’t seem to want to go to work. The vans that were transporting residents to factories and construction sites are nowhere to be seen. “No one wants to live in fear,” she said, adding that some families have voluntarily left.
“All of this undoes a lot of the work that we’ve put into building our community,” Damaris said. “They are hard-working people. They contribute to society. [the daycare centers] Contribute to building economic growth. ”
And what about children who are no longer in kindergarten? where are they? “I don’t know,” Damaris said. “I’d love to know. I hope they’re okay.”
Day care centers provided these children with more than just socialization and learning. Damaris regularly raises money to help provide meals, diapers, formula and clothing to families in need. “We want to fill those gaps.”
“We know that most children are food insecure,” Damaris said. “I hope they are safe and well.”
