Darla's Mom

School is a lifesaver for a few parents because it’s a safe place for your child to be that is usually free.

The week before Darla started school I realized she wasn’t going to get into the free after school care and I had to hunt. I was so lucky that someone suggested I called Los Angeles City recreation and Parks and talk to Juchelle. she agreed to come in on a Saturday so my daughter could meet her and feel comfortable going with her after school.

5 years later we are still using the parks religiously. (Not the original park because the Humphreys Park in Pacoima is where she got a black eye and they took no accountability for it other than a phone call to me.) I just signed her up for Delano’s Park so that she can be there from 8:00 to 6:00 and do her school work.

She would rather do camp Kaleidoscope at Northridge but that one is $150 a week. So that’s $300 for two weeks and $600 for a month and I just can’t afford that.

But I am so grateful to know that she will be with adults and have food and care provided to her so that I can work without worry.