Ribbon-cutting event held for East Coast Migrant Head Start Project’s new campus
ROCKY POINT, N.C. (WECT) - A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, July 14, at 11 a.m. for the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP) Rocky Point Educational Campus.
The facility, which is located at 55 Old Blossom Ferry Road in Rocky Point, includes dedicated classrooms for toddlers and pre-k students, offices for staff and a “nature scape” playground.
“They’ve started as you know, a baby in the program and now they’re going to kindergarten. You know, he’s learned his letters, numbers, and colors. He’s blossomed so much. You know, he’s talking in complete sentences.”
Margarita Barajas looks back fondly on her young son’s experience in the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project.
Her daughter and other children will join the project as well at the program’s new Rocky Point Education Campus.
Friday’s ribbon cutting is symbolic of each child starting their education journey.
“The campus will provide early childhood education, nutrition, and comprehensive health services to children of migrant and seasonal farm workers in the area,” a news release states. “The new facility replaces the educational campus previously located in Long Creek, NC after being destroyed by Hurricane Florence in 2018. Many Long Creek employees had been transferred to another campus close by while others are returning to work for the first time in almost 5 years.”
Mia Morris, who was the Health and Disabilities Coordinator for the Long Creek campus, will be the Rocky Point Campus Director.
“This project has been in the works for at least four years due to setbacks as a result of the pandemic,” said Morris. “But the day is finally here, and Rocky Point is now officially open as East Coast’s newest Center of Excellence.”
ECMHSP officials say about 80% of the children that attended the Long Creek campus will be continuing their education at Rocky Point.
Maria Garza is the CEO of the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project. She says the new facility will provide everything from dedicated classrooms and offices for staff to a state-of-the-art playground.
“The children start with us as early as six weeks old, and as old as six years of age. Our children are learning how to read, they read books and we are introducing a curriculum, very strong within STEM. They’re learning how to do projects and construct buildings,” Garza said. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment and high-quality care to the families we serve, and this new facility reflects that.”
It’s the outcome of lots of time and energy, an effort that’s already making a difference on the next generation.
“Every time I walk into a classroom, what I see is happiness, the smiles of the children, and how they’re learning. We have dedicated staff, professional teachers, who follow a special curriculum. And the children are learning every day and that is evident,” Garza said.
The program is dual language, and not only teaches them the basics of science, but healthy eating habits as well.
All with the goal of getting them ready for school, and life as well.
“They have taught them so much you know, and I appreciate everything they have done,” Barajas said.
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