Volunteers of America Celebrates New Openings

SAN BERNARDINO>> Members of Volunteers of America, a nonprofit faith-based organization, went to the San Manuel Stadium to help tell families about their services, as well as celebrating their opening of two programs. Blanca Maldonado, Family and Community Partnership Specialist, has worked for Volunteers of America for three years and said the event was a success. During the event, CEO and President of Volunteers of America Gerald McFadden threw the first pitch to kick off the game. Maldonado said it was a highlight of the night as well as for the community that was built within the city. The goal of this event was to promote the services that Volunteers of America offers in San Bernardino. “Our program also provides families with an opportunity to establish partnerships with staff and connect with the community,” Maldonado said. The program offers early head start programs serving children 0-3 years old, preschool programs serving 3-5 years old and a public charter elementary school serving Kindergarten to 2nd grade this year. Maldonado said she believes the organization’s mission and services were promoted well during the event. “The event overall was a success,” Maldonado said. “We received positive feedback from families who attended the game. We were able to recruit new families as well. This event was our first time connecting with the Inland Empire 66er’s, we hope to continue organizing events like these.” Maldonado said the organization is expanding in San Bernardino to assist families with children 0-7 years of age. The Early Head Start program offers services to children 0-3 years of age and prenatal moms. The preschool program provides services to children 3-5 years old and the Ballington Charter School offers transitional kindergarten through 2nd grade. Volunteers of America serve families in San Bernardino, Rialto, Grand Terrace, Loma Linda, Colton, Highland, Mentone and Bloomington. The charter school can serve students who reside anywhere in the State of California. Maldonado said the organization currently has two child development centers providing quality day care for families that have children 0-3 years of age. One site is located in the city of San Bernardino across the street from the National Orange Show and the second site is located in the city of Rialto. “We are excited to announce an additional site as we expand our program and we are enrolling now, located at 799 Rialto Ave. The expansion includes an additional Early Head Start and our public charter school Ballington Academy.”