Now welcoming families! Community Action Marin recently celebrated the grand opening of our newest location in downtown San Rafael, the De Colores Children's Center and Family & Safety Net Services Hub.
Located at 1123 Court Street, and in partnership with Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, the site is a comprehensive service center offering child care, family services, and access to safety net supports, including rent, energy, and cash assistance. Agency staff also ensure referrals to community partners to help people get from crisis to thriving. The De Colores Children's Center has both Early Head Start facilities (serving children 0-3 years) and preschool classrooms for children 3-5 years old. The agency's whole family approach ensures that children get a great start, families can count on high-quality care, and across generations, people are supported in reaching their dreams.
"De Colores takes our learning from opening earlier this year with on-site safety net services in Marin City and ensures that families are receiving not only 0-5 high-quality child care, but also ready access to the services they need to be self-sufficient. This model will strengthen outcomes for those we serve," said Chandra Alexandre, Chief Executive Officer.
Strategically located in downtown San Rafael, the Center is less than 2 miles from the Canal District and easily accessible by public transportation. The partnership with St. Paul’s creates even stronger relationships within the larger community.
“The Children and Family Services team is excited to open our newest early learning facility, De Colores Children’s Center and Family & Safety Net Services Hub. De Colores serves children ages 0-3 in the Early Head Start classrooms and children 3-5 in our Head Start/State Pre-K preschool classrooms. By integrating family services with safety net support programs, we have created a holistic approach to providing families with excellent child care, and the needed supports to thrive in their community. The expansion of our facilities to downtown San Rafael demonstrates our continued commitment to provide comprehensive early childhood education and family services to the neighborhood’s most in need,” said Monique Liebhard, Vice President of Children and Family Services.
The opening event was well attended by families and children enrolled in the Children’s Center. Enthusiastic children eagerly helped the respective teaching teams cut the ribbons to all the classrooms and infant area. An abundance of Community Action Marin staff members were in attendance to greet visitors and provide tours of the newly renovated facilities. Lunch boxes for invited guests were provided by parishioners of the Church.
“The community of St. Paul’s church is excited to host the De Colores Children’s Center and for the exciting possibilities it gives us to walk shoulder to shoulder with the teachers, the staff and, above all, the families the Center serves. It is our passion to get to know and serve our neighbors. This opens up new avenues for relationships,” said The Reverend Christopher Martin, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
The grand opening celebration welcomed families enrolled at the Children's Center, key members of the community, local elected officials, church parishioners and agency partners. Speakers at the main ribbon-cutting ceremony included Supervisor Dennis Rodoni (County of Marin Board of Supervisors), Councilmember Maika Llorens Gulati (San Rafael City Council), Roger Crawford (Board Chair, Community Action Marin), Chandra Alexandre (CEO, Community Action Marin), Monique Liebhard (Vice President of Children and Family Services, Community Action Marin), Rommel Carrera (Director Family Services, Community Action Marin), Maria Pech (Head Start Policy Council Vice President), and The Reverend Christopher Martin (Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church).
If you are interested in enrolling your child in the Children’s Center, please contact us at 415-526-7500.
