Ten Little Graduates, One Big Milestone
Ten tiny graduates in blue caps and gowns crossed the stage for the first time at LEAP’s Lompoc Children’s Center, celebrating the center’s inaugural graduating class and a major milestone for these young learners preparing to say goodbye to preschool and hello to kindergarten.
For Art’s Sake: How Process Art Builds Lifelong Skills
"Every brushstroke, squish of clay, and splash of color represents a child thinking, experimenting, and discovering," said Lori Lander Goodman, CEO of LEAP. "When we value the creative process over a perfect product, we nurture confident, capable learners who know their ideas matter."
Why Does Childcare Cost So Much? Because It Has To.
I hear it often — from parents, from neighbors, and from people who genuinely cannot believe the number on the invoice. “How can childcare possibly cost that much?” It’s a fair question. And it deserves a real answer, because the price of quality childcare is not the result of anyone getting rich. It is the result of what it actually takes to care for very small children well.
Bringing K Home: A Story of Community, Trust, and Action
This past week has been a intense and remarkable. You may have seen this story in the news. A two-year-old boy, K, detained with his mother in a Texas facility. K is a LEAP student. We invite you to read the full story, including what it took to get K home and how we are continuing to support the family.
LEAP Receives National Diaper Need Awareness Week Proclamation: A Journey of Growth
September 2024 | Lori Goodman As I walked up Farren Road early one morning, I began to reflect on the journey that led us to this momentous day. It all started with a phone call, a seemingly simple idea, and the courage to try something new.
LEAP Receives International Children’s Day Recognition
JUNE 2024 | Lori Goodman I was honored to accept a resolution from the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors honoring LEAP Central Coast for International Children’s Day. I was given the opportunity to address the Supervisors.
Embracing Change and Fostering Creativity: A Leadership Retreat Tale
anuary 2023 | Lori Goodman I’m one of those crazy people who likes change. I’m energized by the prospect of what could be. But, I know this quirk is not the norm. Most people approach change tentatively, and with skepticism. I’m also someone who believes work should be fun.
Let’s Dance! LEAP’s Partnership with the Santa Barbara Dance Institute
Movement, dance and play isn’t just fun, research shows that is helps improve memory, language, attention, emotional regulation and decision making. That’s why LEAP has formed a partnership with the Santa Barbara Dance Institute (SBDI) since 2021, aimed at fostering movement and dance activities at our Children’s Center.
Reflecting on a Five Year Anniversary
This week marks my five year anniversary leading IVYP. Those five years passed in the blink of an eye. The children who were students in our Children’s Center five years ago have all graduated. In January 2018, our community was recovering from the devastating debris flow. Five years later, we are grappling with recovery from […]