The Best Start Compton-East Compton Partnership has organized “A Stroll in the Park, A Family Affair Community Walk and Resource Fair” for Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, which is co-sponsored by the city of Compton Department of Parks and Recreation, will be held at Wilson Park, N. 123 Rose Ave., and the community is invited to attend.
“This fun-packed day will encourage families to get out and enjoy one of the parks in a Compton neighborhood and discover the support services that are available to families, particularly those with children zero to 5,” said Eddie Mae Williams, event chairperson. “We want to encourage families to deepen the bonds between parents and children.”
DJ David Pittman will spin tunes, and there will be a mariachi band and Aztec dancers. Kelly Breaux of Hoop It Up will lead adults and children in how to do the hula hoop. Monica Griffin of Healthy Organic Wellness Movement will teach Zumba dancing, and guests will be able to sample healthy food snacks and participate in giveaway prizes and drawings.
The Best Start Compton-East Compton Partnership decided to hold an event to encourage families to understand the importance of their role in raising children from 0 to 5 years, to encourage parent-engagement with young children and to provide information on resources available to local families. The volunteer organization, co-chaired by Romalis Taylor and Olga Torres, focuses on four specific goals: babies being born at a healthy weight, children maintaining a healthy weight, keeping children safe from abuse and neglect, and preparing children for kindergarten.
Best Start is an effort of First 5 LA, a child advocacy organization created by California voters to invest tobacco tax revenue in programs that improve the lives of children ages 0-5 in Los Angeles County. Studies show that 90 percent of brain development occurs in the first few years of life.
Best Start Compton-East Compton is one of four South L.A. Best Start communities. The other South L.A. Best Start communities include Watts-Willowbrook, West Athens and Broadway Manchester.
To learn more about Best Start Compton-East Compton, contact Best Start Program Officer Alex Wade at (213) 482-7542 or awade@first5la.org. You may also visit www.beststartla.org/compton-east-compton. The Partnership is always looking for new members to join their efforts to keep families strong and healthy.
