Pasadena Mayor Honors Early Learning Programs in Week of the Young Child

In a proclamation issued on Monday, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo honored early learning programs as part of the Week of the Young Child. The Mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting families and young children through robust policies and programs.

“We have a strong effort in Pasadena which is looking more and more to support our children and our families and caring for capable young children,” said Mayor Gordo. “We have strong policies and programs which support early, early learning for all young children and we know that these programs are crucial to the development of young children.”

The Pasadena Office of the Young Child, as detailed on the city’s website, is a foundational investment by the city to bring direction and a comprehensive approach to early childhood policies and services in Pasadena. The office was established following the adoption of an early child development policy by the city’s Human Services Commission and the City Council in 2015.

The city’s website states, “How well children are prepared for school is directly related to their early experiences within the home and within their community at large, which influence overall success in school and in life.”

The five-year Master Plan for the Young Child, implemented by the city, unites diverse programs and services into a cohesive, coordinated, family-centered system. The plan focuses on policy, service, and the pursuit of public and private funding options to improve the lives of young children, specifically those from birth to age 5.

PROCLAMATION:

Whereas, quality early childhood education promotes the intellectual, emotional and physical development of children, which in turn prepares them to be responsible and contributing members of society; and

Whereas, Pasadena is a strong, safe community which is supportive of families raising caring and capable children, and it appreciates the many organizations that provide financial support to increase access thigh-quality preschool for our young people; and

Whereas, public policies and programs which support early learning for all young children are crucial to their futures, and teachers and others who contribute significantly to the lives of young children in our community deserve our recognition and gratitude; and

Whereas, as educators and parents around the country celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the Week of the Young Child, the City of Pasadena recognizes and values the importance of quality early childhood education  programs in our community;

Now, Therefore I, Victor M. Gordo, Mayor of the City of Pasadena, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim the week of April 6-12, 2024 in Pasadena as Week of the Young Child.