Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/community-connections-and-covid-19/5025608/
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I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.
—Brené Brown
In February 2018, the House of Representatives Child Care Center (HRCCC) team collaboratively wrote a new mission statement and set of organizational values. In addition to providing developmentally appropriate, nurturing care for children in the House community, staff committed to three values: partnering to provide solutions, accountability to the center and each other, and respectful and honest communication. In the two years since committing to these values, HRCCC underwent considerable change—moving to a new facility, nearly tripling the number of staff, and welcoming 90 new children. By January 2020, HRCCC had transformed from a five-classroom center with only 21 staff members to a 14-classroom center with 50 staff.
On March 20, 2020, in the midst of preparations to open an additional five classrooms, HRCCC joined child care centers around the world in closing its doors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Like many child care centers, HRCCC continued to stay connected with ...