My name is LouMecia Staton, and I am extremely honored to be an inaugural Rootle Ambassador! Over the past seven years, I have had the pleasure of serving at the Guilford County Partnership for Children. My current role at the partnership is as the Community Outreach Manager. Our organization is very grateful for Smart Start in Guilford County. All the opportunities we have through our various Smart Start-funded partners enable us to serve the community in many ways. Programs such as EQuIPD, Healthy Start, Guilford Family Connects, NC Pre-K and the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library allow us to touch the lives of children, families and our essential and critically important early childhood teachers.
This January, we are refreshed and ready for the new year. Over the past couple of years, our communities and families have experienced many hardships due to the pandemic. From family routine disruptions to tissue paper scavenger hunts, we went through a lot navigating this new normal! But here’s what we know about the families of North Carolina: they are resilient. Our children are not only the core of our families, but they are the source of strength when we need a reason to press on. Their futures depend on how programs, agencies and support systems respond to their needs today. And I’m proud to be a part of the PBS North Carolina family through PBS KIDS, as their team strives to ensure that families, children and teachers have what they need to succeed and thrive.
One thing that we continue to say in early childhood is one thing we’ve always known. Our teachers are professionals, and they’ve ALWAYS been essential. Our teachers, administrators, center staff, and family child care homes continued to serve when it seemed like the world stopped. Our programs in the community supporting families across the state found new and creative ways to continue serving them in the virtual world. We’ve made sure to stay present to let our families know, “we’re in this together” and that they are not alone.
The COVID-19 pandemic put greater emphasis on the needs of our communities. All of us working to uplift families and children, especially pre-kindergarteners, are needed more than ever before. As we remember what we’ve experienced together, I think about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his hope for our future. As we pause to reflect on his legacy this month in celebration of his life, take some time to celebrate the families, children and teachers in your local community. Let us begin this new year as one family, supporting one another in North Carolina, as only North Carolinians can do!
If you’re ever in Guilford County, stop by to visit one of our local parks! Guilford County is a wonderful place to visit, get outside and enjoy. To learn about our parks and more, please visit parkfinder.guilfordcountync.gov.
LouMecia J. Staton, MSA, currently works for the Guilford County Partnership for Children as the Community Outreach Manager. Over the past 20 years, she has accrued work experience in education, non-profits, community outreach, social work, program administration, human services and child development. LouMecia resides in Greensboro with her husband, Edwin.
LouMecia Staton is a member of our inaugural group of Rootle Ambassadors representing Guilford County.