Young parents in Central Texas are focusing on education with a new head start program

WACO, Texas (KXXV) – Waco ISD and the Economics Opportunities Advancement Corp have come together through a $60,000 federal grant, offering child care and education services to students in the district who have children from six weeks to three years old. young parents with educational opportunities and carefree childcare.

This head start center is located at the former Brazos High School.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

23-year-old Christopher Judie drops off his eight-month-old daughter in a unique place.

“I just wanted a place where I knew my baby was safe, and a place where I knew she would be loved and still have her free time to play,” Judie said.

During the day, she attends childcare at the Brazos EOAC Early HeadStart Center – the former Brazos High School.

“It gives us time to start making money, it gives us time to take care of our business – to make sure we make our money to make sure the bills get paid and that we have enough money to make our to have a baby,” Judie said.

The district is partnering with the Economics Opportunities Advancement Corp, or EOAC, through a $60,000 federal grant to provide childcare and education-based services to students in the district who have children between the ages of six weeks to three years old. .

“We take the students and provide child care so they can focus on their education and get their degrees,” said Lauryn Morotn, site manager for the Head Start program.

That childcare is provided to 40 of the district’s former and current students, helping young parents like Judie.

He says if it weren’t for programs like this, it would be even more difficult to earn his college degree at MCC.

“Once you have a baby, everything is serious,” Judie said.

“I know we’re still young, but having a baby is serious. We have to take care of our business at all times.”