“I feel as though the center is my home away from home,” shares Okeena Dickson, a mother from Antioch. “As soon as I get to the center and see the friendly, smiling faces of the staff and even other parents, I immediately feel relieved and I am able to live and be in the moment with my children as they experience life.”
Lincoln Families, who operate the East County First 5 Center in partnership with First 5 Contra Costa, was recently highlighted by the East Bay Times as a part of their Share the Spirit Campaign—a special annual drive during the holiday season. In the article, the Dickson family shares how the center in Pittsburg offers a place for families with young children to gather, provides parent/child learning opportunities, and serves as a resource where families can have access to a helping hand for basic care or concrete supports in times of need.
We followed up with Okeena and George Dickson, immigrants from Guyana who have a 22-month-old son and a 6-month-old son, after the article was published to talk about their experience:
“I really appreciated being involved in the article,” shared George. “Some of the questions really brought to my awareness just how big of a deal the First 5 Center is for my family. The center is part of our weekly family structure and we rely on them. Furthermore, it’s great to see how excited my children get when they know we are about to go to the center.”
George and Okeena moved from the east coast to Antioch three years ago, and were challenged balancing their jobs and family demands without any extended family close by. Okeena was pregnant with her second son when she discovered the East County First 5 Center. Okeena reflected on her experience being interviewed: “It felt great to be able to share my experience at the First 5 centers and potentially influence others to participate in the center.” For Okeena and George, the First 5 Center has become a vital support network for their young family.
Click here to read the full article.
Lincoln Families has operated the East County First 5 Center since July 2023 and has quickly created a space where families feel like they belong. With a focus on school achievement, economic mobility, and community wellness, Lincoln Families provides a continuum of preventative, responsive, and intensive support services to improve outcomes for children and families in both Alameda and Contra Costa.
Click here to learn more about Lincoln Families.