Visit to Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) preschool center in Oxnard. Courtesy photo.
Visit highlights local and statewide issues in early childhood education for agricultural families
Oxnard, CA – The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is a non-profit, community-based organization that was established in 1963 in order to serve disadvantaged individuals and families throughout California. This past Friday May 29th, Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) visited the local center in Oxnard operated by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.
“Today I was able to witness first-hand the amazing early childhood education services MAOF provides to Oxnard families.” Assemblymember Irwin stated in a media release. “Investing in early childhood education has long-term positive results and cost savings for our State. I am grateful we have one of their preschools in our community and for their ongoing investment in our future generations.”
The Oxnard center currently serves 45 children, most of which have parents working in the local Agricultural community and struggle with a lack of affordable early childhood education programs. Statewide, MAOF operates nearly 8,000 child care and early childhood education programs serving 100,000 Californians – 95 percent of whom are low- to moderate-income. Their mission is to provide for the socio-economic betterment of the greater Latino community of California, while preserving the pride, values and heritage of the Mexican American culture.
The members took the opportunity to learn about the school and the foundation and the challenges they face, as well as read stories and have fun with the children. “It was a pleasure to join Assemblymember Irwin to see MAOF’s great work in enforcing lifelong habits for learning and health.” Assemblymember Rendon said. “The experience highlighted how much more we should be investing in early childhood education to ensure all of our youth get a head start in life.”
— Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin represents California’s 44th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Camarillo, Casa Conejo, Channel Islands Beach, El Rio, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Oak Park, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Rosa Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.
— Assemblymember Anthony Rendon is serving in his second term representing the 63rd Assembly District, which includes the cities and communities in southeast Los Angeles County. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Rendon was executive director of several early childhood education centers.