LEAP Central Coast

A big thank you to Montecito Bank & Trust for recognizing LEAP at this year’s Community Dividends luncheon. Each year, they host this amazing event to recognize and celebrate nonprofits across the Central Coast, and we’re honored to be among those making a difference for children and families. Their valued partnership supports us in providing childcare, family support, and community leadership across Santa Barbara County.

https://lnkd.in/gr8zQjUg

?Staff Spotlight ? “What I enjoy most about cooking for the kids at the Children’s Center is having the opportunity to create memories through food. To me, the greatest reward is knowing that we are able to provide healthy, nutritious meals to each child that walks through the door.” - Chef Matthew Every school day, Matthew and his team prepare over 400 nourishing, in-house meals for all children and staff, filling our Phelps kitchen and center with the warm scents of a homemade meal. Each meal is served family-style to students and teachers, encouraging group conversation and shared experiences. At our Family Fiestas, Matthew’s team goes above and beyond, creating bountiful feasts for over 120 guests. These meals are a hit at our Family Fiestas, where we celebrate cultures and forge connections over shared dishes and fun activities. It’s a time for sharing, learning, and setting aside space for family time. We love having these home-cooked meals for our staff and students. Thank you to Chef Matthew, and his team, Ariadna and Fere!

Join us for a diaper drive, craft beers, and BBQ hosted by Mylestone BBQ! With live music and amazing raffle prizes such as a Mylestone BBQ gift card and an annual membership to Draughtsmen Aleworks, this is a party you won’t want to miss! Bring your friends, family, and boxes of diapers for donation. ?? When: Saturday, December 14th, 11 AM - 4 PM ?? Where: Draughtsmen Aleworks, 53 Santa Felicia Dr, Goleta, CA 93117 ?? The event is free to attend, with raffle tickets available for purchase ? For every pint sold, $1 will be donated to LEAP! We hope to see you there! For more information or to view raffle guidelines, visit: https://lnkd.in/gNUsqTKF

Building something special takes time, and we’re so close to opening the doors of LEAP’s new Lompoc Children’s Center! We’re thrilled to see our third Children’s Center coming to life, thanks to the incredible efforts of our Director of Early Childhood Programs, Serineh Vartani, and our Children’s Center Assistant Director, Christie Broesamle, along with their skilled team. Guided by research and hands-on experience, they’ve created an environment that’s thoughtfully designed to inspire learning, play, and growth. We had the chance to share their work with local leaders and community partners during a special walkthrough, offering them a preview of the inspiring learning environment we’re building. Special thanks to?Lompoc City Council Member Jeremy Ball; Lompoc Building Supervisor Matthew Wyatt Wyatt; Ashley Costa, Executive Director of Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO); and Supervisor Joan Hartmann, along with her team members Oscar and District Representative Alma Hernandez, for taking the time to learn about our work and experience the center firsthand. With features like the only orchard at a children’s center in the tri-counties, this new center is ready to serve as a hub where young minds can grow and families can come together. We look forward to opening our doors soon!

Our 2023-2024 Annual Report is here! From nurturing young minds at our Children's Centers to providing essential resources and support through our Family Resource Center, this report showcases the impact that LEAP and our supporters have in our community. Every diaper distributed, every meal shared, and every child's smile tells the story of our collective impact. We're especially proud to present this year's report in both English and Spanish, reflecting our commitment to accessible communication with our entire community. Explore our impact and let the numbers speak for themselves. Visit our Annual Report page:?https://lnkd.in/gvmkUKSJ

Save the Date for the 2025 LEAP Awards! We’re excited to announce that this year’s LEAP Awards will take place on March 13, 2025! Each year, LEAP hosts a free and virtual event celebrating two individuals who have positively shaped the lives of children and families throughout the Central Coast. This year, we are proud to honor two remarkable leaders, Ernesto Paredes and Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons, for their outstanding contributions to our community. Additionally, as a leading organization in early childhood education for over 50 years, we’re thrilled to introduce a new award category: the Distinguished Alumni Award. Our first honoree, Amir Abo-Shaeer, an alumnus of our Children's Center, will be celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the community and his journey that began with LEAP. Proceeds from this event support LEAP’s vital services, helping to further our mission of supporting children and families across the Central Coast. We can’t wait to celebrate together! This signature virtual event will be held: Thursday, March 13, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm Free and Virtual Visit the link below for more information or to learn how to become a LEAP Awards Sponsor! https://lnkd.in/gEyx3Etr

“During the pandemic, I was volunteering for the Foodbank and read something about diaper need [...] It seemed like a great project to take on.” — Wendi Ostroff Our recent diaper drive was featured in Noozhawk! Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gAwesbGy

We were blown away by the community’s response to the diaper drives. We set an ambitious goal of raising 10,000 diapers during National Diaper Need Awareness Week and surpassed that by over 1,000 diapers. Learn more about our recent successful diaper drive in the Santa Barbara Independent: https://lnkd.in/gVX72W4X

We did it! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we surpassed our goal and collected 11,331 diapers during National Diaper Need Awareness Week! Because of YOU, babies in our community will stay healthy, dry, and comfortable for the next two months. A huge thank you to our amazing Diaper Drive Partners who made this possible: ?? RG Photography: 3,041 ?? Congregation B’nai B’rith: 2,600 ?? Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Lompoc: 2,012 ?? Moms Demand Action SB: 1,525 ?? Old Town Coffee: 1,320 ?? Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara: 575 ?? Supervisor Laura Capps and Supervisor Joan Hartmann: 258 To see our full list of partners, visit https://lnkd.in/gg6fBAyK