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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information contact:

Barbara Mainster

RCMA Executive Director, (800) 282-6540

or Linda Hagan,

RCMA Putnam Area Coordinator, (386) 312-2200

INFANTS IN WEST PUTNAM CO. FILL NEW HEADSTARTCENTER

JOHNSON, FL – March 13, 2006 –A new child care center for up to 32 infants was dedicated today by community leaders, local families and staff of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which provides quality child care and early education to children of migrant farm workers and other rural, low-income families.

The new $356,000 building is part of RCMA’s Irene Monroe Walker Head Start complex in WesternPutnamCounty. With 2,500 square feet of space, the new buildingcontains four classrooms, a parent resource room and offices. Outside, there’s a playground with climbing toys for the children to explore and enjoy.

Paid for primarily with grants from the U.S. Department of Health of Human Services, the new building serves babies up to 36 months. Older children, 3-4 years, receive Head Start services at the adjacent building, the former OldOakGroveSchool. In all, approximately 60 children are now enrolled at the center, located at 157 South County Road 21.

During the days of segregated public schools, only African-American children attendedOakGroveSchool. With the advent of integration in 1968, the school was shut down; its students were bused elsewhere. After 30 years of little use and less maintenance, the building was leased to RCMA, which renovated it and began offering Head Start programs for young children.

In 1998, RCMA renamed the building the IreneMonroeWalkerHeadStartCenter in honor of thelongtime civic leader in PutnamCounty. RCMA’s new building is adjacent to the historic school.

Several of Mrs. Walker’s relatives were among approximately 70 community leaders, parents, teachers and staff attending the dedication ceremony, which featured song and dance performed by the children. Special guests included Palatka Mayor Karl Flagg, Putnam County Sheriff Dean Kelly, and Michelle Barth, regional director for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

“These beautiful childrenare our future – and it’s a truly a cultural rainbow,” said Barbara Mainster, RCMA executive director. “The care, nurturing and education they receive here will help start them out on the pathway to success.”

Joining Mainster in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting were Daniel McClendon of Hawthorne, a member of RCMA’s Board of Directors who has two children at the center;Julia Torrance, coordinator of the Walker center; Sarah Cathlino, parent president of the Early Head Start program; and several children.

“This is a very proud day for this community,” McClendon said. “The memory and spirit of Mrs. Walker live on proudly in the classrooms, community rooms and playgrounds of this complex.”

Mrs. Walker (1910-1997) was a driving force to improve the lifestyles of PutnamCounty residents, particularly in the Johnson community. She was active in schools, churches, local government and many other organizations throughout her lifetime. She also worked hard to increase voter registration in PutnamCounty and was instrumental in helping reorganize PutnamCounty’s NAACP chapter. Mrs. Walker often challenged others to better their lives through education.

Ceremonies included presentation of a plaque honoring former principals of the OakGroveSchool: Leroy Mullins, Gertrude Johnson and Thomas Colbert Jr.

The old school building now houses RCMA classrooms, a commercial kitchen, offices and a popular community room. Local civic groups often meet in the spacious community room, and seniors who live nearby enjoy hot meals, watch TV and socialize there on weekdays.

“This is really a neat opportunity to see the old building standing strong again,” said Billie Monroe, president of West Putnam Save Our Children, Inc. Mrs. Monroe, a cousin of Mrs. Walker, attended the old OakGroveSchool. “To see that school renovated and back in use really brings back memories.”

With additional centers in Palatka, PomonaPark and CrescentCity, RCMA cares for over 375 children in PutnamCounty, among more than 6,200 children statewide.

Florida’s largest non-profit child care and early education provider, RCMA operates 75 centers, including two charter schools, in 20 Florida counties. The Immokalee-based organization was founded in 1965 in the Redlands farming area of Miami-DadeCounty.

RCMA is funded by local, state and federal grants, as well as the generosity of businesses, individuals, the United Way and other organizations. For more information, see

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