Now, the nonprofit organization will seek to provide that support in a new home of its own.
Needy families will have access to new resources with the opening of Children Today’s EcoHouse in December.
Children Today, a child-care and preschool program for homeless families, will debut its new state-of-the-art daycare facility, replacing the operating bases of Play House North and Play House West, two leased-out spaces where young children received care during the transition process.
The two leased-out spots were church office spaces that were not designed with children in mind. Now, the EcoHouse has been specially designed to meet the needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
“Where we do our work will match how we do our work,” said Tonya Burns, executive director of Children Today, adding that the spacious area will provide a better atmosphere for children.
The new facility will mark the first time Children Today has its own operating space. All the organization’s best practices and resources will now be available at a single site.
EcoHouse will have areas dividing different age groups. The distinct places will be for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and administration.
Among the new features is the main play field for preschoolers. The field features a natural landscape with gardens and equipment, including a log-tunnel crawl, log slide and climbing wall.
A vegetable garden will also be available where children can learn to grow vegetables and herbs. A butterfly garden and fruit trees will be in the outdoor areas, as well. Artificial turf will be used instead of natural grass.
“Eco House will become a place where they can feel safe and secure in an environment that is serene yet playful,” Burns said. “We are really looking forward to that.”
The land was purchased two years ago, and construction of the EcoHouse began in fall of 2014.
Construction and design of the facility totaled at about $3 million, according to Burns. Perkowitz and Ruth Architects worked on the design, and Howard CDM construction company built the EcoHouse.
Marsha Naify, Children Today board member and a seed donor for the project, oversaw all details of the EcoHouse’s design and construction.
“No expense has been spared in making this facility modern, safe and fun for kids,” Naify said.
She also added that the EcoHouse is LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
According to Burns, Children Today is a founding member of the City of Long Beach’s Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program, which offers homeless families an array of services that include housing assistance, shelter, mental-health counseling, substance-abuse treatment and medical care.
Children Today also assists in providing care for children who have suffered from abuse and neglect, including those in foster care.
“Young children experiencing homelessness, and those who are involved in the child welfare system, share similar histories of upheaval, insecurity and loss,” Burns said. “They also share similar responses to trauma.”
Burns said that Children Today has been offering trauma-based programs in order to accommodate the needs of kids for years.
Families in crisis and with little to no support systems would go to Play House West to receive the aforementioned supportive services and shelter.
Burns said the average family would stay at Play House West for four to six months.
In Play House North, families are typically not in crisis but may need additional services and support after just getting settled into a home, working or enrolling in school.
The average length of care for these families is approximately 12 months, according to Burns.
“In both situations, we are grateful for the opportunity to assist families during a challenging time in their lives and provide support for them for whatever length of time we serve them,” she said.
The transition process from the two Play House facilities to the EcoHouse will be an adjustment for all parties involved, but a future event for just children and their parents will seek to make the move an easy one, Burns said.
In a new facility that will help bolster and allow Children Today to more aptly fulfill its mission of providing care for needy families, the transition is worth the reward.
“It feels wonderful,” Burns said. “The environment will be a wonderful safe haven for children, so we are thrilled that they will get to experience services here.”
EcoHouse will open in December at 2951 Long Beach Blvd. Children Today is a nonprofit organization that still requires financial resources to provide its services and programs. Those who wish to donate can do so at childrentoday.org .
