Lola & Kids has had many initiatives, but our mission remains the same: to address the evolving needs of our community and working parents.
What initially started as a brick-and-mortar childcare space has grown into an after-school program management service for New York neighborhoods. We partner with schools by managing their afterschool programs. They provide the space, we provide the rest: staffing, curriculum, enrichment, etc.
This takes what can be a logistical nightmare for schools and turns it into a simple and culturally rich addition to what they can offer the kids and families they serve.
Additionally, we offer summer camp programming in partnership with New York schools!
We believe that community plays a vital role in child-rearing; our programs strive to create a supportive community and foster a sense of belonging and connection among students and their families.
After graduating from Manhattan College with a B.A. in International Studies, I left the U.S. to teach English to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in a small rural town in Honduras. When I returned, I served as an Americorps Vista for a year followed by the completion of my MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy with a specialization in Finance from NYU Wagner. My time in Grad school, as well as my fellowship with Education Pioneers, further fueled my passion for education. From 2013-2016, I worked as a Student Services Manager and Resident Director of Operations for Achievement First Endeavor Elementary, in Brooklyn. While at AF Endeavor, I began to take notice of Kindergarteners and their lack of preparation and social development upon entering school. I quickly realized that I wanted to work towards increasing awareness about the importance and long-term positive results of early childhood education.
After graduating from the State University of New York at Albany with a B.A. in Psychology, I was captivated by the education realm and worked as a pre-K teacher in both Albany and Yonkers, NY. Prior to becoming an Entrepreneur, I dabbled within the areas of Public Relations, Management and Event Planning. My experience at Columbia Business School taught me how important preparation is at any age. Upon having my 1st daughter, I quickly became engrossed by early childhood development and its importance. As Co-Director of Lola and tots, I develop programming and cultivate partnerships that align with the vision of making the world a more accepting and tolerant place through early education and cultural exploration. Since the launch of our business, my daughters have been working with and as a single mother, I strongly believe that it takes a village to raise the next generation of leaders. I aspire to raise children that are proud of their own background while respecting that of others which is why traveling and exploring is so important to us. It serves as inspiration for developing educational programming that nurtures inclusiveness and empathy to allow for well-rounded, sensitive children.
We are absolutely passionate and love Lola & Tots. Our dream is to grow into a brand that families will recognize as a place of diversity and inclusion for their little ones.
