Children Today

Founded over 25 years ago, Children Today has provided trauma-informed care for children and families in Long Beach who have experienced homelessness and/or maltreatment. Our Cherese Mari Laulhere Eco House child development facility serves as a nurturing environment where children receive quality early education focused on responsive caregiving through routines and experiences, using exploration and discovery as a way of learning.

With our low adult-child classroom ratios and specially trained teachers, we ensure that each child receives the attention they need to form secure attachments in their early years. Our approach is guided by these core principles:

1. Safety and Security: Every child must feel safe, secure, and nurtured, trusting that their needs will be met by nurturing and responsive caregivers.
2. Tailored Learning: Our teachers use careful observation and their expertise in child development to create individualized learning opportunities based on each child's cues and interests.
3. Family-Centered Approach: We foster respectful, reciprocal relationships with families, incorporating their home language, cultures, and traditions into our work with children.
4. Holistic Curriculum: Our curriculum and environment are designed to support the holistic way young children learn.

In the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we achieved significant milestones:

• We served 80 children from 58 households.
• Our kitchen provided 21,191 meals and snacks to children at no cost to families.
• We addressed developmental, physical, and behavioral concerns for 44 children, with 82% receiving services or referrals.
• We distributed over $60,000 worth of essential items to families, including clothing, shoes, toys, and household goods.

Beyond trauma-informed childcare and early education, your support enables us to provide vital resources such as clothing, hygiene products, and household essentials to families. Additionally, your partnership allows us to collaborate with other community-based organizations to ensure families have access to additional resources and interventions to foster their stability and success. 

Thank you for joining us in our mission to support children and families experiencing homelessness and/or maltreatment in our community. 

Testimonials

"The staff here are wonderful, and I have seen tremendous growth in both of my children since they have been here. They are both learning so much and come home happy every day." - Parent