ANNUAL REPORT FY17

JULY 1, 2016 - JUNE 30, 2017

 “Educating children and youth and strenthening
families in a bilingual, multicultural environment.”

Dear CentroNía Family,

This year, CentroNía celebrated 30 years of providing high-quality, bilingual early childhood
education and supportive services to low-income children and their families in the Washington,
D.C.region. Founded in 1986, CentroNía’s mission and values were established in response to the
lack of affordable and accessible quality childcare for low-income, working immigrant families in the
region. Over the years we have stayed true to serving vulnerable communities, CentroNía currently
provides education and support services to more than 2,400 low-income, working families and their
children across DC and Maryland. Every day we give thanks to our donors, dedicated supporters,
alumni, volunteers, and committed staff for making it possible for us to create a safe place where
children and families from all backgrounds can learn and grow together.

We are happy to share with you some of the recent accomplishments made possible because of
supporters like you. Please, take a moment to reflect on the impact YOU can have in the lives of our
city’s earliest learners.

• In an effort to support young mothers at Cardozo Education Campus, CentroNía opened a center
inside the school to provide early childhood education services to students in need of support
while they complete high school.
• CentroNía launched a new catering service, NíaCentral Catering, which currently provides nine
childcare centers with healthy, delicious meals so every child has the nutrition they need to learn
and develop.
• At CentroNía’s 30th Anniversary Gala, together we celebrated three decades of educating
children and strengthening families in a multicultural and bilingual environment alongside old
and new friends. During the event, we enjoyed great food, lively conversation, an incredible
performance by Samantha Rios and our families, and danced a conga line led by NBC4’s Erika
Gonzalez through the room while enjoying the beats of Batala.

With your love and support, CentroNía will continue to be an anchor for low-income, working families
in our region. Access to affordable early childhood education and support services continues to be
a challenge, and we are committed to working with city and government officials to find ways to
expand our services to meet growing demands. In doing so, we will always be a space where ALL
children and families are welcome and given the equal opportunity to learn and grow together.

THANK YOU for being champions in the education of our children and their families!

Sincerely,

Myrna Peralta, CentroNía President & CEO

 Table of Contents
Letter from CentroNía Leadership

CentroNía by the Numbers

Partner Spotlight:
Measure4Change

Meet a CentroNía Family:

Miriam & Wood

Partner Spotlight:
DC Reads

CentroNía
30th Anniversary Gala

Financials

Get Involved
 CENTRONÍA IN NUMBERS:
Measuring Your Impact

More than children & families were reached

4 2,400 through programs and community

events held by CentroNía.

CentroNía
locations in DC
& Maryland
532
early learners (0-5 years)
380
students (6-17 years)

Other - African
Amharic
English

Spanish

81%
of children identified a primary language
16,480
free, healthy meals and snacks were served to children
other than English. enrolled at CentroNía and partnering centers.

More than

3,000
books were donated to families to help
3,621
home visits were made via Early Head Start programs
build their home libraries. in MD and DC.
 PARTNER
(Pictured above) CentroNía Outcomes Manager poses withe the Measure 4 Change SPOTLIGHT:
team from World Bank Group & Urban Institute.
Measure 4
C entroNía was a participant of the second cohort of the
Measure4Change program, an initiative from the World Bank
Group and the Urban Institute designed to improve the performance
Change
measurement capacity of non-profit organizations in the Washington,
DC, area by providing technical assistance, grant funding, a community of
practice, and knowledge briefs. This program helped CentroNía improve its ability
to measure its program effectiveness.

From February 2016 – December 2017, CentroNía received $70,000 to implement new software, provide
training to all teachers in the Early Childhood Education Program, and fund part of the Outcomes
Department. The Outcomes Department has been in charge of the implementation of new software
like the Child Outcome Planning and Administration (COPA) performance measurement system,
which has improved the organization’s ability to produce real-time demographics, attendance,
enrollment, and assessment reports. The grant support also allowed CentroNía to invest in teachers’
professional development through trainings on observational data collection, communicating
child’s progress using data, and using this data to individualize instruction. This year, 27 teachers will
receive a tablet to easily collect educational assessment data, which will be used in intentional
lesson planning to support children’s progress toward school readiness goals.

For many years one of CentroNía’s biggest challenges has been the required change in organizational
culture toward data use as a resource. The technical assistance, trainings, and increased availability
of data for teachers and other users have shifted the culture toward one of understanding the
usefulness and value in data to support children’s growth and development in staff across all levels
of the organization. The community of practice provided opportunities to learn from subject-matter-
experts about performance measurement and evaluation topics such as quantitative and qualitative
data analysis, visualizations, data walks, organizational culture, survey-design, and target setting. The
community of practice also provided valuable networking opportunities with organizations facing
similar performance measurement related challenges.
“Thank you World Bank Group and Urban Institute for their invaluable support in
improving CentroNía’s performance measurement capacity through better data
use for continuous quality improvement,” says CentroNía Outcomes Manager “This
initiative enabled CentroNía to implement new data collection skills and software
allowing staff and teachers to identify the needs of participants and respond through
intentional lesson plans and activities to achieve developmental milestones.”
 Meet A CentroNía Family
Miriam & Wood
“As parents our main goal is to give our daughters the necessary
tools to accomplish more than we have. Giving them a high-
quality early childhood education is already a great start and
we could not be more grateful for that!”
(Pictured above) Miriam and Wood reading and playing with their daughters in the socialization room at CentroNia’s
site in Takoma Park, MD.

W hen Wood and his wife Miriam became parents, their main priority was to find a place where
their newborn daughter could safely learn and grow while they were growing their careers. As
immigrants and a working family, providing a high-quality and safe early childhood education for
their daughter was really important for them.

“I never wanted my kids to stay at home and just watch TV all day. My goal was for
them to be in a place where they could interact with other children and learn even
at an early age.” says Miriam.
One day while walking around the neighborhood, Miriam saw CentroNía’s sign and her curiosity
led her inside to gather more information. After talking to the CentroNía Admissions Office, Miriam
submitted an application for her 1½ year old daughter Jauline to enroll in CentroNía’s early childhood
education program in Takoma Park, Maryland. A month later she received “the ‘yes’ that changed
their family’s life.” Her daughter received a spot in CentroNía’s Early Head Start home-visiting
program, which enhances the development of infants and toddlers while strengthening families
through visits to the participants’ homes and group socialization activities. The home-visiting program
implements instructional activities including indoor and outdoor experiences that promote and
support emerging communication skills, creative arts, social emotional and physical development
and positive approaches to learning. This was a great start for their family and her daughter’s
education, but her goal was for Jauline to transition into the full-time center-based program to learn
and grow everyday with her peers. After six months in the home-visiting program, Jauline turned two
and was eligible to transition into a classroom. Today, she is now a bright, happy 4-year-old enrolled
in CentroNía’s Pre-K program.
“CentroNía gave us everything my daughter needed and they taught her things
my wife and I could not,” says Wood. “At 4 she is fully bilingual and knows how to
differentiate both languages impressively. She knows how to count and it’s really
good with directions. She knows things my wife and I didn’t learn until we were
much older.” He adds.
Wood shared how his experience at CentroNía shaped his values as a father and community member.
Based on his upbringing, Wood believed a father’s only role was to provide for his family while the
mother was responsible for their children’s growth and education. He remembers asking his dad
questions and his father’s answer repeatedly would be “go ask your mother”. His father was never
engaged in his education and when he first became a father he did not envision raising his daughter
any differently. CentroNía changed his thinking. A Family Support Worker invited him to attend the
workshops available for parents at the center. After attending several of the trainings, he began to
greatly value the importance of family engagement in the success of his daughter’s education.

Today, Wood and Miriam are actively involved in the CentroNía community. Wood serves on the
Early Head Start Policy Council and as a liaison between parents and board members on CentroNía’s
Board of Directors. He is grateful to have such an important role in the decision making process
especially since now he understands more about Early Childhood Education and its role in shaping
early learners. Wood and Miriam are hoping their younger daughter Angelica will soon be enrolled
at CentroNía as well.

“As parents our main goal is to give our daughters the necessary tools to accomplish
more than we have. Giving them a high-quality early childhood education is already
a great start and we could not be more grateful for that!”
 PARTNER
(Pictured above) Students from the CentroNía tutoring program pose for a photo on
their trip to New York City with DC Reads.
SPOTLIGHT:
DC Reads
T his spring, ten students enrolled in tutoring as part of CentroNía’s Studio
R.O.C.K.S. program had the opportunity to participate in the Peace,
Justice, and Inclusion Project in partnership with American University and
DC Reads. The Peace, Justice, and Inclusion Project is a pilot program
initiated by two master’s students from American University as part of the “Pay
It Forward” grant from SIS International Peace Day Competition. The program
brought together 24 elementary school students, 24 high school students, and 24 college students to
participate in three workshops led by professors from American University. For CentroNía’s students,
this was a unique opportunity to meet with peers from various age groups and backgrounds.

The workshops focused specifically on the dynamics of conflict and promoting peacemaking in our
homes, schools, and communities. It gave a glimpse into many organizations working hard to inspire
peace across the globe. Students also learned about human rights, ethics, and causes people
advocate for around the world. For example, one of CentroNía’s students discovered her interest in
protecting the environment and helped create better recycling programs in her community.

“This was a unique opportunity for me” says Kayla. “Through this project I was
exposed to new ideas and activities. We got to learn about peace and how to be
peace makers in our community” she adds.
In addition to being exposed to a college experience at a young age, the Peace Justice and
Inclusion Project also gave CentroNía students the chance to visit New York, many for the first time.
During the trip, students and chaperones were given tours of the United Nations and visited UNICEF
where they learned about their efforts to make peace and provide resources to developing countries
around the world. At UNICEF the students heard from three employees about their work on the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They received an overview on the 17 goals and
focused specifically on the fourth goal of quality education and how different education systems
look around the world. At night, the students boarded a tour bus to see the lights of Manhattan and
learn about the city. Although the rain was relentless, the students enjoyed sitting on the top level of
the double-decker bus and taking pictures of the skyscrapers.

CentroNía is grateful to our partners from American University and DC Reads for inviting our students
to be a part of this experience. This project allowed them to practice public speaking skills, engage
in research, and raise their voice for important causes in their lives.
 CentroNía
30TH ANNIVERSARY
GALA
A t CentroNía’s 30th Anniversary Gala, we celebrated three decades of educating children and
families in a multicultural and bilingual environment alongside old and new friends. We are
grateful for those who attended in support of our programs and especially to the generous sponsors
and benefactors for the evening. To those who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure over
the years, YOU made this milestone one to remember for years to come!

During the event, we enjoyed great food, lively conversation, an incredible performance by
Samantha Rios and our families, and danced a conga line led by NBC4’s Erika Gonzalez through
the room while enjoying the beats of Batala. You created a colorful mural that will proudly adorn our
walls, created a mad lib unique to a day at CentroNía, helped stock the shelves of our library, and
smiled pretty in our photo booth–all while raising critical funds in support of CentroNía’s high-quality
and affordable early childhood education.

CentroNía benefits the children who participate in its programs by setting them on a strong trajectory
that ensures they develop a lifelong love for learning. We heard this first hand last night from two
of our alumni, Yonis Benitez and Rexanah Wyse. Both of whom enrolled in CentroNía more than
25 years ago during critical times in their lives and credit CentroNía for preparing them to achieve
academically and instrumental in their many successes today.

We hope CentroNía’s 30th Anniversary Gala ignited a fire inside YOU to re-commit
yourself to supporting our city’s low-income, working families through high-quality
and affordable early childhood education. As we heard repeatedly at the Gala, an
investment in early childhood education is an investment in our future.
FINANCIALS
July 1, 2016 -
June 30, 2017 Revenues
3.8%, Catering Service Fees
6.2%, Net investment gains

6.3%, Rental Income

5.8%, Parent Fees

21.7%, Grants & Contributions 56.2%,

Government Grants &
Contract Revenue

Expenses
1.7%, Fundraising

24.2%,
General &
Administrative

74.2%, Program Services

For complete audited Form 990s, please visit

our Guidestar page: https://bit.ly/2q5McHk
Donate Volunteer
With your donation, no matter the size, Every year hundreds of volunteers visit
you ensure children, and families in the CentroNía and change the lives of our children
Washington, DC area have opportunities on and families through weekly tutoring sessions,
a local level. Whether you’re a believer art projects, one-time intensive projects
in bilingual education, a caregiver for with our facilities team, and everything
your community, or a dedicated in between. Time spent and talent
dreamer, your donation makes this shared makes an enormous impact
mission is a reality. Join the at CentroNía.

CENTRONÍA
FAMILY!

In-kind Drives Attend Upcoming Events

Receiving critical items through donations CentroNía will host events throughout the
allows CentroNía to keep its operating budget year that give supporters and opportunity to
as low as possible. From stocking classrooms make a difference in the lives of the children
with diapers and wipes or filling our library’s and families we serve. Whether you attend a
shelves with bilingual books, in-kind donations fundraising happy hour or join us for a special
make a difference! All donated items are volunteer day, YOU can make a difference
distributed free of charge to the children and for our community! Visit www.centronia.org/
families in our community. events to learn more about future events.
 THANK YOU CENTRONÍA FAMILY!
We are so grateful to all our generous supporters! Although
a great deal of care has gone into ensuring the accuracy of
this donor list, there may be some errors. We apologize for any
omissions, misspellings, or other mistakes and welcome your
corrections and suggestions.

Individuals
Kate Akalonu Gretchen Ellsworth Patricia Jacobs
Eduwiges Arciniega Juan Estrada Leonade Jones
Phyllis Armstrong Carlos Estrada Rachel Molly Joseph
Emily Back Elizabeth Falk Francis Keller
Lauren Bailey Jorge Felix Kenneth Klein
Marion Ballard Agustin Ferman Donald Kohn
Maria Baquero Alexandra Fernandez Nancy Kowalski Collins
Judy Bauer Tamar Fishman Lillian Kraemer
Chuck Bean Timothy Foley Diane Kuhla
Yonis Benitez Nancy Folger Melih Kutluer
Fani Cyd & Robert Bettmann Nicole & Michael Fox Natalie LaRochelle-Eades
Helen Blank Carolann Fraenkel Phenola Lawrence
Abigail Bluestone Carmen Fraenkel Susan Leighton
Rosalba Bonilla-Acosta Alan Freeman Rebecca Lemos
Celeste Boykin Mary Gabay Margaret Lenzner
Carole Brown Alan Gambrell Erika Leon Gonzalez
Mannone Butler Julia Garcia Jessica Levin
Albert Caputo Carolyn Garland Meredith Levine
William Chase Caroline Gaudet Ellen London
Christine Chase Carol Gayle Margaret Maes
Jenny Chen Jonathan Genn Carrie Marriott
Gerry Clancy Christian Gonzalez Lydia Marshall
Renata Claros Ronald Goodman Sue Marshall
Louis Cohen Troy Green Richard Meltzer
Tehani Collazo Joseph Guttentag Cynthia Mercado
Stacey Collins Michele Hagans Alison Miranda
Ruth Ann Compton John Hauge Jocelyn Moratzka
Kathleen Conley Scott Hellmuth Brianne Nadeau
Heleny Cook Joangelee Hernandez Soraya Osorio
Maria Cruz Eric Hershberg Beatriz ‘BB’ Otero
Laurie Davis John Hill Koushik Pal
Dennis Davison Robert Hirsch Nanette Paris
Luciana Debenedetti Julius Hobson Myrna Peralta
Carla Decker Carmen Howell Antonio Peralta
Brandon DiMassa Julia Howell-Barros Rob Plati
Ramona Edelin Lynne Hundley Susan Reddish
Angela Elkins James Huning Kathleen Rehwaldt
Dennis Reynolds William Willcox Homer and Martha Gudelsky
Lisa Rivera Jonatahn Willen Foundation
Shelley Robinson Joanne Williams Inter-American Development
Ceclilia Rodriguez Michael Winn Bank
Richard Rome Ivey Wohlfeld J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott
Robert Douglas Rose Rexanah Wyse Foundation
Bella Rosenberg Gabriela Yonker Kaplan Early Learning
Lisa Rosenstein William Zerhouni Company
Marie Ruddell Kresge Foundation
Vanessa Ruiz Corporations, Foundations, Mara Bershad Foundation
Carroll Saussy & Government Max and Victoria Dreyfus
Sandra Scioville Foundation, Inc.
Jo Ann Scott Bambini Play & Learn Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs
Amy Seago Bank of America Charitable Mellow Mushroom
Alejandra Shaw Foundation Morgan Stanley
Louise Shelley Capital Impact Partners Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz
Boris Shurslep Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation
Albert Sim Foundation National Association for the
Jeffrey Slavin Columbia Heights/Shaw Education of Young Children
Ruth Anna Stolk Collaborative (NAEYC)
Mary Stonaker Dance Institute of Washington Office of the State
Zuraya Tapia-Hadley DC Commission on the Arts and Superintendent of Education
Lois Thibault Humanities (OSSE)
Theodore Thomas DC Prevention Center Otero Strategy Group, LLC
Susan Trice Wards 1 & 2 PNC Foundation
Sarah Tynen DC Trust Richard E. & Nancy P. Marriott
Carlos Valles Diana Davis Spencer Foundation
Juan Vega-Rodriguez Foundation Share Fund
Eileen & Bernard Wasow Diane and Norman Bernstein St Matthews Parish
Helen Watriss Foundation Target Corporation
Cesar Watts Eco Ventures International United Bank
Gregory Werner George Preston Marshall Urban Institute
Martha West Foundation Venture Philanthropy Partners
Curtis White Hattie M. Strong Foundation World Bank Community
Margaret Wilde Herb Block Foundation Connections Fund
Marjorie Wilkes
“Educating children and youth and strenthening
families in a bilingual, multicultural environment.”

1420 Columbia Road, NW, Washington, DC 20009

202-332-4200 | info@centronia.org | www.centronia.org