Hi friend!
We hope your 2021 is off to a strong start and that you’re just as excited as we are for a new year. Della Lamb has some big plans in the pipeline and we look forward to sharing these moments with you! While there is still a lot of work to do, we wanted to share a few steps we’ve already taken to building a kinder Kansas City.
Early education has been the lifeblood of Della Lamb since we were founded in 1897. In more recent years, we have built upon the need to not only care for and love the children we serve, but to ensure they are prepared for the next big jump: Kindergarten. Last year we joined the KC Pre-K Cooperative which allows us access to additional resources; better equipping Della Lamb to provide quality Pre-K for children in our underserved communities.
Della Lamb’s Pre-K Co-Op classroom is led by a certified teacher and we currently have 14 students enrolled. It truly is a gift to see these children thrive everyday and witness their growing desire to learn. To top things off, we plan on opening another classroom later this year!
Rocio will be celebrating 20 years with Della Lamb this upcoming November! She was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where she was a Pharma-biological chemist and a professional Opera singer before moving to Kansas City. Check out the Q&A below to learn more about the lovely Rocio Ramsey!
Q: What is your favorite thing about Kansas City?
A: The Chiefs and the Royals teams, it’s fountains and BBQ places.
Q: Why is Della Lamb important to you?
A: Della Lamb helps people/refugees achieve personal goals through education. We see education as a tool for building self-confidence, overcoming socio-economic barriers and exploring identity and creativity.
Q: How did you first get involved at Della Lamb and what do you do here?
A: “I started as a volunteer teaching English to Spanish speakers. I (now) provide Cultural Orientation classes for individuals and groups. I prepare lesson plans in accordance with students’ learning needs, I design and present educational material, and I tailor lessons to accommodate differences in learning style and speed.
Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would you meet?
A: Jesus Christ, I think he was a wise man.
Q: Do you have a favorite movie quote?
A: “After all, tomorrow is another day.”
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I enjoy walking and listening to classical music and opera. I love to spend time with my husband, my three dogs and my cat.
January kicked off our first Youth Mentoring program and we currently have 7 newly resettled high schoolers participating. Each participant is paired with a mentor who not only assists academically, but is truly there to connect and help them adjust to their new home and school while developing lasting life skills.
Along with mentor check-ins, we also get to see our teens throughout the week! Della Lamb’s Learning Lab is utilized for both tutoring and remote learning during the COVID-19 crisis.
Want to help our program’s teens? Stock their Learning Lab with snacks, water, and a positive note to give them the extra boost to power through their school day! Email us at help@dellalamb.org if you’d like to donate.
