When it comes to understanding the mission and objectives of local organization Los Niños Primero, it’s all in a name.
Since its inception in 2001, Children First has worked to prepare underserved Latino preschool children achieve academic success through a variety of initiatives. The organization’s central program takes place throughout different locations in Atlanta during the summer. There, children participate in art, music, karate, soccer, swimming and even yoga lessons.
Beyond the summer educational program, LNP also offers year-round Saturday school sessions in Sandy Springs.
“The objective becomes something much bigger when we see how education isn’t just the academic part, or that they learn English… but rather that we are offering them a platform to develop as human beings. So what we’ve done is include art, science and yoga, among other things,” explained Maritza Morelli, executive director of LNP.
Morelli, a child psychologist who hails from Venezuela and moved to Georgia several years ago, added that while the program started with just 17 children, participation has increased to approximately 2,000 youth who have benefited from the organization.
“As a result of our growth as an organization, this year we are including mindfulness in our curriculum, so that they start to work their mind,” said Morelli.
Los Niños Primero began as an initiative of Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Sandy Springs in order to provide cognitive development and educational preparedness for preschool aged children.
“Seventeen years ago, our Hispanic children were entering school two years behind, compared with peers their age,” explained Morelli.
Today, the program has expanded to other areas, including South Georgia. Just this summer LNP began a new program in Hapeville, close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“One of our mottos is to be a church for the community, so staying true to that motto means opening the doors of our church so that these initiatives can be carried out,” said Nelson Donado, pastor of El Nazareno Presbyterian Church, in Hapeville.
Alongside Morelli works a dedicated team of collaborators, including Savina Esparza, Enedina Ramírez, Doris Contreras, Marianelly Piñango and Kyon Postell.
They are not the only ones; throughout the metro Atlanta area, many more individuals contribute their time and attention to this organization. Among them are certified teachers, trained teen volunteers who once participated in LNP as young children, and parents who all share the same goal of helping the organization continue its efforts and initiatives.
“It means so much to me to work here. Los Niños Primero provides an opportunity to young people who are underprivileged or don’t have the necessary resources to adequately grow if, for example, they are not citizens. It doesn’t just involve students but parents and volunteers too,” said Postell, site coordinator for El Nazareno Presbyterian Church.
For Parent Coordinator Doris Contreras, education is not just important for children but for parents as well. “The parents are in a country where they have to learn the culture. My job is to give the parents resources and tools so they can help their children get ahead,” explained Contreras.
“We want to inspire Latino children to engage in life-long learning and aspire to be model members of our community,” said Morelli.
About the Author
