New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Marks Monmouth Day Care Center’s Jubilee with a Visit
Monmouth Day Care Center (MDCC) continued its impressive 50th anniversary celebration with a visit from Governor Phil Murphy on Thursday, May 16, at its Red Bank location.
Governor Murphy, a Red Bank (Middletown) resident, toured the MDCC with Executive Director Heidi Zaentz and met with the executive leadership of the Center. The Governor also met with the children and staff, learning about the critically important services MDCC provides to area families.
According to Zaentz, MDCC personnel wanted to ensure that the Governor understood the importance of MDCC for the population it serves and how the state of the economy affects such an important non-profit center.
Zaentz said, “The hope is that a visit to MDCC enlightened him to the importance of this program and its vital presence in the community. But above all, the visit by Governor Murphy was a thrilling and exciting day for everyone associated with the Center.
“This was the second time in the 50-year history of our organization that a sitting Governor visited Monmouth Day Care Center. Governor Christine Todd Whitman was the first to visit during her term and now Governor Murphy. It was a wonderful experience introducing the governor to our staff and children. He was able to see first-hand how important we are to the families in the greater Red Bank community. Having a Governor visit our center validates our importance to the community and the families that we serve.”
Monmouth Day Care Center serves families with diverse socio-economic backgrounds from more than 25 local communities. MDDC offers scholarships and fees on a sliding scale for families who qualify. Families who do not qualify for government support but cannot afford the full cost of care receive tuition assistance based on a sliding scale fee due to substantial community fundraising efforts of the Board. Call 732-741-4313 with questions or for more information.
About Monmouth Day Care Center: Monmouth Day Care Center, a nonprofit licensed by the State of New Jersey, is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., has eight classrooms; two playgrounds; a multi-purpose room that also serves as an indoor gym; a library; and provides breakfast, lunch and snacks. Children from two months to five years old, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, who come from families with diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can attend full- or part-time. Contracts for tuition are maintained with the Division of Family Development, including Work First New Jersey Program and New Jersey Cares for Kids. Visit www.monmouthdaycarecenter1969.org. for more information.
History of Monmouth Day Care Center: MDCC began with just one class of children in 1969. It was the first Monmouth County School to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and star-rated by Grow NJ Kids. It was established under the sponsorship of the Revitalization Corps, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Red Bank Section, Junior League of Monmouth County, Council of Churches, and Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club of Central New Jersey.
Photo #1: (left) Mary Logan Foard and (rt) Lata Mahbubani, MDCC Board Membrrs
Photo #2: Executive Director Heidi Zaentz showing Governor Murphy the MDCC Outdoor
Playground. Red Bank Administrator Ziad Shehady Is in the Background.
Photo #3: MDCC Board Members and Staff, Councilmen Hazim Yassin and Michael Ballard.
Photo #4: Heidi Zaentz Thanks Governor Murphy for Visiing. President-elect Brendan McLoughlin, Red Bank Councilmen Michael Ballard and Hazim Yassin
Photo #5: Board President Lanae Herman Thanks Governor Murphy for Visiting