In many ways, the Children’s Playhouse Early Learning Center is the heart of its community. And this year, said owner Damaris Alvarado-Rodriguez, the community has been decimated.
Nestled in a low-income, primarily immigrant neighborhood in south
Philadelphia, the center provides job tips, educational sessions,
donations, and more, in addition to childcare. It is one of three
Children’s Playhouses in the city, all owned by Damaris, a businesswoman
from New York City.
The center’s children are all U.S. citizens between the age of 0 and
5. Nearly all are from Hispanic or Asian immigrant families. Before the
Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns, the center enrolled 158
children—the maximum number permitted. Now, it has 97. Damaris has had
to close one classroom and lay off five teachers, all of whom are U.S.
citizens and two of whom were born in this country. She worries about
the absent children.
Even parents who still have valid immigration status “went into
hiding,” she said. “There were so many policies at once that they didn’t
know how they would be affected. They were afraid of dropping their
children off at school and having ICE waiting for them.”
If the situation continues, Damaris wonders if she’ll have to shut
this location down, a move that would cost 23 more teachers their jobs.
“We haven’t been able to fill our classrooms—people are afraid,” she
said. “Now I’m really second-guessing running the childcare center. If
we can’t enroll, we can’t continue in business.”
But mostly, Damaris is worried about the families she no longer
sees—anywhere. She does not see children out and about, or families at
events. The adults don’t seem to be going to work; vans that used to
bring residents to factory and construction jobs are nowhere to be seen.
Some families have self-deported, she said: “Nobody wants to live in
fear.”
“All of this stuff dismantles so much of the work that we’ve put into
building up our community,” Damaris said. “These are hardworking people.
They contribute to society. We [the daycare centers] help build that
economic growth.”
And the children who are no longer at their preschool? Where are
they? “I don’t know,” Damaris said. “I would love to know. I hope
they’re OK.”
The daycare center provided those children with more than
socialization and learning. Damaris regularly raises funds so she can
give meals, diapers, infant formula, and clothing to families in need.
“We like to fill in those gaps.”
“We know that most of the children are food-deprived,” Damaris said. “I pray that they’re OK, that they’re good and safe.”
