I Pledge to Vote
Yes on Measure Q!
Our Stories
Whether it’s single moms struggling to finish their education, working parents trying to launch their careers or small business owners getting local workers back into the work force, everyone knows someone with a story about child care. Scroll down to see some of these moving testimonies.
Share Your Story!
To share your story, please email info@Yes4MontereyCountyKids.org.
Monterey Kids Campaign Kick Off Press Conference, June 6, 2022
Dr. Deneen Guss
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
Shannan Watkins
Executive Director, Early Development Services
Priscilla Amao
Grad student at CSUMB and Mother to 4-year-old
Tahra Goraya
President/CEO, Monterey Economic Partnership
Kevin Dayton
Taxpayers Advocate
Ida Berchard
Hartnell RN Student Nurse
Simon Salinas
Retired Monterey County Supervisor
Alma Loredo
Parent Organizer, Padres Unidos
Erica Padilla Chavez
Board President, Hartnell Community College
John Phillips
Supervisor, Monterey County District 2
Monica Lal
CEO, Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
Chris Lopez
Supervisor, Monterey County District 3
Sonia Jaramillo
Directora del programa de aprendizaje temprano de la oficina de educación del condado de Monterey
Celene Hernandez
Madre de Familia
Sandi Eason
Board Chair, United Way Monterey County
“We all know that if our youngest learners, which are our babies, if they have high-quality child care right from the get-go, they’re going to be so much better prepared for school”
Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
"Hospitality, health care, farm workers. These are all positions that require child care. And many of our community members have not been able to return to work to aid our small businesses."
Monica Lal, President/CEO Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
“It’s not about forcing anybody to put their kid into child care but about creating opportunity for those who want it and need it. That should be available to everyone in my mind.”
Chris Lopez, Supervisor, Monterey County District 3
“Only 25 percent of our youngest children enter school ready to learn, as child care becomes more and more inaccessible to families who may already be struggling to make ends meet.”
Shannan Watkins, Executive Director, Early Development Services
“Our county is one of the richest, but our farmworkers, parents who work as line workers, don’t have access to high-quality child care.”
Alma Loredo, Parent Organizer, Comite Padres Unidos/Building Healthy Communities
“There were times that I thought about giving up on pursuing higher education because I was struggling to find safe quality, affordable child care.”
Priscilla Amao, Grad student at CSUMB and Mother to 4-year-old