Santa Monica Black-Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs (Part 8 in a Series)
August 19, 2020 11:25 AM
by Susan Lamb
We recently interviewed a variety of Black-owned Business Owners in Santa Monica to hear their unique story and perspectives. Read on to hear about these small business owners throughout our City. This is Part 8 in a series. If you are a Santa Monica business, and you’d like to add your story, email info@santamonica.gov.
On a related note, the City of Santa Monica is working with community members to create a Black Agenda as part of our commitment to equity across our city. Get involved and find out more>>
Inclusive Child Development Center is Offering Safe, Supervised Remote Learning Center to Support School Aged Youth During Mandated Distance Learning in Santa Monica (Part 8 in a Series)
Celia Fisher worked with deaf and hard of hearing students for the Los Angeles Unified School District, and opened Beach Mom’s Child Development Center with funding from LA Up and California Proposition 56, providing free service originally to children 4 years of age in Santa Monica when the Head Start program was defunded. Beach Mom’s Child Development Center director, Celia, offers spots for youth who may have experienced trauma or have special needs. Read on to understand her story and unique perspective about owning a business in Santa Monica>>
Business Name: Beach Mom’s Child Development Center
Business Owner: Celia Fisher
Brief History: Beach Mom’s began in response to the need for youth development support for families with children who don’t fit in other traditional care programs. Until COVID-19 changed how children learn and connect, Beach Mom’s Child Development Center operated Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. providing support and care to up to 30 children in preschool or elementary school. Celia brings specialized knowledge and energy to her work for youth. This awareness and the Director’s adaptability have led to the development of remote learning support.
Why did you decide to open a business here? Celia moved to Santa Monica when her children were young and they lived in subsidized housing in Santa Monica. She attended Santa Monica College where she specialized in child development. She saw that little non-traditional childcare was available to families with need here.
Interesting facts about your business: Celia is focused on developing a Remote Learning Institute to support 12 students when school resumes on August 20, 2020. To do this she will be renting additional space and expanding existing services. Since March when schools closed in Santa Monica, Celia has learned to move quickly to adapt to changes warranted by the COVID-19 pandemic to keep her business vital. Her current goal is to help school age children learning online be safe.
How can Santa Monica community support you and other Black owned businesses?
- Help us keep the children in our care safe with sufficient cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment.
- Offer financial assistance through scholarships that go beyond the existing age 0 to Kindergarten, extended to students up to age 12.
- The newest need is for the City of Santa Monica to be a partner in learning the new normal in childcare through education and hiring compliance personnel who can monitor temperatures and mask use. Support from individuals is also needed who can educate childcare and development professionals on the latest, best practices and updates.
What information do you want the Santa Monica community to know? This is not daycare. Beach Mom’s Child Development Center uses a therapeutic approach to care for and enrich youth for higher risk families. They are partners with St. John’s therapeutic program, St. Joseph’s, Upward Bound House and Connections to Children.
Contact Information: (310) 341-6269 | beachmoms06@yahoo.com
Website: www.beachmomz.com/
Beach Mom's Child Development Center Teachers and Staff:
Authored By
Susan Lamb
Librarian III