A banner at the Ark Child Development Center reminds families and staff everyday of its commitment to goals. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen 

The children at Dragonfly Playhouse added heart to their art just in time for America’s birthday. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

Many local businesses thrive through collaboration and in giving, you often receive as well. This month my non-profit C’YA needed cards for military troops and veterans for the 250th birthday of our country. We mainly collect prior to Veteran’s Day so we are prepared for the holidays and Valentine’s Day to send some extra love from home. The Ark Child Development Center and Dessert Bloom Play Café/Dragonfly Playhouse Daycare are two that stepped up to help.

Leigha Oliver is the executive director of the ARK and Lauren Lippiatt of Dessert Bloom/Dragonfly. I assure you both are very busy people accomplishing their own goals, but they along with their staff and students went the extra mile to help. Here’s what they love most about their daily work.

“What I love most about Ark is the incredible family atmosphere we’ve built here; it truly feels less like a facility and more like a tight-knit community where everyone genuinely cares for one another,” Oliver said. “There is nothing quite like the joy of watching our littlest ones grow and reach those massive early milestones, and I take so much pride in knowing we’ve created a warm, haven where parents feel completely at ease dropping their children off every day.”

Recently, Dessert Bloom was struggling in a tough economy and reached out to the community to let them know. How has the response been for them and did they feel the love of community by sharing?

“We’ve been really encouraged by the response. We’ve introduced community suppers, expanded our menu with açaí bowls, specialty drinks, and quick meals, and partnered with other local organizations to bring new experiences to our space,” Lippiatt said. “We’re still working toward long-term sustainability, but every new idea, every family who walks through our doors, and every returning customer reminds us that we’re moving in the right direction. Beyond the financial support, the kind words, messages, and people who tell us how much Desert Bloom means to them have kept us motivated during some really challenging moments.”

New families may struggle with childcare or even think about the need for the future. What should they know?

“I really want the community to know that Ark is so much more than just a childcare facility. Because we’ve focused our program so intentionally on early childhood development, we are entirely dedicated to giving our youngest learners the absolute best, most nurturing start possible,” Oliver said. “When a family joins us, they aren’t just getting a safe place for their kids, they are getting a tight-knit support system. We don’t take responsibility for caring for these children lightly, and our small, passionate team pours so much love and hard work into ensuring this is a place of total trust and reliability.”

How can those with no birds in the nest be helpful to the childcare community?

“I want people to know that Desert Bloom has always been about more than a play café,” Lippiatt said. “It’s a place where children can play, parents can connect, friends can gather, remote workers can enjoy a cup of coffee, and our community can simply spend time together. You don’t have to have children to enjoy Desert Bloom, we truly welcome everyone.”

So, when thinking of a way you can help small, local business leaders remember that by sharing a post, sending a note of support or even small donations of funds, time or needed items does make an impact. Share their stories with a friend or someone new to town.

“The biggest way people can help isn’t by making a large donation,” Lippiatt said. “It’s by choosing to stop in for coffee, lunch, ice cream, an açaí bowl, attending one of our community dinners, hosting a birthday party or meeting here, or simply telling a friend about us. Those everyday choices are what will allow Desert Bloom to continue serving Los Alamos for years to come.”

As the First United Methodist Church will soon celebrate its 75th anniversary, Ark has a history of meeting parent needs in the community, too. One that strives to help parents form a tight knit community for part-time, full-time, year-round education.