'A Pillar Of Strength In Our Community': Hollister Hero

HOLLISTER, CA — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented times. Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these everyday heroes.

This submission comes from Liz Burkhart of Aptos, who nominated Erendira Guerrero of Hollister, and her team at Encompass Community Services' Head Start & Early Head Start Programs:

Is the nominee considered an “essential worker”?:
Yes

What does the nominee do for work?:
Erendira is the Child and Family Development Program Director at Encompass Community Services

Why do you believe the nominee should be recognized or honored?
Erendira and her team work tirelessly to support equality, wellbeing and resiliency in our community all year round by providing high quality early education and support services to low-income children and their families, as well as pregnant women and their families. Her team’s unwavering commitment to serving these families has never been more evident or critical than in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Following the shelter-in-place order, Erendira’s team assembled and distributed more than 600 care packages to local Head Start and Early Head Start families. These packages included toys and activities to support at-home learning, including puppets, bubbles, materials for the pre-school program, as well as English and Spanish songs. The packages also included parenting tips, books about the Census and diapers for families with young children who need them.

In addition to the care packages, Erendira and her team have coordinated separate diaper deliveries, ongoing wellness check-ins and other mental, social and emotional support services for families of the nearly 600 children aged 0-5 in their programs. Under Erendira’s leadership, the Head Start and Early Head Start programs have also launched a new, simplified online application and referral process to allow greater access to services and are already accepting applications for their 2020-2021 year.

Erendira and her team are a pillar of strength in our community and are true heroes!

What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your hero?:
Erendira is a selfless leader who would want her entire team and fellow staff at Encompass Community Services to be celebrated for their role in supporting our great community.

Thank you for all you do, Erendira!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

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