Friday, December 13, 2024

From Volunteer to Advocate: Yurico’s Journey with MAAC

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Giving Families a Head Start

Yurico’s journey with MAAC began in high school when she volunteered at a Head Start center for community service hours. It was there that she realized her passion for working with children and families, helping them prepare for school and life success. After high school, Yurico started working at a MAAC center and enrolled in evening, weekend, and online child development classes at a local college, eventually earning her associate’s degree.

With MAAC’s continued support for her education, Yurico was able to attend CSU San Marcos, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in human development with an emphasis in counseling services. As the first in her family to graduate from high school and college, her educational pursuits did not stop there. Today, she also holds a master’s degree in education and works at a local community college, providing basic needs support for students – much like the care and support she once received as a MAAC employee and as a parent of children who attended MAAC’s Head Start and Early Head Start Program.

While pursuing her post-secondary degrees, Yurico enrolled her daughter in Head Start. Several years later, her son joined Early Head Start to develop his speech skills and socialize with other children. In addition to the care and education her children received in the classroom, the program also helped pay for necessary dental work that her insurance did not cover.

“I am grateful for the MAAC child development program, and especially for the teachers who provided a loving environment where I knew my children were safe while I worked and attended school,” Yurico shared with GB Magazine. “MAAC helped me become self-sufficient, learn to be a better parent, and pursue a degree that has led me to where I am now.”

For nearly 50 years, MAAC has been providing early care and education for children ages 0-5 years and their families across North San Diego County communities. Today, MAAC operates 17 childcare centers and partners with 21 family childcare providers to offer full-day care and services across Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, Fallbrook, Oceanside, San Marcos, San Ysidro, Pauma, Rincon, and Vista.

For information on eligibility and enrollment, call MAAC at (760) 471-4210 or visit www.MAACproject.org/HeadStart.

Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza is the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently she resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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