In many ways, the Children’s Playhouse Early Learning Center is the heart of its community. And this year, said owner Damaris Alvarado-Rodriguez, the community has been decimated.1
Nestled in a low-income, primarily immigrant neighborhood in south Philadelphia, the center provides job tips, educational sessions, donations, and more, in addition to childcare. It is one of three Children’s Playhouses in the city, all owned by Damaris, a businesswoman from New York City.
The center’s children are all U.S. citizens between the age of 0 and 5. Nearly all are from Hispanic or Asian immigrant families. Before the Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns, the center enrolled 158 children—the maximum number permitted. Now, it has 97. Damaris has had to close one classroom and lay off five teachers, all of whom are U.S. citizens and two of whom were born in this country. She worries about the absent children.
Even parents who still have valid immigration status “went into hiding,” she said. “There were so many policies at once that they didn’t know how they would be affected. They were afraid of dropping their children off at school and having ICE waiting for them.”
If the situation continues, Damaris wonders if she’ll have to shut this location down, a move that would cost 23 more teachers their jobs. “We haven’t been able to fill our classrooms—people are afraid,” she said. “Now I’m really second-guessing running the childcare center. If we can’t enroll, we can’t continue in business.”
But mostly, Damaris is worried about the families she no longer sees—anywhere. She does not see children out and about, or families at events. The adults don’t seem to be going to work; vans that used to bring residents to factory and construction jobs are nowhere to be seen. Some families have self-deported, she said: “Nobody wants to live in fear.”
“All of this stuff dismantles so much of the work that we’ve put into building up our community,” Damaris said. “These are hardworking people. They contribute to society. We [the daycare centers] help build that economic growth.”
And the children who are no longer at their preschool? Where are they? “I don’t know,” Damaris said. “I would love to know. I hope they’re OK.”
The daycare center provided those children with more than socialization and learning. Damaris regularly raises funds so she can give meals, diapers, infant formula, and clothing to families in need. “We like to fill in those gaps.”
“We know that most of the children are food-deprived,” Damaris said. “I pray that they’re OK, that they’re good and safe.”