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Newborn

"Being a parent is about learning about the strengths you didn't know you had... and dealing with the fears you didn't know existed."

 -unknown

The Lotus family is comprised of parents who represent the symbolic meaning of the lotus flower.  Families who have uplifted themselves after years of abuse, trauma, and hardship. A group of men and women who have come from being in the mud and murky waters of life but fought with refusal not to allow their backgrounds and family histories to affect the lives and development of their children.

 

  At the Lotus Family Support and Education Center, we are dedicated to becoming a village for you and your family. Our Mission is to build stronger, more connected families and communities through education, advocacy, and support. We strive to provide families with the confidence and support they need to make informed decisions about their lives and the lives and education of their children. We believe that nurturing the whole child through whole family support and education is the cornerstone to improving the quality of life and education for children, families and communities.

 

Our team includes Jai certified parent coaches, DONA trained doulas, and First Aid and CPR instructors, all dedicated to empowering families and fostering resilience and growth.

"A great beginning can make a positive difference in a child's life. "

                                                _D. EL

Desiree El

 

Desiree El, MSEd - Co-Director 

My journey to becoming a doula, childbirth educator, and parent educator........

 

I have worked with families and children in the early childhood education field for 32 years.  I began my career as a family childcare provider for families of children with disabilities.  I realized after the birth of my first son, who was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss at 18 months, that quality child care for a child with special needs was difficult to locate.  This encouraged me to create an environment where families could leave their children and be confident they were being cared for and stimulated cognitively,  physically, and social-emotionally.  From there, I moved on to work for several family support centers and Head Start programs.  

 

I achieved my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education. With my degree, I secured a position as a Master Teacher mentoring and coaching other early childhood educators.  Upon the completion of my Master's Degree in Child Development and Administration, I sought to close the achievement gap through parent education. For me this was not enough.  I felt there was a need in the community for more.  Working with families from different backgrounds has afforded me the opportunity to learn about their journeys through birth and parenting.  My experience has brought me to the conclusion that families need support long before they enroll their children into early care centers and head start programs.  I believe that empowering families early in pregnancy with confidence and arming them with information will create strong family bonds that will encourage parents to be advocates for their children and make informed decisions that have positive impacts on their child's social-emotional and cognitive development. So, I became a doula, a childbirth educator and a parent coach along with being a child development specialist to help support families the moment they begin their journeys from pregnancy through childbirth and into the world of parenting.  

 

I am a mother of 4 and a Mimi to 3 wonderful grandchildren.  I am the creator of the Kozy Knapper nap mat, Brown Skin Girl designs and Sitting Down with Desiree. In my spare time, I love to read, sew, make jewelry, cook, forest bathe, go to the beach, and spend time with my family.    

 

Thank you for stopping by and getting to know us.  We look forward to supporting you and your family!

 

 

Services Provided:

"Time spent playing with a child is never time wasted”

                                                _T. Crawford

Tovia Crawford

 

Tovia Crawford - Co-Director 

I discovered early in my motherhood journey that if I wanted to have best relationship with my children I would have to revisit my own childhood and PLAY. But I had no idea that this engagement would have huge impacts on how well my children would communicate with others. They've built lasting friendships, are able to express their social and emotional needs effectively and has had great success in school and work.

 

Hello! My name is Tovia Crawford, Early Childhood and Parent Educator, Perinatal Doula. I hold a masters degree in Early Childhood Education. I have five amazing children and seven EXTREMELY adorable grandchildren. My career as an Early Childhood Educator began with the opening of my Family Child Care Home in 2001. As a young mother with many experiences some great and not so great, I knew that supporting and advocating for families whom I related to was something I needed to do...a passion in a sense. I also knew the great impact of having a support system has on a child.

 

Expanding Minds, my family child care home acted as a family resource and support center providing parents and family members access to the center computer to apply for jobs, create resumes, or complete school assignments. The center was also the meeting place for Parent Engagement Parties, arranged and hosted by me.

 

Within the past 20 plus years I have assisted in at least 10 births and provided consultation to countless families and childcare professionals in the areas of lactation, child development, communication through play and much more.

 

In 2010 I relocated, closed my business, ended up divorced, relocated again, then spent spent 10 years working for people in the Child Care field who didn't have the same passion or see the need in rebuilding the village as I did! So the decision was made, I left my job as a child care center manager to pursue my passion as a mother, grandmother, aunty, best friend, advocate, voice, and support to black and brown mothers and children from underprivileged neighborhoods in Philadelphia and surrounding counties.

 

In 2018 I collaborated with my sister Desiree El and daughter Jessica Rivera, in building the Lotus Family Support & Education Center. A place where parents are informed and educated so they can make confident decisions about themselves and their children's health and education.

 

The Lotus Family Center is growing everyday and always looking to make connections with other education, health or business professionals looking to support the uplifting and rebuilding of STRONG COMMUNITIES.

 

 

Services Provided:

"There is not a healthy society without education, there is no education without family support, there is no family support without genuine love”

                                                _J. Rivera

Jessica Courtney

 

Jessica Courtney-Rivera - Co-Director

My name is Jessica Rivera, co-founder of Lotus Family Support Network & Lotus Family Education Center.  I am a Philadelphian, wife, mother of 3, entrepreneur and passionate educator. I hold a B.S in Early Childhood Education.

 

I began my career as an early childhood educator where I spent over 10 years in the preschool classroom. Over my time in the classroom, I have come to realize the importance of family partnerships in education. I built my classroom on positive & authentic relationships with both the children and their families and I noticed how much easier communication and educating was for me.

 

I believe that love and family support are the cornerstones to not only education but a healthy society. You simply can not have one without the other.

 

 

Services Provided:

Lotus Family Support & Education Center

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2018    ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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