Sam Garzon is El Tecolote’s Report for America Corps Member who reports on mental health and healthcare inequality in the Latinx community.
For nearly three decades, Good Samaritan Family Resource Center — a longstanding organization dedicated to serving the community — has operated a dual-language preschool at its Potrero site, catering to low-income families and their children.
But as of June 26, families can access those same services at Good Samaritan’s newly opened site in the Mission District. Located on the ground floor of the Casa Adelante affordable housing building at 2050 Folsom Street, Good Samaritan’s latest dual-language preschool offers a full-time, year-round educational experience that prepares preschoolers for a seamless transition into kindergarten.
With its expanded facility spanning 6,300 square feet, the space at 2050 Folsom encompasses two classrooms and a spacious outdoor play area. The center adopts a comprehensive approach by embracing a holistic two-generation support system, recognizing children’s and parents’ interconnected needs.
Dolores Cruz, a preschool teacher at Good Samaritan for 15 years, is one of the staff at 2050 Folsom. “Having these centers gives an opportunity for immigrants to bring their children and develop their potential for the future,” Cruz said. “It helps the Latino community a lot.”
By offering a year-round, full-time program, the center aims to assist parents in pursuing economic well-being while ensuring their children receive exceptional care and education opportunities.
Good Samaritan’s program centers around a distinctive dual-language methodology, providing children with instruction in both English and Spanish on alternate days. The program’s primary goal is to immerse children in a bilingual environment from an early age, enabling them to develop essential linguistic and cognitive skills that will support their academic excellence.
One of the program’s key objectives is to ensure that English language learners are appropriately classified by the time they reach fifth grade. The center strongly emphasizes cultivating strong bilingual abilities in children, laying a solid foundation for their long-term success.
Angelic Torres, who has been a teacher at Good Samaritan for six years, believes there is a need to help guide preschool students with their social and emotional development. “We know that if children are able to go to preschool they have a better chance to graduate college or high school,” Torres said.
Recognizing the importance of expanding its preschool services, the Good Samaritan Family Resource Centers formed a strategic partnership with the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA). “We are happy to contribute and be part of this for our community, as many other providers have also expanded,” Good Samaritan Executive Director, Mario Paz, told El Tecolote. “Our goal is to design the best two-language program in the city for our Spanish-speaking community. That’s our goal, and we hope we can achieve it.”
Despite unexpected construction cost increases due to pandemic-related disruptions in supply chains and contractor availability, the completion of the project was made possible through significant fundraising efforts from the city and key funders such as the Mayor’s Office of Community Development and the Low Income Investment Fund. Notably, the project was accomplished without debt, highlighting the organization’s resilience and determination.
The Center also partnered with The California Department of Education and San Francisco’s Department of Early Childhood. The newly established center will offer high-quality childcare to children between the ages of 2 and 5. For more information about Good Samaritan Family Resource Centers and their programs, please visit their website at goodsamfrc.org.
Pablo Unzueta contributed to this report.
