Westside Madonna Center Expands Childcare Facilities
April 18, 2021 - Westside
Madonna Center Expansion. The Madonna Center celebrated its groundbreaking of a new building and expansion to their campus on Saturday, April 17, 2021. Photo: Amanda Lorraine Lozano.
By Amanda Lorraine Lozano - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
The Madonna Center celebrated its groundbreaking of a new infant and toddler building on their campus on April 17.
H-E-B and the Najim Family Foundation provided initial funding for the building, which will allow expansion of services for 32 additional children.
The building will be open in approximately three months, Dave Toomey, Vice President of the Madonna Center said, the perfect time for summer.
“What’s critical about this building is making sure we have safe, state of the art facilities, and enough room for all the demand, and this community has a big demand for children,” Toomey said. “We provide round the clock programming for kids. The facility, along with the funding from H-E-B and the Najim Family is going to make that happen.”
The Madonna Center offers a variety of programs for all ages including early child care education, after school program, child care staffing solutions, a thrift store, senior programs, a community garden and summer camps.
Leonidas Sandoval, age 4, stole the show at the groundbreaking of the Madonna Center’s expansion. Photo: Amanda Lorraine Lozano.
Originally founded in 1939 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, the Madonna Center moved to its iconic location on the Westside in 1956, where it continues to serve the neighborhood.
The infant and toddler building is one of many improvements the Madonna Center has in store for the future. Actor Ricardo Chavira, star of the Netflix Selena: The Series, is partnering with the organization to bring more awareness to the Westside campus.
Chavira is a longtime supporter of the Madonna Center, and will help spearhead other endeavors in the near future, including the Hybrid Dreaming Gala on May 22.
“I’m happy to be back continually to help with the Madonna Center,” Chavira said. “I want to bring Madonna to the next level, and given the fact I got this new series that’s out, that a lot of people are paying attention to…I wanted to utilize that to bring some benefit to the Madonna Center…I want to generate some interest for new sponsors to come.”
Even amongst local dignitaries, and a Netflix actor, Leonidas Sandoval, 4, stole the show at the groundbreaking. Leonidas kept all eyes on him with his bright-eyed enthusiasm and child sized shovel.
His mother, Virginia couldn’t help but smile at Leo’s enthusiasm. After all, The Madonna Center is like a second home for him. He’s been a part of the program since he was six weeks old, Sandoval explained.
“I had to go back to work full-time, and [he] transitioned to every room very well. I saw him at a young age when he didn’t know how to do anything. His development has been wonderful. The staff here are great,” Sandoval said. “They worked on him with every skill he needed.”
Because of The Madonna Center, Sandoval was able to find a work-life balance. She began volunteering and served on their board.
“I was able to do many things to support,” Sandoval said. “I was able to work, be there for my family and be involved in his education. I have nothing but great things to say [about Madonna]. They do so much not just for my and my family but the entire community all around.”
Amanda Lorraine Lozano is slowly returning back to her journalistic roots after a few years in hiatus. She loves being in the community and occasionally plays mariachi. Follow her on Twitter: @mariachimandi