A
Yonkers parent who started a business to help others struggling during this
time of remote learning is being recognized during Women’s History Month.
Andrea
Vazquez developed Little Prodigies Remote Learning Center after seeing the
social and emotional needs many children have these days.
The center is a place for parents to drop their children off for a full or half day to get their remote school work done.
The center has daily programs in art, music, STEM, coding, or language with the purpose of helping kids develop or discover their interests.
“It
was really important for me to create a resource for parents and kids…knowing
the social/emotional piece was missing for our kids and worrying about their
mental health and adjustment to everything that is going on.”
The
center has socially distanced desks, a mask requirement, temperature checks and
more to keep kids safe. “We make sure the kids have those social interactions
and help parents with that child care need and that remote learning need…the
academic is important but also giving them a safe place to interact.”
The remote learning center is also paired with a nonprofit called
“People United for Social Honor” or PUSH. It’s where students have the
opportunity to sign up for therapy sessions after school and on weekends.
Vazquez, who is also a
licensed social worker, hopes the center is not only helping students reach
their potential in class but also in life.