MESA, Ariz. — The city of Mesa has opened a new family resource center at the Mesa Public Library.
The Mesa Family Resource Center, located on the bottom floor of the library, is a $1.2 million project through a grant funded by the state agency First Things First.
According to the city of Mesa, the city will receive $300,000 each year for four years to cover staffing and operations of the center.
John Giles, mayor of Mesa, said the center will be a one-stop-shop for parents and said it’s an opportunity for nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations to get together for a good cause.
“We are very committed to Mesa being a great place to be a kid," John Giles, mayor of Mesa said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck challenge and this is a great opportunity for all of those stakeholders that care about education and early childcare in our community.”
K. Vilay, regional officer for First Things First, said the center will focus on providing resources for families with children from birth to age five.
“The brain science alone demonstrates that between the ages of birth to age five that is a critical and essential period of brain development,” Vilay said. “That's where a lot of the growth and learning happens -- again that sets the foundation of lifelong learning.”
Vilay said the resource center will offer educational resources that can help parents aid their children in reading along with other tools.
“We also offer support for quality early learning programs so childcare, preschool,” Vilay explained. “And also looking at children's health.”
Celeste Smith, a parent, said she was relieved to have a space where her son could be kid.
“[It’s] a space that we can go that's air-conditioned and free that kids can play and not worry about kids getting too loud and getting into things,” Smith said.
Josh Reiangel, another parent, said although he didn’t need help finding resources, the space offered a good place for his children to interact with others.
"I think it's a fun play space," Reingel said. “I imagine when we stop by the library we will stop by a few minutes [my child] is having fun, interacting with all the other kids, that's great for social development."
According to the city of Mesa, the resource center is offering diapers and baby formula and the services provided are not exclusive to Mesa residents.