Family Central Inc.

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When she arrived to the United States from Jamaica in 1987 with two young daughters, Cynthia Colquhoun found herself homeless and short on options.  A friend offered the three a place to live and Cynthia seized the opportunity to make life better for her and her family. She enrolled in school and cleaned homes to make ends meet. Shortly after completing courses in education, she was hired in 1988 as a teacher at Skipper Chuck’s Child Care Center #2, the center she now manages.  Cynthia eventually obtained an associate degree in Business Administration and, in addition to her work at the center, is now attending classes full-time at night to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Miami-Dade College. 

Under Cynthia’s leadership, Skipper Chuck’s has participated in Family Central programs such as Quality Counts, a voluntary rating system that reviews early learning center activities according to clearly defined, high quality standards using a five star method of evaluation.  The center became a Quality Counts three-star and Gold Seal center in 2008, which places it among a small percentage of high-achieving childcare centers rated by the program.
 
Quality Counts also offers support and incentives to help providers reach their operational goals. With assistance from the program and Family Central, Cynthia and her teachers received a coveted Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (A.P.P.L.E.) accreditation, an 18-month evaluative process that covers key areas of a center’s operations.  Cynthia is currently pursuing a second A.P.P.L.E. accreditation for one of her sister centers.

Her commitment to excel not only motivates her to do more with her centers and in her own life, but in the lives of others as well.  Cynthia encourages her teachers to attend professional development classes and supports them in their efforts.  Years ago, when she witnessed a young girl arrive daily with poor hygiene and unhealthy breakfasts, she was deeply moved to act. She took foster parent classes and embarked on a journey that would eventually bring 15 children under her care until they were adopted or returned to their families.  She gives back to the community by reading to children at the local library, participating in neighborhood clean-ups and giving clothes to the homeless.  On Sundays, one will always find her at church. Her work in the community is surpassed only by the time she devotes to her family.

Now a proud mother, grandmother and wife, Cynthia has six children and one grandson. She adopted three girls who range in age from 27 to a year.  Her son, a first grader, has participated in Family Central’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (H.I.P.P.Y.) program.  Cynthia credits the program with his success in school – he has been on the principal’s Honor Roll since kindergarten.  She regularly makes the time to take her son and grandson to Boy Scout meetings, soccer, football and other activities.

Cynthia’s life has evolved along a rich and winding road since her arrival more than twenty years ago as a young immigrant mother facing homelessness.  Her long-term goal is to open a shelter for teenage mothers where she will, in essence, offer the same help so kindly given to her years ago.  She continues to move forward with energy, passion and an enviable set of goals yet to achieve.