Redlands Christian Migrant Association
Assignment 4 Paper

Dr. Robert E. Lee
PAD 4419
Zully Tirado
Summer Term 2010

July 8, 2010
I. Agency y Selected: “RCMA” (Redlands Christian Migrant Association)

History
Since 1965 RCMA has been helping these working poor families and their children break the cycle of poverty and ignorance to a broad range of programs from early childhood development to collage training. ("Redlands Christian migrant," 2008). RCMA began its existence in October 1, 1965. It was founded by Mennonite Church Volunteers in the Redlands farming area of Southern Miami-Dade County to provide safe and nurturing environment for children while their parents worked in the fields ("Rcma- childcare and," 2010). RCMA began with three centers, serving approximately 75 children in the Homestead and Florida City area. Today, RCMA serves nearly 8,000 children in more than 75 centers and two charter schools in 21 Florida counties. ("Rcma- childcare and," 2010). Across the state of Florida, not just children and families but the entire communities have been changed to this combination of involvement, education and opportunity. * Appendix I shows the 21 Florida counties where RCMA’s centers are located. Mission Statement

The RCMA mission statement is to create and foster opportunities for the children of migrant and other low-income rural families to maximize the choices in their lives (Rcma employee handbook, 2009).

Vision Statement
RCMA will continue its emphasis on educating children and empowering families (Rcma employee handbook, 2009). II. Purpose and Structure
Purpose
RCMA is non-profit organization that provides quality child care and early education for children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families through Florida ("Rcma- childcare and," 2010). Structure

RCMA staffing is reflective of the ethnicity of the children served, and hiring from within the community has been their practice since 1968