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# Preschoolers get diplomas By Daily Press staff
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/preschoolers-get-diplomas-by-daily-press-staff/
- Published: 2003-08-25T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:50:01.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Venice, #archive-import, Homeless

Seven 5-year-old children received their diplomas last week in the Child Care & Parenting Program graduation ceremony at St. Joseph Center in Venice, while 13 of their fellow students sang “Baby Beluga” in enthusiastic support.

The 20 preschoolers and their parents are part of the center’s ongoing childcare and case management services to help create self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families. When program coordinator April Wright asked the graduates about their future career choices, two said they wish to become nurses, one plans to be a singer and one wants to be a lion tamer.

“This graduation ceremony is very special to me,” Wright said. “Because it marks the expansion of our program into an Early Learning Center that will be located at Fourth and Ashland, and where we will be able to prepare even more children for the future.”

St. Joseph Center has been building new futures for the less fortunate in the West Los Angeles community for 26 years. Volunteers and funds are needed to support St. Joseph Center’s eleven ongoing programs, including emergency services, childcare, counseling, and training for more than 7,500 men, women and children each year.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/082503-03_01.jpg)

of St. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/082503-03_02.jpg)

of St. (Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 25, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082503.pdf?ref=smdp.com)