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# Preschoolers walk with diplomas
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/preschoolers-walk-with-diplomas/
- Published: 2004-08-31T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:59:03.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Venice, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

As school begins for most children, a handful of preschoolers graduated last week. Seven children, age 5, received diplomas from the full-day child care Early Learning Center (ELC) in an Aug. 27 ceremony at St. Joseph Center in Santa Monica, while 13 of their fellow students sang “Baby Beluga” and “Love Is Something” in enthusiastic support.

The 20 preschoolers and their parents are part of the center’s ongoing childcare, development, and case management services encouraging self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income families. Staff member Bernardo Contreras asked the graduates about their career goals, and there were many future professionals in the class, including a pilot, a nurse, and a teacher who wants “to keep children out of trouble.”

“This ceremony is very special to me,” said April Wright, ELC coordinator. “It marks the first graduation in our expanded Early Learning Center program that moved to Fourth and Ashland last year. Here we are preparing children for the future.”

St. Joseph Center has been working with the less fortunate in Venice, Santa Monica, and the Westside community for 28 years. Volunteers and funds are needed to support the center’s 11 ongoing programs, which include emergency services, childcare, counseling, job training, and senior services for over 8,000 men, women and children each year.

For more information on St. Joseph Center, call (310) 396-6468, ext. 325, or visit www.stjosephctr.org.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 31, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/083104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)