PART 3

Note: This is part 3 in a series of three profiles on child care providers who received COVID-19 Child Care Stabilization grants. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here.

Hermiston provider perseveres after COVID-19 closures 

Like many others providing child care in Oregon, Marisela Ortiz used some of her grant funding to pay for basics: utility bills, food for her program, school supplies, a portable air conditioner for hot weather, upgrading the meal prep area of her kitchen, and purchasing a printer for her computer.

But COVID-19 hit Ortiz especially hard. She was forced to close four separate times due to illnesses in her program. The Spanish-speaking provider owns and operates Jardin Infantil at her home in Hermiston. Thanks to the ELD’s COVID-19 Stabilization Grant funding, she was able to recoup about 70% of the losses for the closures, which threatened to close her business for good.

She is now able to focus on the children’s learning and enrichment activities. Today, she’s been using her new printer for age-appropriate handouts and worksheets in both Spanish and English. The grant funds also allowed her to buy outside toys for the children to improve their gross motor skills.

“I was so thankful to be able to receive the grant funds,” Ortiz said. “I was able to purchase so many necessary items for my students. The grant made it possible to keep my business open.”