Xiente, a nonprofit organization committed to fostering economic mobility, hosted a graduation for the first cohort of Busesito, a free mobile preschool for children 3-5.
The bilingual ceremony took place at The Cenacle at the Padre Pio Center in St. Joachim Church, 1527 Church St.
The innovative six-month program was possible thanks to funding from the William Penn Foundation and Vanguard’s Strong Start for Kids program.
In all, six kids graduated with improved learning and socialization skills. The grads walked onto stage as Pomp and Circumstance played. They received diplomas and a medal, performed the Veggie Dance and sang the Rainbow Song and other tunes.
Afterward, the grads and guests celebrated with food, cake and cupcakes.
The students attended classes in the Xiente bus parked on Griscom Street.
“They have an excitement for learning,” Xiente vice president of education Adamary Sosa told the gathering.
The crowd also heard from, among others, Busesito lead teacher Sarah Clemency and economic mobility coordinator Stephanie Santiago.
Xiente presented gift bags and flowers to Sister Linda Lukiewski, SSJ, pastoral minister at St. Joan of Arc Parish, and Windy Rodriguez, program director at The Cenacle at the Padre Pio Center.
Sosa described education as a lifeline for families. She said Xiente will continue to offer resources for the grads, some of whom will be in kindergarten this year.
“We’re not letting you go,” she said.
Also at the ceremony, dedicated parents were recognized for attending Xiente’s 18 classes and workshops on subjects such as financial literacy, networking, employment and parenting. The classes were geared toward social mobility, helping people climb out of intergenerational poverty, and those with perfect attendance received gift bags and medals.
Xiente encourages parents to attend English as a second language classes and offers to help with kindergarten registration.
“We wanted to work with parents and children at the same time,” Sosa said. ••
For more information, call 215-426-8734 or visit Xiente.org.
