After Explosion - Anacostia Child Care Center & Parents Need Immediate Support
On January 18, 2024, a vehicle hit a gas line outside of a small convenience store in Southeast, Washington, D.C. causing a major gas leak. The store is directly next door to Baby Einstein Child Development Center where 16 children and the center’s workers had already begun their day. As soon as the childcare workers smelled the gas they jumped into action, dressed, and evacuated the infants and children. As they began to leave the building, DC Fire & EMS arrived. Approximately 15 minutes later a major explosion leveled the store and destroyed the childcare center. Thankfully everyone was evacuated and only one individual outside the building suffered minor injuries.
Baby Einstein Child Development Center has served children 6 weeks to 5 years old and their families in the Anacostia neighborhood for over 10 years. D.C. is the most difficult city in the country to find and afford childcare in D.C. The Center’s Director, Ms. Regina Snead is working very hard to support these children and families because she cares about them deeply, but also knows how crucial having childcare immediately is.
These families cannot afford to be without childcare. They have to go to work. Being able to take leave, or miss work and maintain employment, especially over an extended time period is not an option.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
CONTACT DC OFFICIALS - HELP THE CENTER FIND A SPACE
The center needs to secure a space to relocate IMMEDIATELY. The community can reach out to the following officials to strongly urge them to make sure space is made available immediately:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Email: muriel.bowser@dc.gov
Telephone: 202-727-2643
Twitter: @MayorBowser
Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White
Email: twhite@dccouncil.us
Telephone: (202)724-8045
Twitter: @trayonwhite
At-Large Councilmember Robert White
Email: rwhite@dccouncil.us
Telephone: (202)-724-8174
Twitter: @CMRobertWhiteDC
At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds
Email: abonds@dccouncil.us
Telephone: (202) 724-8064
Twitter: @AnitaBondsDC
At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson
Email: chenderson@dccouncil.gov
Telephone: (202) 724-8105
Twitter: @CMCHenderson
FINANCIAL SUPPORT - GOFUNDME https://www.gofundme.com/f/baby-einstein-daycare-fire
The Center is reaching out to the community for support. The financial support will allow the center to quickly purchase necessary and required supplies and other essential items to begin being able to care for these children without having to wait for critical items. Your financial support will ensure access to adequate items and supplies to ensure a safe, healthy, and clean environment with all of the necessary required materials and supplies needed as soon as possible. As they work hard to secure a new space, these items will need to be secured and ready as soon as space becomes available.
DONATE ITEMS DIRECTLY TO THE CENTER
Contact the center Director, Ms. Regina Snead at (202) 610-5437.
Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Black Lives Matter DC
Email: info@dcblm.org
Twitter: @DMVBlackLives
Facebook: @BLMDC
Get updates here.
Website: www.dcblm.org
Donate to the DC Chapter here.
*BLMDC is NOT part of the national BLM organization. Learn more here.