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Pelham Children's Center Director Brings Energy

Lori Woliner has only been the executive director at the Pelham Children's Center since May. In that short time, she has tried to energize the center located at the Pelham Town House on Fifth Avenue.

Woliner oversees the day-to-day operations of the Pelham Children's Center, which cares for children ages 18 months to five years. The center serves the working parents in Pelham and surrounding communities that need someone to supervise their children during the day.

"When I came here, the center needed a revitalization," Woliner said. "They were looking for someone to perk it up a little bit with some plans and purposes to move it in a really positive direction and to do a lot of outreach and fundraising."

The center remains open 51 weeks each year, except for the last week in August when the teachers at the center undergo staff training. The curriculum remains the same year-round, even during the summer.

"There's nothing about the summer that is different except for the weather," Woliner said. "They get out into the sprinklers."

The staff takes the children outdoors more often during the summer. A group went for a walk to the fire department in early July and strolled down Fifth Avenue.

The children play at sand and water tables and perform art activities. They also do yoga, cook and create stories. Some of the older children even write and draw pictures.

Woliner said she has begun to prepare for the after school program that starts in September, known as SACC, or Student Aged Child Care. The Pelham Children's Center partners with Colonial Elementary School and Hutchinson Elementary School to provide care for students until 6 p.m. throughout the school year.

Woliner has only been the executive director since May 16, but she has started to familiarize herself with the staff, children and families. She has made a point of trying to build community within the center. She described how the children eat together and serve themselves to learn independence.

"It's like a second family," Woliner said.

Do you have any children enrolled at the Pelham Children's Center? Do you know Lori Woliner? Comment below, on Facebook or Twitter @DailyPelham.

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