It’s now been one year since we closed our centers in response to COVID-19. In those early days, who could have imagined the pandemic would carry on so long? But we continue to make the best of a challenging situation, as we have since the beginning.

Now, as the spring dawns, there is HOPE on the horizon. With the winter surge behind us, ongoing vaccine distribution is bringing promise of brighter days ahead. And for the first time ever, two former Head Start children have been elected to the U.S. Senate. Both Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico and Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia serve as living examples of the hope that our programs bring to children and families.

On the streets of L.A. County, our two mobile classrooms—HOPE the Bus and HOPE on Wheels—are carrying a message of HOPEHelping families gain Opportunity, Preparing children through Early learning. As we approach the new 2021-22 program year, let’s do so with a hopeful spirit.