By Jennifer L. Warren
NEWBURGH – It was a trifecta day of celebration- full of emotional reflection, profound gratitude, and limitless hope- at 88 Lake Street in the City of Newburgh last Wednesday.
Here, on an early, warm summer morning, a proud, smiling line of excited young children, clad in purple hued gowns could be spotted on stage. The group made up this year’s graduation class at the Young and Unique Christian Daycare, led by Owner and Founder, Desiree Watson. A main staple for delivering quality education, along with character development rooted in a strong religious foundation for the past 25 years, the well-respected place of learning carries the further distinction of being one of the first African-American owned formal child daycare centers in the Hudson Valley. For all those reasons, as well as the day being Juneteenth, it was a well-deserved, highly welcomed and ideal time for joyous celebration.
“June 19, 2024 marked a truly unforgettable day for Young & Unique Child Care Center, intertwining the spirit of Juneteenth with our annual preschool graduation and 25th anniversary,” said Watson. “As the Owner and Director, this occasion was deeply moving, as it highlighted our journey from inception to becoming a cornerstone in the community.”
That potent impact lies in several transformative pieces the authentic daycare possesses. Licensed to provide childcare for 129 children, it offers internships for students in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District’s West Street School, on-the-job training as well as frequently serves as the first job opportunity for its former attendees- graduates. Watson, who possesses a rich and diverse early childhood education background, laden with experience, and has her ministerial license, prays and directly interacts with the children.
Her purposes and breadth of positive transformative effects at her Daycare and community are extensive. Juneteenth in many ways stands as a guiding symbol for what she seeks to do each day.
“Just as Juneteenth commemorated freedom and the journey towards equality, my mission as a woman and minority-owned business resonates strongly; I have always strived to bridge gaps in the community, echoing the principles of Juneteenth by providing affordable childcare services, professional training experiences and equal opportunities of employment,” said Watson. “Those efforts not only support working families, but also empower our diverse staff and nurture the growth and development of the children in our care.”
Those youth, wearing radiating smiles Wednesday, could also be seen shining miniature, yellow flashlights, during the ceremony. Provided by the Keynote Speaker, Shirley Sutphin, CEO of Let’s Talk as well as a heavily involved community advocate who holds several functions throughout the year providing for those in need and recognizing outstanding women, the flashlights, like the day June 19 itself, carried deep symbolic overtures.
“I want them to shine their light out to the world; they really loved lighting them up,” said Sutphin who spoke to the young graduates about discovering their talents and pursuing their dreams no matter what as well as versed them on the details of Juneteenth. “It was a privilege to highlight those students, as they are our future change makers in our community; I was also honored to acknowledge Mrs. Watson on her excellence with providing childcare to three and a half-five year olds with academic learning experiences while building a religious relationship with God.”
With all she does at her Young and Unique Christian Daycare Center, Watson stands on Proverb 22:6, “Train up a child in the ways he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
That guiding mission encompasses her future outlook as she looks ahead to all the possibilities of the place that will always reside close to her heart.
“As we continue to grow and evolve, Young & Unique Daycare remains steadfast in our commitment to serving and uplifting those around us,” said Watson. “Moving forward, we remain committed to expanding our impact, advocating equity and continuing to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for all those we serve.”