Difference Maker: Luz Youse

By Monica Torres, Especialista en Prevención y Alcance Comunitario

Caring, Educating, and Connecting: The Power of Early Childhood in Our Community

Early childhood is a magical and fundamental stage. It is the time when the foundations of a person’s emotional, social, and cognitive development are formed. In those first years of life, every word, every hug, and every game have the power to transform lives.

In our community, there are people who dedicate their knowledge, energy, and passion to improving the lives of young children. One of them is Luz Youse, early childhood consultant at Early Childhood Partners, who has spent nearly a decade tirelessly supporting those who care for and educate the valley’s youngest children.

“Our community is made up of loving families, committed educators, and a strong willingness to collaborate for the well-being of children. That spirit of collaboration and commitment is one of our greatest strengths,” Luz shares.

Born and raised in Colombia, Luz arrived in our community in 2016 and quickly found her place supporting families, teachers, and caregivers. With a background as a teacher and administrator in childcare centers, she now focuses on guiding both formal and informal caregivers to create safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments where both children and adults can thrive.

“I’ve always felt passionate about helping young children grow up in environments full of love, play, and respect,” says Luz. “Seeing how a healthy environment can change a child’s life is what keeps me going.”

One of the major challenges Luz sees in our community is ensuring that all families have access to quality programs from the earliest years. “We know that the early years are essential, and at Early Childhood Partners we work to make sure both educators and families have access to tools, resources, and support at no cost.”

Among the programs she leads is Family, Friends, and Neighbors (FFN), an initiative dedicated to supporting people who care for children in their homes—like grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, or friends—who often do not have the support of a formal childcare setting. Through this program, caregivers receive free workshops, educational materials, financial support, and connections to community resources.  “We want all caregivers to feel valued, connected, and empowered,” Luz says. “Caregiving can be a lonely job, but it doesn’t have to be.” In addition to individual coaching, Early Childhood Partners organizes community events, support groups, and provides early education classes in both English and Spanish to ensure full inclusion in our community.

When asked what motivates her to continue her work, Luz’s answer is clear: “The progress I see in children and the dedication of caregivers inspires me every day. Even the small milestones—like watching a child make a new connection or a teacher develop new skills—are what keep me going.” Her dream for the future of our community is to see every child have access to high-quality early education, where every teacher feels valued and every caregiver has the tools they need to support healthy development.

This August, we are thrilled to have Luz Youse join us for a very special event in collaboration with our Aprendiendo Juntos program. Under the title “Haciendo de la Crianza un Placer”, we will explore practical tools for taking care of ourselves while caring for our children. During the workshop, we’ll learn: How to manage stress in a healthy way, positive discipline strategies and above all, how to understand that we are not alone in this great parenting journey.

From our community team, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Luz Youse and Early Childhood Partners for their valuable collaboration on this article and for being an essential part of the upcoming event “Haciendo de la crianza un placer.”Their commitment to early childhood and their constant support for our families is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for lovingly planting the seeds for the future of our community!