Southwest Human Development celebrates the opening of a new Head Start location in Phoenix.

The brand-new facility is on the Larry C. Kennedy Elementary School campus, at 2702 E Osborn Road, in the Creighton School District.

The new Head Start will serve 34 income eligible children and their families.

“We’re delighted to be opening this new location,” Mindy Zapata, director of Early Head Start and Head Start at Southwest Human Development, shared in a press release. “We’re really seeing how fundamental these programs have been for underserved families throughout our community to receive the support they need.”

All children who participate in Head Start and Early Head Start gain access to a high-quality learning environment, highly trained staff and low child-to-teacher ratios. The programs also provide participants with health and development screenings, nutritious meals and snacks, dental and mental health support, and other related services.

Parents or caregivers of Head Start participants have access to comprehensive social support services and other related resources to help families achieve academic, financial and home-life goals.

Southwest Human Development’s early education programs serve more than 1,200 children and their families. Programs are offered at Educare Arizona and in the Balsz, Creighton, Madison, Osborn and Paradise Valley school districts.

Additionally, Southwest Human Development’s Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership programs are offered at several Phoenix childcare centers.

Families interested in enrolling at the new campus or any Southwest Human Development location can visit swhd.org/HeadStart or call 602-560-0000.

A look at kids playing in the new Head Start facility and of children participating in the Creighton School District in Phoenix.

(Photo Cori Taran Photography, provided by Southwest Human Development)