Just for youth

Come join other Hillside middle school & teen members for Super Saturday fun 1–6 p.m. Oct. 10 & 24 • Nov. 14 & 21 • Dec. 12 & 19

Join the Fun • Build Projects • Play in Friendly Competitions & Gaming Tourneys • Stay Active!

For more information about Hillside Youth Center and how to join, visit JBLMmwr.com/programs/mst.

Events are subject to change. Check JBLMmwr.com for updates.

Caring for youth is a priority

By Patti Jeffrey

Who oversees your children at JBLM’s child development centers? People like Tamara Brooks, assistant director of Hillside CDC. She continuously collaborates with her staff, parents and leadership to enable children in their care to grow day-by-day, by taking in what they learn and maturing.

Tamara has been in the childcare field for 16 years, 12 of those years with Child & Youth Services and as assistant director for 10 years. Undoubtedly, she’s devoted to the care and protection of Hillside children. She says, “I love the sense of ownership we take in every child’s development, how we work together, share the same vision and mission and are mentors of positivity.

“My job requires a lot of multitasking,” says Tamara. “It never gets boring! I love that there is always something new to learn. We all support each other and work together to offer resourceful guidance and then make our ideas a reality. I love being respected, appreciated and listened to.”

Part of her responsibility is making sure the staff feels supported, parents’ concerns are answered, classrooms are adequately supplied and being an experienced resource and mentor to the staff.

The challenges Tamara sees from the pandemic are multiplied by the start of the new school year. “We need to make sure families have childcare during this pandemic. That’s tough — it’s so hard watching families struggle with not knowing what to do day by day.”

The team at Hillside CDC cares for children 6 weeks–5 years, while Hillside Youth Center’s and the former Hillside SKIES building teams focus on students in kindergarten–5th grade, supervising during the school day while they Continued on page 12.