Public Counsel eNews

Child Care Project Partners with
Architectural Firm to Help Client

Not long ago, Yolanda Cortez called Public Counsel’s Child Care Law Project (CCLP) for help in obtaining a large family child care permit in the city of Cudahy, a suburb at the juncture of the 710 and 5 freeways in the San Gabriel Valley.  CCLP staff attorney, Melissa Lawton, knew how to help Yolanda with the legal aspects of the application but there was one part of the application that neither Yolanda nor Melissa could complete - the city required that a floor plan and radius map, both to be drafted by an architect, be submitted with the application.  Yolanda, like almost all childcare providers, had no idea where to begin to locate a suitable architect, let alone afford one. 

All of Public Counsel’s projects seek to be full service, and CCLP is no exception. Instead of simply telling Yolanda that she had to go find an architect and the money to pay for one, Melissa Lawton called Gonzalez|Goodale architects in Pasadena.

Since its founding in 1979, Gonzalez|Goodale has served numerous and diverse nonprofit clients.  The firm’s Director of Marketing, Dan Frank, is a member of “Constructing Connections LA,” a collaborative in which CCLP is intimately involved and which is dedicated to providing technical assistance to those wishing to open a new child care center in Los Angeles County.

All it took was one call to Dan Frank and he arranged for an architect at his firm, Jaime Olmos, to visit Yolanda’s facility.  Jaime completed the required plan and map in short order so that Yolanda could complete her application.  And Gonzalez|Goodale waived their fee for all of their drawings and the time to produce them was completely free of charge. 

“I’m always so moved and impressed with the level of giving in Los Angeles,” says Dan Grunfeld, Public Counsel’s President and CEO.  “Gonzalez|Goodale’s generosity, our office’s support and Ms. Cortez’s initiative is just another wonderful example of the power of collaboration in helping vulnerable children and communities.”

This collaboration with Gonzalez|Goodale enabled Public Counsel to offer the full spectrum of needed services to Ms. Cortez in the complicated area of zoning law where many child care providers get stymied in their efforts to expand their programs. 

“Our joint efforts are particularly vital in Cudahy,” says Pam Schmidt, CCLP’s Directing Attorney.  “Cudahy is one of the most underserved areas for child care and early education in all of Los Angeles County.  Yolanda Cortez’ services as a child care provider are vitally needed there, and we’re only too happy to help.”