Mosholu Montefiore Community Center’s (MMCC) Child Development Center (CDC) is opening two new pre-kindergarten sites via federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start program, which offers early childhood education and support services.

The two buildings housing the programs will be named after Natly Esnard and Nora Feury, two long-time employees with MMCC.

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced that a total of $9.3 million would be awarded to five community centers in the Bronx, with MMCC receiving $2.1 million.

“[Head Start] is an early childhood education program but family comes first,” said CDC Program Director Agnes Vendiola, who has worked in the Bronx for 20 years after immigrating from the Philippines and notes their mission is to educate their children and educate the families. “We take them as a unit. We’re not helping the child alone; we have to help the family.”

Head Start is a child development and school readiness program geared towards low-income children mostly between ages three and five. The CDC prepares children for kindergarten and offers health, educational, nutritional, social and safety services to them and their families.

The $2.1 million grant will cover expenses for Head Start locations at 934 E. Gun Hill Rd. in Community District 12 and 887 Crotona Park North in Community District 6, which includes staff salaries, educational materials for children and families, facility upkeep, consultants in mental health and nutrition, a nurse, training assistance, and workshops.

The rest of the grant has been used on two Head Start classrooms, one at the CDC’s main location at 3450 Dekalb Ave. in Community District 7, and the other near Van Cortlandt Park in Community District 8.

Feury, who used to live on East 201st Street and Perry Avenue, has worked in early childhood education for decades and was with the Head Start program in its nascent stages in 1965. “I’m honored. I’m deeply honored,” said Feury, who now works as a consultant for MMCC and also grew up in poverty. “I feel so strongly about the program and children and families we serve. I, myself, was a poor child so I know what it’s like.”

Esnard taught early education in public school for 32 years and has been an MMCC board member for at least 25 years. Three experts in law, accounting, and early childhood are necessary to earn a Head Start grant; Esnard was MMCC’s early education expert.

“I am beyond flattered,” said Esnard, who lives in Norwood and spends a lot of time working with parents in the program. “I think Head Start is the best piece of legislation ever passed in this country. It’s wonderful that we’re able to give this service to these kids.”

Rita Santelia, CEO of MMCC, is ecstatic about the funding and partnership with Head Start. “We’re thrilled we managed to pull this off.”

The new branches of the Child Development Center are targeted to be ready by mid-October.