Head Start grant will upgrade BBGC restrooms

BREWSTER – The restrooms in the Brewster Boys and Girls Club and Early Head Start quarters at the Rec Center at 601 W. Cliff Avenue will get a much-needed upgrade thanks to a collaboration between Brewster Public Works Director Lee Webster and Okanogan County Child Development Association (OCCDA) Executive Director Jodi DeCesari.

Webster told a recent meeting of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce that DeCesari wrote the application for the one-time grant to cover estimated costs to renovate the boys’ and girls’ restrooms and advised Webster on Friday, July 27, that the grant had been approved.

“They need significant work,” said DeCesari, “so I got a quote.”

DeCesari submitted the application for a one-time health and safety grant for the estimated $151,760 renovation to the Head Start regional office. DeCesari said a Head Start regional representative who wanted to fast-track the repairs, visited the site, took photos, and submitted them with the grant application.

“They gave me the approval and once it is processed through the Federal Grant Solutions system, the funds will be available,” said DeCesari who expects that phase to be completed soon.

OCCDA leases space for its Early Head Start and Rural Home Visiting programs at the Rec. center building. DeCesari has served as Executive Director for OCCDA for the past two year. Prior to that she was a member of the agency’s Board of Directors.