(l-r) Lance W. Elder, EAC President/CEO; Diana Gillooley, EAC Baby Angelica Children's Center Program Director; Jaclynne M. Jacobs, EAC Assistant Vice President of Development; and Mark Annunziata, Esq., of Mark A. Annunziata, P.C. in Garden City and WE CARE Board Member The Education & Assistance Corporation recently received $5,000 from the Nassau County Bar Association's WE CARE Fund. This grant will support EAC's Baby Angelica Child Care Center located in District Court in Hempstead.

The WE CARE Fund receives donations and fundraising efforts from members of the legal profession and the community-at-large. The money is distributed annually to organizations that are working to improve the quality of life for children, the elderly and others in need throughout Nassau County.

The EAC Baby Angelica Memorial Children's Center, named in memory of a deceased infant found in the courthouse, serves as a quality child care facility for children who are brought to court for matters involving them or their caregivers. To encourage child development and positive images of different cultures, genders and ethnicity, the Center features a computer, music, books and toys, as well as experienced child care professionals and nutritious snacks.

"Before the Center opened, children were forced to stay in courthouse halls waiting for their caregivers' cases to be called," stated Diana Gillooley, the Center's Program Director. "Not only did these tired and hungry children disrupt Court proceedings, but on many occasions they heard damaging testimony about their parents or witnessed their parents being handcuffed and led out of the court room. Judges applaud the presence of the program and support it themselves by dropping off books or toys for the children on an on-going basis. With the We Care Fund donation EAC can continue to provide this very valuable resource."