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FACES IN FOCUS: Beloved child care director retires

Sanford Herald - 11/17/2019

Nov. 17--When Robin Godfrey first began working at the Jonesboro Child Care Center in the 1970s, she had no idea how long she would end up staying.

"A couple of days after I turned 21, I started working here... I didn't have any idea that it would be forever," she said. "But it's been amazing."

Now 68, Godfrey is retiring from the center after nearly half a century of teaching and nurturing children. The Broadway woman is now the center's director, overseeing the nonprofit's funding, staff and enrollment with the help of now-retired co-director Peggy Gaster.

Although Godfrey is looking forward to a break from full-time work, she won't be leaving the center completely, she said.

"I'm retiring, but I'm not totally quitting. I'll be in and

see retires/page a3

out. It's gonna be bittersweet. I'm kind of ready, but I'm not," she said, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.

"It's gonna be tough because a lot of my heart and soul is here. I put 48 years in it. We've actually kept grandchildren of children that I used to keep back in the day."

Godfrey said she is frequently visited by her former charges. People stop by to say hello whenever they're in the neighborhood.

"There's one guy who's in the Army and every time he's on leave, he'll come by and see me," she said. "It's good to know that they are successful. It makes me feel good that they want to come back and visit."

The center is relatively small, with space for just 62 children, but it's still an invaluable resource to the community. For many children, it's almost like a second home, Godfrey said.

"Some of them spend more time here than they do at home because parents have to get out and work and everything," she said. "So when they come here, we try to make their day as interesting and active as possible."

As a nonprofit, the center tries to keep its fees low, making childcare affordable for those who would otherwise be unable to use it, Godfrey said.

She and the other staff work with Family Promise of Lee County to look after the children of homeless families for free, giving their parents time to search for work. The center also tries to make accommodations for families going through tough times, Godfrey said.

"We work with some families that ... make too much to get help from social services, but not enough to pay a big tuition bill. So we try to work with families that way," she said.

The center itself has also survived some tough times. It almost closed for good in 2008 during the financial crisis when parents who were suddenly out of work didn't need and couldn't afford childcare. Godfrey and Gaster went without a salary for three months to keep the doors open, said board member Carol Chappell .

"Robin has been the one who has kept it going through anything," Chappell said. "She's there all day long, 12 hours a day, every day."

With the laughter of children ringing through the halls, the center is a bright, lively place.

"Hi, Mrs. Godfrey!" one child shouted Tuesday as she passed the open door of Godfrey's office.

A smile blossomed on Godfrey's face as she waved back to the little girl. The same smile appears often when she talks to the children. Supervising them can be a tough job, but it's worth it, Godfrey said.

"There's days when it's like 'Oh, goodness, I can't do this anymore.' And then a little kid will come up and hug you around the legs (and say) 'Mrs. Godfrey, I love you,'" she said.

"It's challenging, it's rewarding. It's a blessing."

Reach Reporter Jasmine Gallup at 919-718-1217.

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