First 5 Madera County director Chinayera Black-Hardaman, left, greets Maria Salazar, right, and Mayra Miranda, AmeriCorps graduates who worked at First 5 while participating in the program. (Wendy Alexander)
By Razi Syed
For nearly 15 years, First 5 Madera County has funded and supported early childhood and anti-tobacco education programs locally.
The organization came into existence due to a statewide general election initiative 17 years ago.
“In 1998, there was something on the ballot called ‘The Children and Families First Act,’” executive director Chinayera Black-Hardaman said. The initiative proposed a 50-cent tax on each pack of cigarettes sold in the state of California.
“Amazingly enough, it passed,” Black-Hardaman said...