Boots on the ground. That’s how First 5 San Bernardino Community Engagement Specialist LuCretia Dowdy sums up her work. With the progressive easing of COVID-19 restrictions that previously limited events to a drive-thru format at best over the past few years, Dowdy is making up for lost time having represented First 5 San Bernardino at 18 events so far this year.
Scott McGrath, deputy director of systems and impact, explained that Dowdy is the quarterback of the organization’s outreach activity by triaging requests, ordering promotional items, orchestrating booth set up and interfacing with the public. “LuCretia is so good in this role and excels in connecting with the communities we serve. She embodies our goal of meeting people where they are and doing all we can to help children 0-5 and their families,” McGrath concluded.
“It’s my job to make sure we stay connected with our community and its members by attending events and providing needed information,” Dowdy explained. The organization is asked to attend events throughout San Bernardino County all year long, and Dowdy manages those requests with ease. Days, nights or weekends, it doesn’t matter. Dowdy makes promoting First 5 San Bernardino her priority whenever duty calls. From a literacy event in the High Desert, to the Children are our Future event at the 66ers game in San Bernardino, to the Fontana CAP Resource fair in Fontana, to a Seeds of Joy event in Ontario, Dowdy’s work crisscrosses all throughout San Bernardino County.
“I don’t think of what I do as a job. I look at it as an opportunity to uplift, educate and help others,” said Dowdy. “The smile on the faces of little ones and their parents after providing assisting is pure gratification. I totally LOVE what I do,” Dowdy concluded.