LOTO, Inc. History
By; Shawnta Hill- Blaine
The history of LOTO, Inc. was destined to be. Inspired by the love of children Sinolla Monique Freeman opened her home childcare facility Candyland Childcare in 1999. Starting out with one child for months opening up 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Teaching one child the curriculum standards required by the State of Georgia, providing food, a safe environment and lots of love. She genuinely loved what she was doing; working with her kids all day. Business picked up quickly, school was out for the summer and it was non-stop working around the clock from there on out. The business grew within the first two years, she had to relocate to a new location.
The new location located was in East Savannah close to the downtown district. It was a much bigger facility establishing more room for a group childcare facility. Little Deb-Bee’s Childcare with normal business hours and employees was the beginning foundation to LOTO, Inc. She obtained her degree in Business from Savannah Technical College and eventually her Child Development Associate (CDA) from Spelman College. Her dream was to transition to another facility for children with special needs. Her determination and love for helping children lead her to teaching and being ASQ-3 certified to test children to see if they meet the standards of growth according to the state. Then training staff on a child with special needs and finally moving to work for Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS).
LOTO, Inc. “League of Their Own” was destiny. The non-profit organization was formulated in God’s timing. The need was obvious, then there was a vision and now is the time to put a plan in action. After working in the public school system at Bartlett Middle School now The STEM Academy in the Pace program with children with Autism I’ve meant a few brilliant, UNIQUE, athletic, talented students that just wanted to be a part of something. Year after year, month after month, and day after day students and parents alike have nothing to do or can’t find anything to do. After five and a half years of the same thing the children were getting restless. In 2015 one brave, daring, unique athlete who lives for basketball with little game says, “Coach Jones will you find me a team or can you make me a team. For him and every kid like him “LOTO, Inc.” will create a League of Their Own. Building character, sportsmanship, life skills, friendship and physical agility with a life time of memories.
The history of LOTO, Inc. was destined to be. Inspired by the love of children Sinolla Monique Freeman opened her home childcare facility Candyland Childcare in 1999. Starting out with one child for months opening up 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Teaching one child the curriculum standards required by the State of Georgia, providing food, a safe environment and lots of love. She genuinely loved what she was doing; working with her kids all day. Business picked up quickly, school was out for the summer and it was non-stop working around the clock from there on out. The business grew within the first two years, she had to relocate to a new location.
The new location located was in East Savannah close to the downtown district. It was a much bigger facility establishing more room for a group childcare facility. Little Deb-Bee’s Childcare with normal business hours and employees was the beginning foundation to LOTO, Inc. She obtained her degree in Business from Savannah Technical College and eventually her Child Development Associate (CDA) from Spelman College. Her dream was to transition to another facility for children with special needs. Her determination and love for helping children lead her to teaching and being ASQ-3 certified to test children to see if they meet the standards of growth according to the state. Then training staff on a child with special needs and finally moving to work for Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS).
LOTO, Inc. “League of Their Own” was destiny. The non-profit organization was formulated in God’s timing. The need was obvious, then there was a vision and now is the time to put a plan in action. After working in the public school system at Bartlett Middle School now The STEM Academy in the Pace program with children with Autism I’ve meant a few brilliant, UNIQUE, athletic, talented students that just wanted to be a part of something. Year after year, month after month, and day after day students and parents alike have nothing to do or can’t find anything to do. After five and a half years of the same thing the children were getting restless. In 2015 one brave, daring, unique athlete who lives for basketball with little game says, “Coach Jones will you find me a team or can you make me a team. For him and every kid like him “LOTO, Inc.” will create a League of Their Own. Building character, sportsmanship, life skills, friendship and physical agility with a life time of memories.