Cisco Center To Reopen May 20

Cisco Nachera was busy talking to prospective parents on Tuesday inside the  rebuilt in Severna Park.

The center serves children with special needs and is operated by Cisco and Carla Nachera, both former Anne Arundel County teachers. The building was ravaged by a fire in February 2010 and has been closed ever since.

The program has operated out of the Vineyard Childcare Center in Millersville while a new building was built.

Cisco Nachera said the bulk of the work was done through donations and discounts from the community like Ben Poe and Cookie Kiser. He said Poe and Kiser "took us under their wings."

The center's board of directors raised $100,000, hired contractors and obtained permits to get the center back to its original location. 

A "Big Bash" is planned from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 20 when friends and supporters are invited to attend and celebrate the reopening of the new facility at 350 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd.

Located on almost an acre of land, the area behind the center is full of play equipment and the circular driveway in the back is convenient for parents. Inside, the walls are freshly painted with an entrance area complete with seating for guests, three classrooms, a room for occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy all located on the first floor. 

The second floor houses a conference room and workspace for staff and parents, as well as a classroom for older children. 

"It's well insulated, bigger and prettier than before," said Cisco Nachera, as he looked around one of the classrooms.

The center has served up to 100 families at a time.

"We get the parents and siblings involved too," he said.

For more information and tickets, visit www.ciscocenter.org.