The History of The Isabel Amaya Foundation

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In 1977, Isabel Amaya began caring for and teaching Catechism to children in a neighboring village in El Salvador, a community formed after the War. With no Catechism available, Isabel opened her home to teach and care for the village children. Her house also welcomed visiting priests who offered Mass, prayers, and various programs for the children. Isabel provided food, shelter, and clothing, creating a community gathering place.

Isabel Amaya and the children sought the support of Mr. Quintero, a wealthy landowner in the village, to donate property for constructing a church to serve the community.

In 2005, Isabel Amaya moved to the U.S. and encouraged her daughter, Betty Amaya, to obtain a driver's license, take Child Development classes, and open her home to care for children in Long Beach, CA. Isabel pursued an in-home childcare license and began caring for children from diverse backgrounds.

Through prayer and hard work, Betty Amaya, with her mother Isabel's support, learned about state programs to make childcare affordable and offer greater support to the families they served.

In 2012, Isabel Amaya obtained a license from the State of California to open another daycare across the street from her daughter's home, addressing the growing need for childcare in the community.

From March 2016 to March 2022, the Amaya family expanded their services by opening a total of eight in-home childcare daycares in Long Beach. Their efforts addressed community needs and demonstrated the Amaya family's commitment to serving families through:

• Offering daycare services
• Providing meals, clothing, and financial support
• Foster care
• Educational support
• Care for infants and special-needs children

Jasmine Castro Amaya the daughter of Betty Amaya and granddaughter of Isabel Amaya, while attending Long Beach City College and pursuing an Early Childhood Education degree, envisioned opening a licensed childcare center offering not only childcare services but also afterschool programs and educational support for those under 18 in the Long Beach community. Inspired by her family's legacy of caring for children and their families, she committed to this vision.

 Isabel Amaya passed away on December 25, 2020.

In April 2021, Jasmine Castro Amaya opened her own licensed in-home childcare daycare, drawing inspiration from meaningful connections with the children and families she served. Motivated by the community's needs, she founded the Isabel Amaya Foundation in honor of her late grandmother. The foundation supports children and their families with greater resources and lays the groundwork for opening a childcare center in Long Beach.

Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State of California to establish the Isabel Amaya Foundation as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporation for Public Benefit.

The Articles of Incorporation were approved by the Secretary of State of California. The Board of Directors adopted the Isabel Amaya Foundation Bylaws, filed a Statement of Information with the Secretary of State of California, and obtained an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) was filed with the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Initial Registration Form CT-1 was filed with the State of California Office of the Attorney General Registry of Charities and Fundraisers.

The Isabel Amaya Foundation joined The Long Beach Partnership and Long Beach Gives. 

The Isabel Amaya Foundation joined  The Long Beach Early Learning Hub, a program administered by the Mayor's Fund for Long Beach.