Nyla from Portland

My name is Nyla and I live in Portland. I am a parent of two daughters. Before the pandemic, my oldest daughter went to school, and we paid a fee for before and after-school care. My youngest daughter was cared for by family members at no cost. 

Our support system changed due to an uncertain economy caused by the pandemic. We had to unenroll my oldest and adjust our budget because we could no longer afford to send my child to a daycare center. Juggling full-time work and watching the children all day has been a significant adjustment for my partner and me. I now double as a full-time caretaker and professional while supporting my eldest daughter, who attends Portland Public Schools. My workday is often interrupted due to a lack of afterschool care. 

Oregon's Black families deserve better than our current childcare options. I want to find full-time care for my toddler, but the average cost of care exceeds my household budget. In fact, according to the National Domestic Workers Alliance, in all but two states in the country, the average costs of child care exceed 20 percent of Black women's median annual earnings.

Our state cannot afford to not invest in child care, especially in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Providers should be properly compensated for their work, and families should have access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally relevant childcare.