Lynn YMCA childcare a joy to Escalera

LYNN - Going from a stockbroker on Wall Street to a childcare worker in Lynn might not seem like a prudent career move, but Jesus Escalera wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I look forward to going to work everyday.”

Escalera, who is a native of Puerto Rico, moved to Lynn with his family when he was 3-years-old. He graduated from Lynn English High School in 1994 and entered the business world.

“The money on Wall Street was good,” he said. “It was a lot more than what I make now but I wanted to do something more meaningful. I want to work with kids and act as a mentor.”

Escalera and his wife Maria have a 3-year-old daughter named Amalia and they are expecting another child in September.

“Working on Wall Street didn’t leave me enough time for my family,” he said. “As a Latino, family is very important. I wanted more time to spend with my family. I always had family around and the family bonds are strong. “

Escalera, who has been working as a childcare worker at the YMCA since September, said too many children don’t have the extended and supportive family he had to nurture and guide him through childhood.

“I want to be a mentor,” he said. “I want to be there for the kids. I want them to be able to talk to me and come to me if they have a problem.”

Escalera got his first taste of working with children when he was in high school and worked at a summer camp. He now works with kids ranging in age from 7 to 17-years-old and every day holds something different.

One day, he’s supervising boisterous children in the YMCA swimming pool and other days he’s in a classroom patiently assisting children with their homework. On other days he can be found in a room set aside for dramatic play where he encourages children to reach for the stars and follow their dream. Some afternoons, Escalera assists in the arts and crafts room where he encourages children to exercise their imagination and take pride in their artwork.

But no matter what the activity, Escalera said it’s the little things that make a difference in the life of a child.

“I like to talk to kids about their day,” he said. “If they got good grades I like to reward them for it. A lot of kids don’t get that at home.”

He admits working with children can be a challenge, especially children with behavioral problems or those from dysfunctional homes, but said he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Every child has good qualities,” he said. “I try to find those qualities and encourage them. They’re all good kids.”

When he’s not at home with his family, working at the YMCA or attending North Shore Community College where he is working on a liberal arts degree, Escalera can frequently be found at Lynn English High School where he is an assistant basketball coach.

“I believe in keeping involved in the community,” he said. “There are a lot of kids out there that need guidance and someone to be their mentor.”

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