“This is our dream. What we get back is a blessing.” So say a grateful Joy and Crystal Cyprian, who share more than just being sisters: Both exhibit an enviable entrepreneurial spirit. Looking to scale across the Los Angeles area, they complemented two existing Baldwin Park early care and education centers with a brand-new space in a former church in La Puente, an underserved eastside community that is 80% Latino.
To make their dream of creating a third Joy’s Children’s Learning Center a reality, the pair leveraged $199.5K in capital via the California Infrastructure Grant Program (IGP), for which the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) serves as facilities fund manager. Additionally, LIIF offers on-the-ground staff to deliver culturally responsive technical assistance and capacity building support to child care providers such as Joy and Crystal.
Now with four classrooms built out, the sisters have a high-quality space in what has become a community linchpin. The guidance and support from LIIF led to improvements running the gamut from a new roof and an upgraded kitchen to climate-friendly electrical and HVAC systems. There will be 34 children served, with many families receiving vouchers for the six infant and 28 Pre-K spaces.
The success story of Joy and Crystal is just one of many child care businesses supported to date due to LIIF’s work supporting the child care sector across California.
“This is all for the kids. We believe in sowing and reaping … it is all from our hearts,” conclude Joy and Crystal, now with long-term sustainability of their small business.

This is all for the kids.
Joy’s Children’s Learning Center Co-Owners and Sisters Joy and Crystal Cyprian