BLUEFIELD, W.Va. -Nikkia Dickerson, is the owner of a local daycare center who goes above a beyond to provide childcare services to her community.
One parent has been bringing her children to Auntie Kia’s Daycare for over two years. Dickerson always helps and plans to work with her busy schedule and says each day the children can’t wait to go back.
“As a parent, I mean, if you choose to bring your kids here, you will have a sense of relief and it brought me a lot of relief, especially if you’re coming from a new state and not have family here. It’s definitely the place to bring your kids,” said Kary Odenez, Parent of Children at Auntie Kia’s Daycare.
Nicole Flack nominated Dickerson because of the determination and passion she has for her community and her family.
“She just welcomes everybody. You know, she is that type of person that is loving, kind, and supportive to other people. She takes, you know, out of her own pocket to do for people outside of her facility, inside the facility. You know, she just sees everybody as her family. She just loves everybody,” said Nicole Flack, WVVA Hometown Hero Nominator.
Dickerson says from a young age she was inspired to be someone little kids could look up like she had.
“When I was younger, every Tuesday we had a lady come in. She had a van. She would come and pick up all the kids in the community. Her name was Shirley Merweather, and we all called her Aunt Shirley. She would take us to her church, and she would teach us Bible verses and she would give us candy and snacks. A hot meal some days when she could afford it, and she just took up with us and I looked up to her. So, by me looking up to her as a child, I felt like I could be a mentor for other kids and do what she does for me because as a young child, as going into my adulthood, she was an inspiration to me,” said Nikkia Dickerson, WVVA Hometown Hero.
She says she feels like this is her purpose in the world.
“I actually feel like my purpose on this earth is to provide care for people. I’m a registered nurse. I’ve always cared for people and children and the elderly the most. I always wanted to have my own daycare center, I was blessed enough to achieve my goal, and now I have it and I want to be able to provide a safe place for all the children, and let their parents have comfort knowing that they in a safe place,” continued Dickerson.
With the help from her daughter, they work to create a safe environment for the children to be in but also a family.
“I have a bond with all my kids here. This is more so like we’re family. It’s not just a daycare center. I named my center Auntie Kia’s Daycare because I consider everyone that comes in, even my staff, we will be family,” said Dickerson.
When asked about the bond she has with the kids she said this.
“Like I said, we’re like family. They all call me Auntie Kia. When they get off the bus, they just run to me, they give me a hug, and it’s just all love, and it’s very appreciated. I appreciate them, they appreciate me. It’s just, we’re just a big happy family,” said Dickerson.
It is her love and found purpose with children that makes Nikkia Dickerson a WVVA Hometown Hero.
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