United Way of St. Joseph County was awarded a $150,000 grant to create more child care availability and early learning opportunities in the area.
The grant comes from Early Learning Indiana. It’s meant to help create up to 175 new child care openings in St. Joseph County.
United Way plans to use the grant to build the Southeast Neighborhood Center for children between six weeks and 6-years-old. They also hope to collaborate with a local organization to open a second childcare center.
Laura Jensen is the president and CEO of United Way SJC. She said the location chosen for the Southeast Neighborhood Center is in an identified “child care desert.”
“Over 250 children under the age of five are in need of child care but the capacity is only 44. So we know just within that very small neighborhood there is a significant need.”
Jensen said the shortage of childcare and early learning programs is especially devastating to households where all parents are working.
“It is a very urgent issue that we’re seeing but unfortunately it’s not one that is only unique to St. Joe County.”
They plan to break ground on the Southeast Neighborhood Center this fall and open the following year.
Contact Annacaroline at acaruso@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @AnnacarolineC16
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