The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly negatively affected many businesses and organizations, many were even forced to close their doors. At the peak of the pandemic, our Childcare and Learning Center not only remained open but completely restructured to fit the sudden increased need for Childcare for front-line workers. This meant increasing staff to limit class sizes, increased cleaning and sanitization, and creativity in social distancing children aged 5 and under. We are pleased to announce that the La Porte County Family YMCA Childcare and Learning Center was selected as a recipient of the Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization grant in the amount of $264.177.00. This grant was administered by Indiana's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and made possible by funding Indiana received from the 2021 American Rescue Act Plan. This grant is designed to provide short-term funding to early care, education, and out-of-school time programs that have faced increased costs and challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing organizations to stabilize their operations and build capacity for the future. Tiffany Ryans, Youth Development Director, says that's a challenge she's ready to accept.
"We currently serve over 265 preschool-aged children at 4 different sites across La Porte County, and we continue to grow! Being a Childcare Director has always been my dream, and I have so many goals for the future of our Center, and this grant will help us reach them. I really want to eliminate the stereotype that Childcare Centers are just glorified babysitters. We take immense pride in being Early Childhood Educators. Our facility is the only fully licensed, Level 4 Paths to Quality Center in La Porte County. We are continuously striving to improve the quality of care and education that our children receive here."
For more information on our Childcare and Learning Center, please contact our Center at 219-326-7646.