The Duneland Family YMCA celebrated the grand re-opening of The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning on July 15 along with the dedication of the center’s NBA legacy basketball courts.
The day’s events began with community members coming together to see the newly renovated facility. Highlights include a first-class, commercial nutrition center, a newly-implemented program curriculum, two large playgrounds set on five acres of expansive outdoor space, and new basketball courts.
“You can't find a better place to have quality education and quality daycare,” said Duneland Family YMCA board member, Dr. Michael Uzelac. “The beginning years of a child's life are everything when it comes to their education and the trajectory of their life.”
This message hits close to home for Dr. Uzelac because his two grandchildren went through the program at The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning.
Prior to COVID-19, the YMCA applied for and was awarded a grant from the NBA Legacy Foundation. The grant gave them the opportunity to install basketball courts for the kids.
Quinn Buckner, former professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers, was on site to dedicate the courts. He emphasized the importance of quality childcare and education as a former Head Start, or early childhood education program, student himself.
“I started out in Head Start about this age,” said Buckner. “This is a very important time in young people's lives.”
Jenn Brown, CAPTRUST marketing consultant, praised The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning for the impact it has had on her own children.
“We started my kids in both the five and the three year old rooms. My littlest one is not very good with transitions, and the teachers here were absolutely amazing. It took him a good month to get used to it, and they were right there with him the whole time,” said Brown. “So the teachers are really who make this place. It's a great facility. It's got everything you need.”
The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning exhibits its dedication to serving the community.
Dave Kasarda, CEO and Executive Director of the Duneland Family YMCA, explains how the company works with Chesterton residents.
“We have spots for all children, regardless of their ability to pay for the program,” said Kasarda. “Our goal is to make sure that every child in the Duneland community is prepared for kindergarten. This center will allow that to happen.”
The Duneland Family YMCA understands that consistent, reliable, and affordable childcare is the building block to a successful community.
“Childcare is very expensive in America. For many people, it's not an option because they can't afford it,” said Kasarda. “At our center, people come to get financial assistance. They're brought into the program and treated just like everybody else. We're very proud of that.”
Service to the community is at the heart of The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning, stemming from the generous donations from Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti that keep the programs running.
Kasarda thanks the Forchetti family for all they’ve donated to the Duneland community.
“Without them, this legacy never would have happened. There are children in our center that prepared for kindergarten without the Forchetti’s. Their moms and dads wouldn't be able to go to work because they wouldn’t be able to afford childcare,” said Kasarda.
“The NBA courts here wouldn’t exist without the Forchetti family, and I can't state that enough,” said Kasarda. “They have changed the culture of the Duneland communities forever because of this center.”
To see more of what The Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning has to offer, visit www.dunelandymca.org/forchetti.