Indy Organizations to Open Early Learning Center
(photo courtesy of Early Learning Indiana)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowEarly Learning Indiana and Christel House Indianapolis are partnering to create a new early childhood education center. The organizations say Day Early Learning at Manual, which is located on the south side of Indianapolis, will require $2 million in renovations to convert office space at Manual into rooms for infants, toddlers and pre-K students.
United Way of Central Indiana has committed to making a $1 million match for the project. The organizations say they are $38,000 away from the goal funding need to secure the match.
“To receive the match, we must raise $1 million by Aug. 30, 2021,” said Early Learning Indiana President Maureen Weber. “It’s a big goal, but we are confident the community will support this important need. We’re seeking private support to secure the remaining $38,000 needed to meet the match requirement.”
Weber says a new center at Manual will add 80 new high-quality child care seats for infants to 5-year-olds.
“Quality early childhood education makes a positive impact on everything from children’s future learning to family self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty,” according to Dr. Sarah Weimer, executive director of Christel House Indianapolis. “We’re turning Manual into a community-serving campus. The new Day Early Learning center offers a crucial opportunity to ensure Indianapolis’ most vulnerable residents get a great start in life.”
The organizations say the project builds on the $5.5 million Christel House has invested into turning the previous Emmerich Manual High School facility into a community-serving campus for traditional K-12 students and adults seeking a high school diploma.