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Plans are also underway to establish an early learning center for infants to preschoolers, emphasizing the significance of a good early childhood education.
“As we started to talk to people in the community and other stakeholders, [there’s a need] for more access to early learning,” Jennings said. “An early learning center will be part of it, it’ll be equipped to provide early learning services from 80 to 100 infants to preschool children.”
Many individuals face challenges in accessing resources, often due to transportation barriers.
Jennings envisions the center as a solution to overcome these barriers, as it’s situated closer to homes and will provide a spectrum of resources — from economic progress to physical and mental health.
“We know there’s a lot of after-school providers that have programs that would be interesting and good for students, but sometimes there are barriers to students in certain communities or in this community. Accessing those [resources] requires a bus ride across town, so the other idea of supporting the community is to bring those programs to this facility,” she said.
“Currently we provide some workforce development support for families and we provide financial literacy coaching for families. So being able to expand that to more members of the community are at the heart of this as well,” she added.
The Youth Development Center will feature an early learning center, a fitness room, a gymnasium, a black box theater, and connected learning spaces dedicated to career, civic and life skills. Outdoor recreation areas and a basketball court will further enhance the center’s offerings.
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