The Vincennes YMCA has been awarded a $321,834 capital project matching grant from Indiana United Ways, in partnership with United Way of Knox County. This grant will support a major community project to renovate 7,200 square feet of childcare space at the YMCA building on 2010 College Avenue. The goal is to establish a high-quality, licensed early education center, the Little Alice Learning Center, which will serve families in Vincennes.
Recognizing a critical shortage of quality childcare and early learning options, the United Way of Knox County spearheaded this initiative, collaborating with various community partners. Mark Hill, Executive Director of United Way of Knox County, highlighted the impact of the childcare shortage on local businesses, noting that employee absenteeism and reduced productivity are direct results.
The new early learning center will be operated by the Vincennes Community School Corporation and cater to children ages 3 to 5. The organization Building Blocks, dedicated to improving childcare availability and affordability in Southern Indiana, is consulting on the project.
Funding for this grant was made possible through United Way of Knox County’s membership in Indiana United Ways, which supports 41 of the 43 United Ways in Indiana. Hill emphasized the urgent need for quality early childhood education in the area and praised the grant for bridging a crucial funding gap, ensuring the project’s readiness to serve children and families by this fall.
Dennis Kordes, CEO of Vincennes YMCA, and Greg Parsley, Superintendent of Vincennes Community School Corporation, expressed gratitude for the grant, emphasizing the importance of providing high-quality early learning experiences to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.
Final renovations for the Little Alice Learning Center are underway, with classes set to begin in August 2024. For more information or to apply for the fall preschool program, visit the Little Alice Learning Center Facebook page or the Vincennes Community School Corporation administration office.