Vincennes YMCA receives capital project grant from Indiana United Ways in partnership with United Way of Knox County

The center will be operated by the Vincennes Community School Corporation and will serve ages 3 to 5.

Vincennes YMCA is excited to announce that it has received a $321,834 capital project matching grant from Indiana United Ways with cooperation from United Way of Knox County in support of a collaborative community project to update 7,200 square feet of childcare space in its building located at 2010 College Avenue and create a high quality, licensed early education center serving the families of Vincennes.

This infusion of funding enabled Vincennes YMCA and its community partners to complete fundraising for the Little Alice Learning Center and move into the final stages of project implementation.

Recognizing a lack of quality childcare and early learning options in Vincennes, United Way of Knox County convened community partners across the county to address this critical driver of economic development and financial stability. “Recent conversations with local businesses made it clear that employees are struggling to find childcare and that this is resulting in employee absenteeism and reduced productivity,” said Mark Hill, Executive Director of United Way of Knox County. “The Vincennes YMCA, Vincennes Community School Corporation, Building Blocks, and United Way of Knox County are marrying our strengths to change that and bring a Paths to QUALITY^TM Level 3 early education center to life. Together, we will ensure that 106 preschool children and their families will finally have a high-quality, affordable option for early learning that also enables parents to work and businesses to thrive.”

The new early learning center will be located in the YMCA building located at 2010 College Avenue.The center will be operated by the Vincennes Community School Corporation and will serve ages 3 to 5. Building Blocks, a community organization dedicated to enhancing availability and affordability of childcare throughout Southern Indiana is consulting on the project. Funding for this grant was made possible due to United Way of Knox County’s membership in Indiana United Ways, the state membership association for 41 of the 43 United Ways serving Indiana counties.

“We recommended this project to the Indiana United Ways Statewide Capital Projects Committee because of the dire need for quality early childhood education in our area,” said Hill. “This grant from Indiana United Ways enabled the project team to close a critical gap in funding so that the project could be ready to serve children and families this fall.”

“Our community is in dire need of additional pre-Koptions. Once key developmental points are passed as a child ages, there is no going back and catching up, so it’s crucial that children have access to high-quality learning experiences at an earlier age. The community groups involved in bringing the Little Alice Learning Center to life share a common purpose as educators and nurturers to provide these experiences and ensure that children are best prepared for kindergarten and are passing school performance testing in grade school,” said Dennis Kordes, CEO of Vincennes YMCA.

“We are incredibly grateful to United Way of Knox County. Their endorsement for this grant of nearly $322,000 has enabled our community to draw additional funds into the project and see it through. This support, the facility supports of the Vincennes YMCA, and other supports from across our community– which made it possible to receive this matching grant - have enabled us to provide enhanced opportunities and resources to our community’s youngest learners and their parents. Together, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of all children and families in Vincennes,” added Greg Parsley, Superintendent of Vincennes Community School Corporation.

Final renovation activities and finishing touches are currently in progress for the Little Alice Learning Center. Classes are anticipated to begin in August 2024.

To learn more or complete an application for the Fall preschool program, go to The Little Alice Learning Center Facebook page at http://bit.ly/littlealicelearningcenteror visit the Vincennes Community School Corporation administration office at 1712 South Quail Run Road, Vincennes.