Caring Communities establishes a lifeline for working parents

Dana Brown-Ellis, executive director of Caring Communities, a not-for-profit which provides services to residents in Mississippi and Scott counties, talks with Hudson Byrd about their new Early Learning Center. A gift from the estate of James L. Byrd has enabled Caring Communities to renovate a building to provide childcare for up to 50 children.

Jill Bock/ Standard Democrart

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — The young mother was striving to create a better life for her family. She had gained needed skills, found a job, but one barrier remained – childcare.

Dana Brown-Ellis, executive director of Caring Communities, is all too familiar with that nearly insurmountable barrier faced by families in Mississippi County.

“If you have kids you know there is a need for daycare, not just in Mississippi County but in all the counties throughout Missouri,” she said. “But we have massive need here. We are considered a childcare desert.”

A plaque recognizing the donation by the estate of James L. Byrd III to Caring Communities for its Early Learning Center will hang in the building upon completion. Pictured from left are Lou Kimble, Caring Communities board member; Monica Warren, daycare director; Bridget Allen, community development coordinator for Caring Communities; Hudson Byrd; and Dana Brown-Ellis, execcutive director of Caring Communities.

Jill Bock/ Standard Democrat

However, Caring Communities, a not-for-profit social services program, is about to create a small oasis in that desert. A large building at the corner of Washington and Main streets is being renovated into the Caring Communities Early Learning Center.

According to Brown-Ellis, the Caring Communities board has long been aware of the need for childcare locally. It was part of their strategic plan they developed 10 years ago.

Despite years of good stewardship of their funds and a small grant from the state for a childcare center, Caring Communities was struggling to find a way to make it happen.

It was a boost from the estate of the late James L. Byrd III that made it possible.

“Without that money we would never have been able to open the doors. It couldn’t have been a bigger blessing,” Brown-Ellis said.

When complete the center will provide care for children up to age 12. It is licensed for up to 50 children.

Standing in the center of the building, Brown-Ellis along with other members of the Caring Communities staff and board explained to Hudson Byrd, a cousin of the late James Byrd III, the center’s layout.

One room is set aside to care for newborns up to those age 2. There is a director’s office, age-appropriate bathrooms and a commercial kitchen. An outdoor playground is also planned.

Gesturing around a large room, Brown-Ellis said this would be the area for most of the children. Low-level shelving will create separate areas for those in their care.

“In most daycares you see walls. Our idea at Caring Communities was that we don’t want to put up walls where things couldn’t be seen,” she explained. “We want everyone to be comfortable and have eyes on every child.”

Parents will also be able to have eyes on their child. When completed the daycare will have cameras on the main floor that parents can access via the Internet to check on their child throughout the day.

While the daycare will be open to all families in Mississippi County, Caring Communities will reserve spaces for children of the parents taking part in their Workforce Program. This will enable the workforce graduates to have daycare as they begin their new jobs.

Brown-Ellis said construction delays slowed the opening of the Center. Once an exact opening date is determined she said they will begin enrolling children.

The new center is anxiously anticipated by county residents. In addition to parents calling to ask about enrollment, local teachers have offered to assist in setting up curriculum to facilitate preschoolers transitioning into the school system.

Bridget Allen, community development coordinator, said the community support and interest is typical of Mississippi County.

“You hear it takes a village to raise a child,” she said. “In Mississippi County if there is a need, everybody jumps on board. Mississippi County is a great village.”

As the completion of the Early Learning Center nears, Brown-Ellis is looking forward to the next step for Caring Communities. They have purchased the area around the Learning Center and eventually plan to develop the entire block.

“We are actually in the process of finalizing this,” Brown-Ellis said. “We will have a large community center next door that will be an economic hub for Mississippi County.”

The building will have offices that small businesses can utilize and space where they will continue to offer programs with their many partners, including the University of Missouri Extension Service, Lincoln University, the Department of Social Services, Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, local farmers and others.

Hudson Byrd recalled growing up just outside of East Prairie and his family’s connections to the community. He added he was pleased to see how his cousin’s estate has made a difference.

“In so many cases it has been this is where we are and this is where we need to be. Through Jim’s estate we are able to give these communities and organizations the ability to close that gap,” he said. “That is pretty unique.”

- - -

For more information about Caring Communities and its programs go to mccaring.org.