Building a Brighter Future for Children and Families
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Look and you will find great things happening in our community – especially in the realm of hurricane recovery. Last week, our staff were able to witness just that in the form of not just one bright shining star, but the promise of many. That is little children, future stars being cared for and growing in their dreams and aspirations. The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Stars Academy was exciting and the collaboration with the Gulf Coast Partnership, American Red Cross and Community Foundation of Sarasota County is to be commended as a beautiful gift to our community and to the Parkside area of Port Charlotte.
Angela Hogan, CEO, Gulf Coast Partnership shared, “The Gulf Coast Partnership is excited to announce the opening of Stars Academy. Stars will provide high quality and affordable childcare and early child education in an inclusive and welcoming environment. The school will serve families with children ages six weeks to five years old. Our goal is to replace some of the services lost through COVID-19 and Hurricane Ian, allowing families to rebuild their lives and gain self-sufficiency.”
Hurricane Ian impacted our ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) families creating challenges that extended far beyond the immediate aftermath of the storm. Families were not only displaced, leading to job losses and other financial hardships, but they also faced one of the greatest setbacks: the loss of childcare.
It has been determined that approximately eight childcare facilities were damaged or closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. This closure left a significant number of families without the necessary childcare options. Without access to reliable childcare, many parents found themselves unable to work, further exacerbating the financial and emotional stress within the households. According to The Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland, currently, 144 children are eligible but not enrolled, 69 of those kids are from birth to 5 years.
The impact of Hurricane Ian on childcare availability has highlighted the critical need for support systems lifting our families up. ALICE families - those working multiple jobs and struggling to make ends meet - need more than just immediate relief. Urgently needed are long-term solutions that ensure access to affordable and reliable childcare, enabling parents to not only return to work but rebuild their lives.
It has been almost two years since Hurricane Ian, and the light at the end of the recovery tunnel is getting brighter. Charlotte County has seen great strides in childcare recovery, with two new childcare facilities opening to serve the community this year. These new facilities are a beacon of hope, providing much-needed support to families and helping to restore a sense of normalcy.
In addition to Stars Academy, Chery Childcare Center is a family-owned and operated 24-hour childcare facility. Yes, you heard right! Chery Childcare saw a great need in our community and made it happen. They are open Monday 6 am to Saturday 6 am.
Efforts to restore and improve childcare services in the affected areas are essential for the recovery and resilience of our communities. By addressing the childcare crisis, we can help alleviate some of the burdens faced by ALICE families and support their journey toward financial stability and overall well-being.
Stars Academy is accepting pre-registration and holding a Diaper Drive. They are requesting infant-size diapers and baby wipes. Feel free to drop them off at the UWCC office. For more information, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/ChildcareRecovery
