Celebrate the Groundbreaking in Cherryland
Every child deserves a head start. This philosophy is the driving force behind so much of our work at the Y. I am so pleased to announce that yesterday, YMCA of the East Bay broke ground on a new Early Learning Center in Hayward's Cherryland neighborhood.
This is no small undertaking. We are converting an underutilized 10,000 square foot site and transforming it into a vibrant early learning center for low-income children and families who need and deserve access to high quality child care and family support resources.
Why Cherryland?
The Cherryland neighborhood in Hayward has one of the highest needs for early learning sites, yet it's among the least served neighborhoods per capita in Alameda County. Our Y saw an opportunity to provide a community-centric solution for working families that addresses this gap.
The impact of this project will be deeply felt. We'll have the capacity to provide year-round, full-day care and education for up to 100 kids from birth to 5 years old. The curriculum and programs will be tailored to address the distinct gaps in this community. Children with special needs will always have a place here and non-English speaking children will find the guidance and support to thrive.
But our work isn't just about the kids, it's about engaging with the family as a whole. Our goal is to connect parents to as many valuable community resources as we can. Which is why parenting support, health screenings, and trauma informed care will all be accessible for families at the Cherryland Early Learning Center.
We are so grateful to everyone who made the Cherryland Early Learning Center project a reality! Huge thanks to our Early Childhood Impact team, our Board of Directors, Health and Human Services and the State of California, Wells Fargo Bank, and Claudia Albano, Deputy Chief of Staff for Alameda County Supervisor Nathan Miley, District 4. The center was designed by David Betta and Deacon is the general contractor.