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SKOWHEGAN – The campaign to raise money for the new Early Learning Center has reached $1.6 million has already been raised for the new Early Learning Center.
The center will be built as part of the new elementary school building being built near the Margaret Chase Smith School site. When built, it will be the first birth through grade five school in Maine.
The school is slated to open in the fall of 2025. The early childhood wing, operated by KVCAP in partnership with Maine School Administrative Unit 54, will offer child care and pre-k education for 160 students.
The center will add 15 jobs to the region. The Early Learning Center will not only be for instilling the importance of education to children at a young age, but will provide workforce development, addressing the poverty cycle in Somerset County.
“KVCAP has been providing services to families in the Skowhegan community for 57 years,” Suzanne Walsh, KVCAP CEO, said. “We are proud to be part of this new school, in partnership with MSAD 54, and to have the opportunity to support more children during their first five years of learning as well as to support parents and families as they advance their own education, workforce, and housing goals.”
“The success of any community is built on the success of its children and families,” said Sam Hight at an event to kick off the campaign for the Early Learning Center. “By focusing on ages zero to five–the most important ages in brain development–this initiative builds the foundation for learning.”
The Hight family donated $500,000 to the effort, and Hight is chairing the committee leading the fundraising effort. Also on the committee are Erin Merrill, Suzanne Walsh, Tracye Fortin, Gail Gibson, Chelsey Carrier, Rich St. Pierre, Michael Lambke and Jon Moody.
Donation pledges also include $500,000 from The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation, $250,000 from the Skowhegan Savings Foundation, $100,000 from Ware Butler, $50,000 from Don Skillings State Farm, and $50,000 from the Damon family.
