On Wednesday, November 1, community supporters, nonprofit leaders, and those passionate about creating new, innovative ways to address childcare and out-of-school care needs celebrated and supported the first-of-its-kind Loveland Youth Campus. The campus model will provide child care, out-of-school care, and youth development services for children ages 0-18 with plans to offer mental health services, bilingual resource navigation, culturally-attuned services, and more based on neighborhood input.
Fundraising for the Loveland Youth Campus
Renovations began in August at the site, which was formerly occupied by New Vision Charter School. The Loveland Youth Campus is a collaboration between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County (BGCLC) and Teaching Tree Early Childhood Learning Center with support from United Way of Larimer County and Early Childhood Council of Larimer County. UWLC is leading the fundraising efforts for the completion of the $2M retrofit to meet current child care licensing requirements and has raised nearly $500,000 to date. All monetary donations to the Loveland Youth Campus qualify for the Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCCCTC). In addition to the applicable Federal and State income tax deductions, the credit provides a 50% state tax credit. Learn more in this downloadable.
Celebrating Innovation
The November 1st event was to celebrate the progress to date and rally support for the campus. More than 60 guests enjoyed the sunset on the rooftop at Deskchair Workspace in Loveland. Joy Sullivan, President and CEO of UWLC; Anne Lance, Executive Director of Teaching Tree Early Learning Centers; Allison Hines, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County; and Christina Taylor, CEO of Early Childhood Council of Larimer County all shared insights about the Loveland Youth Campus and their dynamic collaboration, much like a perfectly in-sync quartet.
“Being innovative is essential to solving our childcare crisis,” Sullivan said. “With the Loveland Youth Campus, we aim to create the space and place for belonging from the time a child is born until they turn 18.”
Larimer County currently has a deficit of more than 6,000 infant and toddler childcare slots, forcing many parents out of the workforce. The Loveland Youth Campus will provide the opportunity to serve 350 youth per day, quadruple Teaching Tree’s current available Loveland child care spots for infants and toddlers, and impact thousands of Loveland families.
While this is the first campus of its kind in Larimer County, it’s not the first time UWLC and Teaching Tree have teamed up to create more childcare opportunities. In 2019, they collaborated to more than double Teaching Tree’s capacity in Fort Collins, expanding their north county center from 100 to over 200 child care slots.
How You Can Support the Loveland Youth Campus
UWLC has created a number of customizable sponsorship packages, all of which can be explored at LovelandYouthCampus.org or by contacting Christina Cooper at 970.988.2176 or ccooper@uwaylc.org.
Tours of the campus are being held on Thursdays at 11 am. Interested people can request to join a tour by contacting Christina Cooper at 970.988.2176 or ccooper@uwaylc.org.
And follow along on our social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook) for progress pictures, updates, and future opportunities to enroll your child at the site or volunteer.
