Highland Park needs Infant Care
Donation protected
Two years ago my business partner, Sara and I had a dream to open an Infant/Toddler Center. This was not a pipe dream as we run a successful, quality preschool so we knew what it would take to make it a reality. Infant Care is incredibly needed in our community! Crazy as it seems not a single program exists in our city or neighboring communities. We budgeted a realistic amount and borrowed $200,000!
It took us over a year to find a location. We knew that there were many hurdles to cross but we were ready! We did all of the due diligence, began the process and put the word out. Before we knew it, we had over 200 people on a wait list. We had 3 months before we would have to begin paying rent so we needed to work quickly to get our permit from the city so that we could submit our application to licensing and open. 11 months later, we are facing yet another delay and set back and are afraid we may not be able to weather this one.
Our initial goal from the very first day was to provide a safe, loving environment where babies can thrive and parents can go to work feeling confident and comfortable that their baby is in loving arms. That goal has not changed. The Commission on Women, Children and their Families recently released a report indicating that this is one of the largest hurdles facing women in the workforce today.
With extensive delays from the City (months and months, even when we paid for expedited services) an evacuation ramp that took on a life of its own (wait till you see this expensive monster and remember, it’s for infants!) and just when we thought we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, we have been hit with yet another unforeseen situation. We now have an additional $40,000 cost and 3-4 month delay from DWP in regards to our sprinkler system pipes. No one saw this coming, not our architect, not our contractor, and especially not us!
As we are rapidly reaching our financial limitations we have several costly, unfinished tasks. I can assure you we are continuing to search for every option to finally finish this worthy project.
So here we are hat in hand, honestly not knowing how to get to the next step to keep the doors open, to get to the licensing process to get the center doors to actually open!
Your community needs help. Babies need your help. We need your help!
Thanks for your generosity and for helping to spread the word! -Michele
It took us over a year to find a location. We knew that there were many hurdles to cross but we were ready! We did all of the due diligence, began the process and put the word out. Before we knew it, we had over 200 people on a wait list. We had 3 months before we would have to begin paying rent so we needed to work quickly to get our permit from the city so that we could submit our application to licensing and open. 11 months later, we are facing yet another delay and set back and are afraid we may not be able to weather this one.
Our initial goal from the very first day was to provide a safe, loving environment where babies can thrive and parents can go to work feeling confident and comfortable that their baby is in loving arms. That goal has not changed. The Commission on Women, Children and their Families recently released a report indicating that this is one of the largest hurdles facing women in the workforce today.
With extensive delays from the City (months and months, even when we paid for expedited services) an evacuation ramp that took on a life of its own (wait till you see this expensive monster and remember, it’s for infants!) and just when we thought we could see the light at the end of the tunnel, we have been hit with yet another unforeseen situation. We now have an additional $40,000 cost and 3-4 month delay from DWP in regards to our sprinkler system pipes. No one saw this coming, not our architect, not our contractor, and especially not us!
As we are rapidly reaching our financial limitations we have several costly, unfinished tasks. I can assure you we are continuing to search for every option to finally finish this worthy project.
So here we are hat in hand, honestly not knowing how to get to the next step to keep the doors open, to get to the licensing process to get the center doors to actually open!
Your community needs help. Babies need your help. We need your help!
Thanks for your generosity and for helping to spread the word! -Michele
Organizer
Celebration Kids
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA