CARING COMMUNITY UNITY O ASPEN CENTERS Respect Responsibility-Trust-Caring-Family From Executive Director, Ted Borden A Rainbow is a Promise. It's associated "pot of gold" is the reward of a hard-earned pursuit. In 2018, Community of Caring initiated a child care task force. The need could only be addressed through a community mobilization effort. A group of diverse stakeholders examined feasibility, strategic rationale, internal and external need assessments, facility options and financial models. We explored and planned operating approaches, governance mechanisms, programming, licensing, and future sustainability. Now, here we are seven years later! Stakeholders have become a team galvanized by the critical need for childcare in our community. Currently, the Cripple Creek-Victor School's Head Start/Early Head Start is Southern Teller County's only licensed childcare. It operates 32 hours per week, 40 weeks per year with restrictive income guidelines. The needs of our community's children, parents and employers has overwhelmed the present childcare reality. Now is the time for "A Place For Kids," a 9964 square foot facility located on Community of Caring's Bennett Avenue property adjacent to our AMC West facility. It will accommodate 66 children, 16 infants/toddlers, 20 preschoolers and 30 school-aged children. A future expansion to accommodate an additional 40 children is achievable in the present design plans. "A Place For Kids" total cost is 3.4 Million. We have acquired 1.2 Million from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood grant and match. We have also secured 1 Million from DOLA's Energy and mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF). We will be breaking ground in June of 2025! We need to have all funds for con-struction secured before that time. To get there we have launched an aggressive Capital Campaign- A Million $ Match in a Month!!! We need your help. You are our "pot of gold!" you have supported us for 25 years in building a healthy community. "A Place for Kids" is a continuum of care for our future. We are humbled and grateful for the support from this community. Please know whether your donation is one dollar or one thousand dollars, it will go to a project that will be a critical benefit to our families and to the growth and prosperity of all of Southern Teller County. Thank You. Be Well. Peace. Our rainbow blessing to you is tenfold. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all!! To Donate to "A Place for Kids": Scan the QR Code which will take you straight to our Go Lively Donation Page Text PLACE4KIDS to 44-321 Or visit our website at cocamc.org Or contact the Fundraising and Development Office at 719.912.5013 CARING COMMUNITY UNITY O ASPEN CENTERS Respect Responsibility - Trust - Caring - Family From Executive Director , Ted Borden A Rainbow is a Promise . It's associated " pot of gold " is the reward of a hard - earned pursuit . In 2018 , Community of Caring initiated a child care task force . The need could only be addressed through a community mobilization effort . A group of diverse stakeholders examined feasibility , strategic rationale , internal and external need assessments , facility options and financial models . We explored and planned operating approaches , governance mechanisms , programming , licensing , and future sustainability . Now , here we are seven years later ! Stakeholders have become a team galvanized by the critical need for childcare in our community . Currently , the Cripple Creek - Victor School's Head Start / Early Head Start is Southern Teller County's only licensed childcare . It operates 32 hours per week , 40 weeks per year with restrictive income guidelines . The needs of our community's children , parents and employers has overwhelmed the present childcare reality . Now is the time for " A Place For Kids , " a 9964 square foot facility located on Community of Caring's Bennett Avenue property adjacent to our AMC West facility . It will accommodate 66 children , 16 infants / toddlers , 20 preschoolers and 30 school - aged children . A future expansion to accommodate an additional 40 children is achievable in the present design plans . " A Place For Kids " total cost is 3.4 Million . We have acquired 1.2 Million from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood grant and match . We have also secured 1 Million from DOLA's Energy and mineral Impact Assistance Fund ( EIAF ) . We will be breaking ground in June of 2025 ! We need to have all funds for con - struction secured before that time . To get there we have launched an aggressive Capital Campaign- A Million $ Match in a Month !!! We need your help . You are our " pot of gold ! " you have supported us for 25 years in building a healthy community . " A Place for Kids " is a continuum of care for our future . We are humbled and grateful for the support from this community . Please know whether your donation is one dollar or one thousand dollars , it will go to a project that will be a critical benefit to our families and to the growth and prosperity of all of Southern Teller County . Thank You . Be Well . Peace . Our rainbow blessing to you is tenfold . God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all !! To Donate to " A Place for Kids " : Scan the QR Code which will take you straight to our Go Lively Donation Page Text PLACE4KIDS to 44-321 Or visit our website at cocamc.org Or contact the Fundraising and Development Office at 719.912.5013