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Mont Marie
Child Care Center Closes
Citing the decision as "difficult", the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield
closed the Mont Marie Child Care Center in
Holyoke, on August 31, 2011.
Over its
36-year history, the Center provided loving day care
to thousands of young children from Holyoke and
surrounding communities.
However,
following a review of enrollment projections, the local
economic climate and financial data including estimated
costs of building maintenance and repairs, the Center’s
Board of Directors determined that continued operation
of the facility was not viable.
Sister Mary
Ferguson, Board President, says, “It is with a great
deal of regret that we announce this closing. The Child
Care Center has carried out the mission of the
Congregation, providing a safe, supportive and happy
environment for children to grow and develop, and
encouraging a unique atmosphere of non-violence and
respect for others.”
The Sisters of
St. Joseph of Springfield opened the Child Care Center
in 1975. In 1991, the Center became separately
incorporated, though it remained a ministry of the
Congregation. Current enrollment is approximately 80
youngsters, aged 18 months to 5 years, with a staff of
18.
The future use
of the building, located at 30 Lower Westfield Road on
the Mont Marie campus, has not been determined.
For more information contact:
Eleanor Harrington
SSJ, Director
Mont Marie Child Care Center, Inc.
30 Lower Westfield Road
Holyoke, MA 01040-2739
Tel: (413) 536-2964
or 536-0853,
ext. 290
Fax: (413) 536-5557
Email:
elly@ssjspringfield.com
Special
Thanks to Our Supporters
The Mont Marie
Child Care Center is extremely grateful for the
generous support of the following charitable
foundations and corporations. These
contributions helped provide quality pre-school programs
to the children of Holyoke and surrounding
communities.
Ronald
McDonald House Charities
The Mont Marie Child Care Center received new coat
lockers and storage units thanks to the generosity of
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and
Western Massachusetts. The organization awarded a grant in the amount of
$2,280 so that the center may purchase the new
classroom equipment.
Laura
Phillips Ward, President of RMHC of Connecticut and
Western Massachusetts, said, “We were truly impressed
with the work being done at the Mont Marie Child Care
Center and unanimously decided to award the requested
funds for this important project.”
The Stop
and Shop Supermarket Company donated $1,750 to
the Tuition Assistance Program at the Mont Marie Child
Care Center. In making the donation, Linda Conroy,
Customer Service Manager at the Holyoke store, said, "We
applaud all the fine work done by your organization, and
extend our best wishes for much continued success."
The Susan
A. and Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation
gave a $1,000 grant to the Mont Marie Child Care Center
for general operating support. This generous gift
helped the center build upon existing strengths and
achieve goals in early childhood education.
According to Lynn
Korza, grant writer, "We are extremely grateful to
these charitable organizations -- their commitment to
Mont Marie Child Care Center was
extremely important during these tough economic times
when so many of our families were in dire need of
financial assistance."
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