Sam Millen

By MICHELE MILLER HOUCK
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson-Cornelius Day Care Center is looking for eight Day Care Heroes as it tries to make up a big budget shortfall that could force it to close its doors. The effort seeks to raise $64,000 by Sept. 11 so it can continue paying its eight employees and continue providing care for the 27 children who rely on its services.

Supporters of the center hope to find local churches or civic groups willing to pledge $2,000 a month for the next four months to keep the doors open while the board restructures its  business model.

One of a series of articles on DavidsonNews.net focusing on nonprofits, needs, and people who are helping.

The campaign, led by Davidson resident John Venzon, Mayor John Woods and Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte, will target congregations, clubs and civic organizations that can combine their giving power to sponsor one of the eight staff members at $2,000 a month. Halftime Heroes also may sponsor a half salary at $1,000 a month.

Mayors Tarte and Woods say the center is a worthy cause, providing a safe, quality day care program. They hope to help avoid the negative economic impact that would result if 27 area employees lose their day care provider and eight day care employees lose their jobs.

Mr. Venzon was brought in as a volunteer comptroller because of his more than 20 years as a general manager in businesses, ranging from fortune 50 companies to start-ups.

“If your Rotary Club or religious fellowship can pool its resources to sponsor one employee for four months, then we can keep the doors open and provide a stable place for the kids and their families. The bridge funding that we are seeking will keep the long-time, dedicated employees working until such time as we can restructure to a viable business model,” said Mr. Venzon, a former IBM and Bank of America executive.

The 40-year-old day care center received an outpouring of support – 13 checks totaling more than $4,000 – after DavidsonNews.net reported its financial woes on Aug. 21.

But supporters say the need is greater.

Davidson College Presbyterian Church also fast tracked a scheduled donation of $3,750 to help keep the center afloat at the end of August. This small cash infusion has allowed the center to honor its current obligations – cover payroll checks written and held by employees, pay suppliers and vendors and keep the lights on.

“We have experienced a strong base of community support for this approach to our financial shortfall,” board chair and acting director Carol Higham said. “After meeting with the faith community and elected officials last week and considering a number of options, we determined that fund-raising was the best answer to the problem.”

Mr. Venzon and Ms. Higham have been working nonstop since the crisis came to a head in late August to get a handle on costs and existing revenue sources.

They cite a perfect storm -  reduced reimbursements from the state ($8,000/month), the economic downturn (24 of 27 families are in the bottom of three sliding-scale payment tiers, paying little or nothing), and a dearth of full pay children – as the reasons for the crisis. Board members say they’re committed to continuing the number-crunching throughout the fall to come up with a self-sustaining business model. They are communicating daily with employees to keep them up to date on the situation; some employees held on to paychecks in support of the center until they could be covered by incoming funds.

In addition to Ms. Higham, who is a UNCC professor, other board members include Eileen Keeley, Ann Todd, Craig Ewington, Lory Morrow, Amy Diamond, Bob Dortch, Anne Beuchler, Denise Addison, Eddie Muller and Marjorie Burris.

Until recently, the center had a waiting list of children for each age group. But the economic crisis and growing unemployment has the center in need of a marketing plan to fill slots. Currently, there are openings for 20 children ages 18 months through pre-kindergarten. The cost is $200 week, and includes hot breakfast and lunch.

Families come from Iredell, Mecklenburg and Lincoln Counties, with parents working in Davidson and Cornelius.

According to a 2008 Demographic Study by Child Care Resources, the agency that administers state subsidies for needy parents, the Davidson-Cornelius area has 9 full-day child care centers with a capacity for 980 children.

Data provided by the ESRI Market Forecast available through the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce indicates that the Davidson-Cornelius area has a population of more than 33,000 in a five-mile radius, 71.6 percent of which are in the work force. As population and industry grows, the need will continue to grow for affordable, quality, full-day care for children.

Because of the state budget crisis and the economic downturn, state subsidies for child care are dwindling. The number of children receiving subsidized day care in Mecklenburg County as of June 30, 2008, was 7,878, while more than 6,800 were on the waiting list. The 2008-90 report has not come out yet, but the numbers have likely grown significantly as more people fall below the maximum income qualifying for assistance – $44,191 for a family of four (75% of the median income in NC) – and others who lose their jobs have to reapply and take their place on the waiting list when they secure new employment.

The center was founded in 1969 by Davidson and Cornelius residents, Davidson College faculty and others who understood the need for quality day care programs was growing. Since that time, hundreds of working families in Davidson and Cornelius have sent their children through the diverse pre-school, which is one of only a few independent non-church, non-profit day care centers in the region.

How you can help

If your church, synagogue or civic organization is interested in sponsoring a salary or half salary, please contact board member Ann Todd at 704-651-3089 or via email at anntodd@bellsouth.net.A certified volunteer interim director is sought to guide the center for the next four months. Interested candidates should call Higham at 704-892-2311.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Aug. 21, 2009, “Financial woes threaten Davidson-Cornelius Day Care”