Pawleys child care center plans to reopen in summer – Coastal Observer

Pawleys child care center plans to reopen in summer – Coastal Observer

Board members of the Pawleys Island Child Development Center announced this week they have set a goal to reopen the facility by next June. “We are standing in front of you tonight saying we need all of your help. For a long time,” Tawania White, the reopening coordinator for the center, said to a group of more than 30 people at St. John AME Church. The center lost its license when it closed in April this year. The center still operates as a nonprofit and can receive tax deductible donations. In order to reopen, the center needs a minimum of $150,000. The seven-member board created subcommittees focused on reopening and fundraising. White cited a loss in government funding for its closure after operating for more than five decades. Those federal dollars made up 93 percent of the center’s revenue, she said.  The center was the most affordable in the area, board and audience members said. Tuition cost $80 a week. Few parents and guardians paid out of pocket, White said, and a majority of families relied on the Child Care Scholarship Program, commonly known as “ABC vouchers.” Those scholarships are paid directly to participating child care providers. The program placed a hold on scholarships last December. “There are lots of child care centers in Georgetown and Horry counties that have lost funding and have closed, and unfortunately, we happened to be one of those,” White said. “Once you lose that funding, it’s dire.” White said that led to difficulty paying monthly bills and the center incurred debt, leaving the board in a position where they had to choose between paying bills and its staff of four full-time and two part-time employees. “When we were inconsistent with paying staff, staff is not going to stay. Would you?” she said. “The question is, now, where do we go from here?” Patricia Rutledge’s great-granddaughter was one of about 30 students enrolled at the center. She hasn’t found another facility for the child. “This is all we have. This is something we need to cherish,” she said. “I’m trusting in the Lord.” The Rev. Dr. Novel Goff, the pastor of St. John AME, is hopeful the community will help. “It’s kind of hard to ask folks for money when you haven’t put any money on the table yourself,” he said.