WINONA LAKE – The K21 Health Foundation (K21) awarded a grant of $55,000 to Pleasant View Bible Church in Warsaw to assist with the startup costs for their registered childcare ministry, which opened at the end of August.
The grant will support a new outdoor fenced-in playground, resourcing the daycare program and providing Kosciusko County with additional activity space, according to a news release Wednesday from K21.
The daycare serves children from infancy through 5 years old, with a capacity for 84 children at any given time. The playground will facilitate the children’s recreation in a fun and safe environment, motivating an active lifestyle Monday through Friday year-round.
Kosciusko County has been deemed a childcare desert by the Early Learning Advisory Committee, the governor’s task force on early learning. A recent report noted a shortage of about 1,700 childcare seats in the county, which accounts for only one childcare seat for every three children who need care. This limits the workforce of Kosciusko County and hinders the ability of local employers to attract and retain talent, the news release states. Pleasant View Bible Church is committed to bridging that gap and already offers opportunities for active play and skill-building with their annual T-ball ministry, which currently serves more than 100 children.
The nearest playground is three miles from the church, meaning the new playground will meet the needs of many more local families.
“We’re very thankful for our partnership with K21 and our shared desire to help the kids and families in our community thrive. In addition to daycare attendees, this playground can be used by the siblings of our T-ball ministry family participants. It is also open to our surrounding community whenever the daycare facility is not open for business,” said Mike Hontz, senior pastor.
K21 Health Foundation focuses on improving health and wellness for the residents of Kosciusko County. The organization seeks to ensure that health care services are provided and to advance prevention and healthy living. K21 accomplishes this by maintaining an endowment, which funds community projects and needs through investments and grants, the release states.
