Building on its presence at Fort Bend Community Church, where it provides nutrition, education and health services for low-income families, the nonprofit intends to expand its new early childhood education program with a 14,000-square-foot care center containing four to five classrooms for up to 75 preschool students.
“The preschool is the main reason why we need to build the building,” President Mei Wong said. “We really have a heart to develop this group of children.”
Wong said the new building will also house adult education classrooms, meeting rooms and administrative offices, enabling the organization to expand all existing programs.
The gist
This fall, the center launched its preschool program through a partnership with Creative Minds to support early childhood development to break cycles of low literacy and help children enter school ready to succeed.
Children ages 3 or 4 can qualify for the program if they meet at least one criterion, including being:
- Educationally disadvantaged
- English learners
- Homeless
- Enrolled in foster care
- From a military family or first responder family
The financials
As of the most recent report, Wong said $4.8 million has already been pledged or donated through Fort Bend Community Church, philanthropic organizations and individual contributions.
The philanthropic organizations offered matching grants, with the George Foundation’s $750,000 already fulfilled, Wong said. The Mabee Foundation’s $500,000 grant is still awaiting matching.
Overall, the Fort Bend Care requires $738,500 to complete the center’s budget, of which Wong said individual donations will be “very important” to fulfilling the matching grant.
Taking a step back
The organization, founded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, began as a long-term recovery ministry within Fort Bend Community Church. The center runs a multiprogram “community hub,” where resources are centralized for families in need, focusing on sustainable development rather than short-term aid.
Wong said in addition to early childhood development, the organization’s mission spans to include:
- Adult Education, offering English as a second language, citizenship and GED preparation classes
- Health care access by providing space for AccessHealth that aids underinsured and uninsured patients
- Food security partnership with the Houston Food Bank
With design work nearly complete and the permitting is expected to begin soon, Wong said the organization hopes to break ground in June, contingent on securing the remaining $738,500 in matching-grant-eligible donations.
