Funds Needed For Renovations At Church
The board of directors of Yellow Brick Road Early Learning Center has announced the launch of a $2.5 million capital construction campaign.
The campaign will fund the refurbishment of under-utilized space at Lexington Presbyterian Church into a four-classroom learning annex for infants and toddlers, a space to provide the same “learn through play” activities that have made YBR a community leader among early childhood education providers, according to a YBR press release.
The added classroom space is critical for the center, which remains oversubscribed, and will significantly expand access to high-quality early childhood education in a county facing a severe shortage of childcare options.
“Seven out of 10 Virginia youngsters have all available parents in the workforce, yet childcare availability has not kept pace with demand, and the childcare gap in Rockbridge County is more than double the state average,” said Pam Altizer, director of learning and project development of Yellow Brick Road. “Limited childcare availability affects a thriving, healthy community, and this campaign is a direct response to that reality.”
Currently serving 90 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, Yellow Brick Road anticipates enrolling an additional 34 young learners at the new site, increasing childcare provision by nearly 40 percent. The construction work at Lexington Presbyterian Church will create four modern, purposebuilt early learning environments. The curriculum and programming reflect Yellow Brick Road’s non-denominational, secular status, and the partnership reflects Lexington Presbyterian Church’s shared commitment to serving families and strengthening the community.
“For many years, our church has felt led to financially support the mission of Yellow Brick Road,” said Kevin Burke of Lexington Presbyterian Church. “And as our childcare task force revealed the dire need for childcare in our area, we came to see that the most valuable way we could help meet that need as a congregation is by offering our physical space to an organization already doing this work. To be able to partner with YBR, where infant care is provided and affordability for all is a value, is not only an obvious win, but a gift we are grateful to embrace.”
Of the necessary $2.5 million required to renovate the space to meet the needs and requirements of an infant and toddler program, close to $1 million has been raised, half of which has been pledged by Lexington Presbyterian Church. Additional campaign support is expected to include major corporate sponsorships and private donations.
“Donors to The Road to Randolph Street expansion are ensuring that we can accept more children, including those from low-income and underserved families on financial aid – fully half of our current intake,” said Misty Camden, Yellow Brick Road executive director. “With the Lex Pres partnership, we can increase our capacity and still maintain educational excellence in a child-first physical environment.”
To be part of this project to provide Lexington and Rockbridge families with dependable, high-quality care during their children’s most formative years call Misty Camden at (540) 463-7344 or send email to Misty@yellowbrickroadelc. com.
Depending on the success of the capital campaign, YBR and Lexington Presbyterian Church may be ready to break ground as early as summer of 2027. This means space for 34 additional children may be available in January of 2028.
