Clackamas County Children’s Commission (ClackCoKids) has purchased two new Early Learning Center locations in Milwaukie and Gladstone. We are also leasing a third new property in Lake Oswego. This expansion is made possible by generous funding from the Oregon State Legislature for $5.42 million and from the Office of Head Start for $7.76 million.
“I feel honored by the generosity of the Oregon Legislature and the Office Head Start for their willingness to help us serve more children and families in our community,” said Darcee Kilsdonk, the Executive Director at ClackCoKids. “I am especially grateful for the support we received from our community partners as well as Senate President Robert Wagner, Representative Daniel Nguyen, Senator Mark Meek, and the Region 10 Office of Head Start. Their assistance enables us to continue our publicly funded services and efforts to eliminate poverty and address the childcare desert in Clackamas County.”
The Milwaukie location is a former YMCA Childcare Center located at 2992 SE Monroe St. Once renovated, the property will house five new classrooms and two new playgrounds that will enable us to serve about 60 additional children. We are currently working with architect, Tim Richard, of TJR Studios and his consultants to create documents for selecting a contractor through a closed bid process in late fall with a goal of project completion by July of 2025.
The second location is 17395 Webster Road in Gladstone. The property will house five new classrooms and two new playgrounds that will also enable us to serve 60 additional children. This property is still in the planning stages and will likely go out for bid in January/February 2025 with project completion by July 2025.
The final property is located on the Marylhurst Campus in Lake Oswego, and it will have at least five classrooms, two new playgrounds, and a community space that will enable us to provide services in partnership with The Children's Center and the Department of Human Services. The goal is to promote stronger parenting and reunification efforts and provide space for partners to meet and collaborate. Our goal is to complete the Marylhurst renovations and open the center in spring of 2025.
“Finding property that will meet the federal Head Start Performance Standards, the Office of Childcare regulations, and that sits in the community where our largest waitlist exists is an incredible opportunity for ClackCoKids,” said Kilsdonk.
For more information visit: www.clackcokids.org.
Source: Clackamas County