Last week, I was honored to represent Hillcrest Healthcare and the Hillcrest Foundation at the Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) Tennessee Child Care Solutions Summit.
I joined Lori Humphreys, vice president of Child Care Services for the YMCA of East Tennessee, for an engaging panel discussion focused on the importance of accessible, quality child care and innovative solutions that support working families.
One example we were especially proud to share is the YMCA Early Learning Center at Beverly Park Place. It is the first of its kind in Tennessee, bringing generations together in a unique environment that combines senior living and early learning.
This innovative model demonstrates what is possible when organizations work together to address community needs in creative ways. The Early Learning Center provides an important resource for children and working families while also creating opportunities for meaningful connections across generations.
What is happening at Beverly Park Place has the potential to reach well beyond one location. As a model for what is possible, the center can help lead the way for other senior living communities interested in developing similar partnerships and programs. The impact we create today can touch the lives of children, families, and older adults for generations to come.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in these important conversations and collaborate with leaders working to strengthen child care opportunities across Tennessee.
Finding solutions to the child care challenges facing working families requires partnerships, innovation, and a willingness to consider new approaches. I am proud that Hillcrest Healthcare and the Hillcrest Foundation can be part of that conversation and help demonstrate how bringing generations together can strengthen an entire community.
Lavonda Cantrell is the director of marketing & communities for Hillcrest Healthcare and the vice president of The Hillcrest Healthcare Foundation. She can be reached at lcantrell@hillcresthc.com.
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