The Bloomsburg Area YMCA received a $30,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to convert the recently-purchased former Bloomsburg Children's Museum property into a full-day childcare center.
This project is the result of a 2022 Community Needs Assessment and feedback from the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce that identified a significant shortage of childcare services in the area. Following the renovations, the organization will be able to expand its childcare capacity from serving approximately 48 children to more than 100 children ranging in age from 6 weeks to five years old. The existing YMCA facility will continue providing childcare services for children ages 6-12.
These enhancements will help provide vulnerable populations in Bloomsburg with reliable childcare services. The Bloomsburg Area YMCA serves 10,000 people annually and approximately 65% of YMCA members and program participants are at a low-to-moderate income level. The organization remains committed to serving these individuals through a combination of financial assistance, subsidized memberships, free community initiatives and partnerships with schools, healthcare providers and human service agencies.
Bloomsburg Area YMCA CEO Wayne Stump said, “We are appreciative of the support from the First Federal Charitable Foundation because it will allow us to deliver a higher level childcare experience for children and families in the Bloomsburg area. This support will give us credibility for the project in the community and help us fund not just the childcare but also STEM-related and other well-organized educational programming for the children.”
First Federal Charitable Foundation Executive Director Megan Kennedy said, “We are honored to help the Bloomsburg Area YMCA achieve its goals to provide more quality childcare services to residents in Columbia and Montour counties. Access to safe, affordable, quality childcare is an ongoing need in communities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and we're happy to do our part to help alleviate this issue in Bloomsburg.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email