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Community Family Development seeks DRI funds to repair church-based childcare facility
Summary
Community Family Development and First Congregational Church leaders asked for $374,000 to replace roof, HVAC and windows at a long-operating daycare that currently serves up to 104 children; applicants said they rely on small-business loans, limited endowment funds and member donations while complying with OCFS licensing.
Community Family Development (CFD) CEO Jamie Hilah and a First Congregational Church representative presented a request for $374,000 in DRI funding to repair and stabilize a longstanding church-based childcare facility that licenses up to 104 children.
Hilah said the program serves children from infants through school age and that recent winter boilers and roof failures have forced temporary closures in cold weather, disrupting workforce parents who rely on childcare. She said the building dates to the 1800s and needs a prioritized capital campaign for a new roof, HVAC, and window repairs.
“We are a current licensed nonprofit childcare facility that houses children anywhere from infants all the way through school age, and we can have a 104 kids at any given time,” Hilah said. The applicant said they are at early stages of planning, intend to use a small business loan and are discussing fundraising with congregation members; the church holds roughly $500,000 in endowment funds but many of those funds are restricted.
Committee members asked about relationships with county childcare coalitions and OCFS licensing; Hilah said she sits on the Dutchess Child Care Coalition and that the organization has a positive relationship with local childcare support networks. The LPC did not vote; staff encouraged the applicant to supply more detailed cost estimates and documentation of operating status for grant review.
