Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki today shared the formal announcement below from the Latin American Community Center (LACC) regarding the opening of its new Infant and Toddler Center at 402 North Van Buren Street. The official dedication of the new facility was held about two weeks ago. The Mayor, who attended the dedication event on April 21, congratulated LACC President and CEO Maria Matos as well as the LACC Board and Staff for making the new child center available for the community. The LACC says this center is just the start of a multi-phase plan to serve more children and families.
LACC HOSTED RIBBON CUTTING FOR ITS NEW INFANT AND TODDLER CENTER
The Latin American Community Center (LACC) celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new Infant and Toddler Center located at 402 N. Van Buren St. in Wilmington, Delaware on April 21, 2023. This ceremony marked a significant milestone for the LACC and its education expansion project which has been more than 10 years in the making. The new 2.5-story,15,000-square-foot Infant and Toddler Center is a testament to the LACC’s ongoing commitment to providing vital services to families in need. The building has 12 classrooms, creating an additional 108 childcare slots and 30 new permanent jobs. The center is also home to its first-of-its-kind rooftop playground. The agency is excited to welcome families to its new center and looks forward to serving the community for many years to come.
Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the completion of phase 1 of the project, the Infant and Toddler Center. Phase 2 of the project will begin construction later this year and includes a brand-new youth playground for children ages 5 to 12, a new parking facility, and essential building repairs for the agency’s other two buildings in Wilmington. Phase 3 of the project will include a new childcare facility in New Castle, Delaware. Ceremony attendees included Senator Chris Coons, Senator Tom Carper, Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, State Senator Tizzy Lockman, State Treasurer Colleen Davis, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Wilmington City Council Member Bregetta Fields, and Chair of the Delaware Hispanic Commission Carlos De Los Ramos. Delaware’s Congressional Delegation – Senator Tom Carper, Senator Chris Coons, and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester – secured $3.5 million in federal funding in support of phase two of the project. “I am proud to join Senator Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, to support the federal funding that is helping the Latin American Community Center fulfill its mission– especially for the children in our community,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “As we were crafting the American Rescue Plan and thinking about earmark requests, the Latin American Community Center provides just the kind of vital resources to the community that make it a great federal investment.” “The Latin American Community Center provides top-notch childcare and youth services that are key to strengthening Delaware families and communities,” said Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester. “There are always two things I look for in projects – they need to have community need and community support, and the LACC Infant and Toddler Center had both. Today’s ribbon cutting is a testament to what is possible when we work together. I am proud to have worked with Senator Carper and Senator Coons as well as incomparable Maria Matos and the incredible staff at the LACC to make today possible.” The good news continued throughout the ceremony as County Executive Matt Meyer announced a $500,000 commitment of ARPA funding in support of phase 3 of the project in New Castle, Delaware. The LACC is grateful for the champions in the community that have allowed them to celebrate this momentous occasion as well as continue their work to best serve Delaware’s children with the next phases of this project. About Latin American Community CenterThe LACC is a nonprofit, community-based organization that has been committed to meeting the needs of Latinos in Delaware since 1969. The agency provides a continuum of integrated programs that promote achievement and an enhanced quality of life. The mission of the LACC is to empower the Latino community through education, advocacy, partnerships, and exceptional services. The agency’s vision is a thriving Latino community.
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