Create Healthy Donates More Than $2.2 Million to Support Early Childhood Development in the Hill Country

Investments fund the Little Hearts Child Development Center’s first year of salaries and move Bethany Preschool to the next phase of its capital campaign.

Create Healthy announced new investments in early childhood development with donations to two Hill Country early childhood care providers to expand their service capacity.

Create Healthy Investments

Bethany Preschool – Building Bright Futures Capital Campaign

$1.5 million for expansion plans to nearly double the preschool’s capacity

Little Hearts Child Development Center

In excess of $750,000 to fund the first full year of salaries including the director’s salary

“Investments in early childhood development are investments in a healthy future for our community,” said Jayne Pope, RN, CEO, Create Healthy. “Create Healthy partners with organizations like Bethany Preschool and Little Hearts Childhood Development Center that share a mission to invest in the healthy development of the Hill Country’s youngest residents. Together, we are increasing access to high-quality childcare for Hill Country families for years to come – allowing more children to receive the quality care and support they need to be school ready.”

New funding for Bethany Preschool’s capital campaign will bring the project to 75 percent of its total funding goal of $7 million and enable the next phase of construction to begin. Create Healthy previously kicked off the community portion its Building Bright Futures capital campaign, which funds expansion of the preschool’s facilities to nearly double its enrollment capacity.

“With Create Healthy’s generous gift, our capital campaign can advance to the next phase,” said Jody Donovan, Campaign Chair, Bethany Preschool. “With widespread community support from individuals and foundations like Create Healthy, we are one step closer to our goal of providing more working families in our community the pre-school and after-school childcare services they need.”

A new grant for the Little Hearts Childhood Development Center will fund the center’s first year of salaries including the first year of the director’s salary. Create Healthy previously donated to complete the capital campaign to fund construction of the new center, which is expected to open early 2025. The center will be staffed by licensed caregivers and prioritize care for children from low-income families and those who have experienced trauma.

“Having Create Healthy as a partner in our work is incredibly valuable,” said Laurie Jenschke, Board President, Little Hearts Child Development Center. “The early childhood years of 0 to 3 have a huge impact on a child’s healthy development and future, and we’re committed to addressing the shortage of high-quality early childhood development services in our area so every family has what it needs to thrive.”