The Quad Cities Community Foundation has given a grant to Western Illinois University to go toward the development of Rocky’s Play Space in Moline, Illinois. The grant totals $57,218 to support this early education program and lab site.
Rocky’s Play Space is an early learning center for bilingual children that also helps to support and empower families. Rocky’s Play Space will enroll more than 65 children, and plans to prioritize linguistically diverse families in the Quad Cities area.
“It will offer high-quality childcare, which is at a premium in our community,” said Kelly Thompson, the Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Initiative at the Quad Cities Community Foundation. “We do not have enough high-quality, or in many cases, enough childcare sites at all, for the needs that exist in the community.”
On top of being a childcare provider, Rocky’s Play Space will also serve as an educational lab site for students of Western Illinois University and Black Hawk College wanting to become childcare professionals.
“Rocky's Play Space will not only provide high-quality childcare for children, but also opportunities for families to learn and connect with each other. It will provide flexible hours for parents,” said Thompson.
Rocky’s Play Space is working to give children the opportunities and support they need to accomplish a successful education, and Thompson says, “All of those accomplishments mean that they are going to be better suited for life ongoing, which is, of course, better for our community.”
The Quad Cities Community Foundation is always seeking programs like Rocky’s Play Space that they can help support and push forward into the community, both new opportunities and existing programs. To find grant opportunities and applications, visit www.QCCommintyFoundation.org.
“The Community Foundation is a nonprofit that gives grants to nonprofits,” said Thompson. “We get involved in community issues that no one person or organization can solve on their own. And the reason we can do that is because of the thousands of donors over the years, since our founding 60 years ago, who have given to funds and endowments here so that we have a permanent source of support for good causes in the Quad Cities.”
Rocky’s Play Space will be opening in early fall. To learn more about what the Quad Cities Community Foundation has to offer, or how you can help support more community-focused opportunities, visit the Community Foundation’s website.