In order to reach the goal of universal preschool in Multnomah County by 2030, the Preschool for All Facilities Fund was established to provide grants and technical support to providers looking to expand and improve their facilities. By offering financial assistance specifically for facility-related expenses, the fund’s goal is to bolster small businesses and nonprofits providing early learning, and ensure that there are enough high-quality spaces to serve Multnomah County’s preschoolers. Thanks to the Preschool for All tax, we’re able to invest in innovative programs like the PFA Facilities Fund that strengthen the entire early childhood system in our area.
One example of the fund's impact is CAIRO's Early Learning Center. CAIRO (the Center for African Immigrants and Refugees Organization) began its early childhood program in 2016 with a single Preschool Promise classroom. This January, they’ll have seven classrooms operating in elementary school buildings across Multnomah and Washington Counties. However, their ability to offer more preschool hours has been limited by the school schedule.
“We know that there’s a need for a preschool program like this out there in our community,” says Dee Hayward, CAIRO’s early learning program manager. “Our current classrooms are in school buildings and those are great, we’ll continue them! But because we have to follow the school hours, the school schedule, we're only able to run a six hour program at those sites. Having our own center will allow us to be open more hours during the day, which we know our families need.”
CAIRO had been considering the idea of opening a center for many years, and when Hayward came into her role in 2022, the project began to move forward. It was an expensive proposition, but Hayward and Abdi Muse, CAIRO’s deputy executive director, knew they had to find a way to get it done. By August of 2023, they had put together a plan and were beginning to look for funding. As a qualified Preschool for All provider, CAIRO was eligible to pursue a grant through the Preschool for All Facilities Fund.
Hayward submitted an interest form online at www.BuildUpOregon.org and CAIRO ultimately received grants totaling $1.1 million, as well as technical assistance through the process. The grant, along with a loan from BuildUp Oregon's lending partners, has enabled CAIRO to purchase and renovate a building that will eventually house five classrooms and serve up to 100 children. Sale on the new space closed in July of 2024, and construction is underway!
CAIRO's Early Learning Center will not only provide a high-quality preschool program, but will also serve as a community hub for families. In addition to offering extended hours, allowing parents more flexibility in their work schedules, the center will also be a place where families can spend time with each other.
“We hope our early learning center will become a place that the children and families can come and meet and, you know, share the culture,” said Hayward. “The majority of our families are African immigrants, and they like to see each other in person. They like to have a place where they can stay connected. So we don't only look at preschool and education and that – we're looking at the whole unit, family, children – we're part of that.”
There are many things other than securing funding that can be challenging about a project like this. PFA’s pilot site providers are skilled at designing and delivering great preschool programs, but real estate, construction, and property development are another skill set entirely. Hayward mentioned zoning, occupancy requirements, working with architects, and permitting processes that could be really tricky for providers who don’t yet have experience or knowledge of the process. We’re hopeful that the technical assistance and coaching provided to PFA Facilities Fund grantees helps providers avoid some of those costly stumbling blocks.
“The guidelines and application process were supportive and straightforward. But there’s a lot to the process after submitting an interest form, before the funds can be released. We worked with a team of support from BuildUp Oregon, including a project manager and a development consultant. Without that we might have gotten stuck. We feel really lucky we got this grant and it came with that additional assistance.”
CAIRO's Early Learning Center is one example of the transformative difference Multnomah County’s taxpayers are making through Preschool for All’s investments. Innovative solutions like the PFA Facilities Fund help preschool providers overcome financial barriers and create nurturing learning environments, which is what our community needs, and what so many preschool providers are eager to do.
“I just want to create culturally responsive preschool programs,” said Hayward. “As a young mom I was an immigrant in England. I was alone. I didn’t have my mom, and I didn't have my family. I opened a daycare and began taking care of other people’s children. In England, I got a degree in early childhood education, and later I came to the US where I achieved a B.A. in social work and a masters in ECE. When I started my career in the US, I started to see many people – families, young moms, immigrants – who struggle. I understand these people. So that's why I chose to build preschool programs at [community-based nonprofits like] IRCO and CAIRO. I'm not just sitting in the manager chair or director chair signing paperwork. I like the families, I like the children, and I really have a passion to help those who are going through the same experiences I have been through. This is what motivates me to be a provider.”
If you're a preschool business owner interested in expanding or improving your facility, we encourage you to first become a qualified Preschool for All provider and then apply for a grant through the Preschool for All Facilities Fund.
Visit www.builduporegon.org to learn more and submit an interest form!
