On Aug. 14, Pastor Peter and other synod representatives joined with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota in celebrating the grand opening of its Early Learning Center-East Side, located at Grace Lutheran Church, St. Paul. A number of synod staff, synod council members, rostered ministers and lay leaders were on hand for the festivities, which included tours, refreshments, remarks and several confetti cannons. View photos here.
Starting in September, the center will offer affordable full-day child care for toddlers and preschoolers, along with trauma-informed classroom instruction and low teacher-student ratios. The early learning center will offer three classrooms and will provide an individualized learning plan for each child and reduced student-teacher ratios. (In most preschools and childcare centers, that ratio is closer to 10-to-one.) In addition to academics, children will have access to occupational therapy services, learn social and emotional skills and self-regulation to equip them to be ready to learn. For families, LSS team members will be a trusted resource to help them access other services, such as employment support, mental health, financial counseling or help with housing. Learn more.
Construction of the center was made possible through a $1 million gift from the synod’s Planting Hope Campaign and generous donors like Prince of Peace that made contributions to support the ministry we share.
