Clackamas Co. Children's Comm.
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News Release
he former Mayer Arts Building located at the Marylhurst University Campus in Lake Oswego Mark Struloeff (Marylhurst Property Manager), Vicki Cummings (CFO-SNJM), Justen Rainey (Director-Public Affairs Counsel), Senate President Rob Wagner, Darcee Kilsdonk (Executive Director at ClackCoKids), Danielle Rushing (Director of Family and Community Connections at ClackCoKids), and Mark Lipscomb (Director of Operations at ClackCoKids)
he former Mayer Arts Building located at the Marylhurst University Campus in Lake Oswego Mark Struloeff (Marylhurst Property Manager), Vicki Cummings (CFO-SNJM), Justen Rainey (Director-Public Affairs Counsel), Senate President Rob Wagner, Darcee Kilsdonk (Executive Director at ClackCoKids), Danielle Rushing (Director of Family and Community Connections at ClackCoKids), and Mark Lipscomb (Director of Operations at ClackCoKids)
ClackCoKids awarded $4.2 million by State Legislature for new Head Start facilities (Photo) - 03/20/24

For Immediate Release                                  

March 20, 2024                                   

Milwaukie, Oregon—Clackamas County Children’s Commission (ClackCoKids) has been awarded $4.2 million by the Oregon State Legislature to purchase and renovate two properties in Clackamas County. With the funds, ClackCoKids will open additional Head Start classrooms and afterschool programs to serve 186 children and their families. 

“Because of the generosity of the Oregon Legislature, we will be able to serve more children and families in our communities,” said Darcee Kilsdonk, the Executive Director at ClackCoKids. “We are thrilled by the state’s investment to make our dream a reality. I am especially grateful for the support we received from Senate President Robert Wagner, Representative Daniel Nguyen and Senator Mark Meek.”

“The money we invested in ClackCoKids is going to have a tremendous community impact, not just for the families served by these programs, but for local economies and the future of our state,” said Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego). “We know that Head Start is an amazing program and can play a critical role in the health and stability of families. I am so excited to see the children in these programs thrive.”

The first property to be renovated will be the former Mayer Arts Building located at the Marylhurst University Campus in Lake Oswego. This facility is projected to open in Fall of 2024. The location will enable us to serve in Head Start 34 additional children ages three to five, 16 additional children aged six weeks to three years, and 30 children in after-school care, as well as up to 60 additional children in subsidized or fee-for-service care.

“Our vision is for the property to provide a one-stop-shop for families services like WIC, SNAP, medical and dental care,” said Kilsdonk. “We also hope to expand our ability to provide opportunities for supervised visits for children in the foster care system who are reuniting with their parents, potentially providing a receiving home opportunity for children who have come into foster care and are awaiting placement to create a more family-friendly environment for children in traumatic situations.”

“This investment in Head Start classrooms is an investment in families,” said Representative Daniel Nguyen. “Head Start enhances parents’ education levels, employment statuses, and incomes as well as overall stability and self-sufficiency. The potential for additional daycare 

and after-school care is much needed in the community, and I thank the Sisters of the Holy Names for offering their beautiful space on the Marylhurst campus to care for children in our community.”

The second location to be renovated is a former YMCA Childcare Center in Milwaukie (2992 SE Monroe St, Milwaukie, OR 97222). The property is projected to open in the Spring of 2025. It will house five new classrooms and two new playgrounds able to serve about 80 children.

For more information visit: www.clackcokids.org.

Clackamas County Children’s Commission offers early childhood and social services to qualifying pregnant women and families with children ages zero to five. CCCC’s mission is to support the growth of healthy children and families, positive parenting, and school readiness. For information about CCCC’s holistic approach to serving young children and families, visit www.clackcokids.org, or follow CCCC on social media @ClackCoKids.

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