Turnstone and the Kimbrough Early Learning Center Receive Come Back Stronger Grant - Round Two

FORT WAYNE, IN (April 16, 2021) – The Kimbrough Early Learning Center at Turnstone has received a second grant from the Early Learning Indiana’s Come Back Stronger Fund. With the support of Lilly Endowment Inc., the fund supports early learning providers across the state who are committed to serving vulnerable family populations.

The Come Back Stronger Grant helps offset new expenses incurred by providers to safely operate during the pandemic and continue delivering high-quality early learning experiences. Turnstone is thankful to have received an additional grant of $9,000 to provide salaries for a new classroom that was opened amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

After suspending programs last March due to COVID-19, Turnstone’s Kimbrough Early Learning Center resumed operations on July 6. This January, Turnstone opened an additional classroom for 2- to 3-year old children to support social distancing and limit group sizes.

Funding from grants, including the Come Back Stronger Fund, have allowed Turnstone to continue providing critical programs and services for individuals with disabilities in Northeast Indiana. The first round of this grant allowed Turnstone to purchase cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, and other necessities to combat the virus and safely open the facility.

Turnstone’s Kimbrough Early Learning Center was eligible to receive this grant as a qualified Level Three Paths to QUALITY educator. Paths to QUALITY is Indiana’s statewide rating system to help families make informed decisions about early care and education programs. Level Three programs use a planned curriculum to guide child development and prepare children for Kindergarten.

The Come Back Stronger Grant, Round Two, will allow Turnstone to continue providing a high quality education to children of all abilities.