PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Inside the Early Learning Center on CCAC's main campus is a child care center where caregivers like Gwendolyn Marcus teach and nurture children from 18 months to 6 years old.
The kids can't get enough of her.
“I'm used to it,” Marcus said with the child on his lap. “I've been working in this field for over 20 years. I sit here and this is what happens. The kids are coming. This is part of it.”
Part of their daily routine includes learning the days of the week, colors, and words. This is where children grow and learn through their ABCs and playtime. This discount daycare center accepts childcare subsidies, and this service allows parents the freedom to work and earn a living.
“This is great. I think it's very needed, and I'm happy to be a part of providing quality child care in the community,” Marcus said.
The nonprofit Project Destiny recognized the need for daycare options, especially on the north side. Gerard Mahon is the Resource Coordinator for Project Destiny.
“The great thing about what we did was sit down and get feedback from the community and determine what the needs of the community were,” Mahon said. “We cover everything.”
Today, the daycare is just one of many services offered by the organization. This nonprofit organization was founded in 2004 on the North Side and has now expanded throughout Allegheny County.
Project Destiny provides biweekly free healthy food distributions, ensures stable housing and transportation for people in Pittsburgh, and serves as a key connector for people to get the resources they need.
“We partner with over 250 organizations to really address these needs,” Mahon said.
Since 2018, Project Destiny has helped transform the lives of approximately 68,000 people in our community.
“If we can take people who are going through the most difficult times and get them to a place where they can have stability and succeed in life, it's all worth it,” Mahon said.
Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children is what makes the nonprofit's work so rewarding for everyone like Marcus. She said, “They are such wonderful children. They all need love. They all need care.”
We care about our community and show kids and adults that this nonprofit is there for them every step of the way.
Again, daycare is not free, but other services are. Project Destiny also offers free summer camps for children. You can register for now.
If you would like to work for this nonprofit, we are currently hiring.
Find out more about their work and what they offer on their website at this link.
If you would like to see your organization featured on KDKA's Sunday Spotlight segment, please email Megan Shinn. mshinn@kdka.com!
