Penfield, NY – The YMCA of Greater Rochester was honored to welcome Governor Kathy Hochul to our brand-new Irene Skalny Childcare Center at the Eastside Family YMCA, sharing with her the critical need for quality care in a childcare desert.
The Irene Skalny Childcare Center is expected to reach a capacity of 120 children, an additional 44 youth from our previous location, in February.
“We know how critical it is for the families we serve across the YMCA of Greater Rochester to have affordable, quality childcare; and that’s why we worked so hard to open a new center in Penfield in a designated childcare desert,” said Ernie Lamour, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Rochester. “Being able to provide this critical care means parents and caregivers can remain in, advance or enter the workforce, directly contributing to the overall economic vitality of our communities.”
To help bring this center to life, the YMCA worked with a multitude of leaders and agencies in the state who believe as passionately as the Y does in our mission to serve, including Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, who secured $400,000 in funding, and Empire State Development, which provided a $1.5 million grant to support. The grant was secured through the work of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council.
“We see every day how access to high-quality, affordable childcare is essential for children to thrive and for working families to succeed,” said Lamour. “The Governor’s plan for childcare in the state strengthens providers, supports educators and ensures more children from every walk of life will enter school ready to learn.”
The YMCA looks forward to working with partners and government leaders to ensure the program is fully and sustainably funded, so providers can deliver on these goals without being left to absorb the costs themselves, and families across our region and the state see real, lasting impact.
The Irene Skalny Childcare Center features four infant rooms, three preschool and toddler rooms each, a gross motor skills room, clinical space for 1:1 family services, and two playgrounds.