Salina Area United Way is very pleased to announce that the organization has received a $6,000 donation from Bergkamp Inc. to the Early Childcare Initiative Fund. Their donation will help sponsor a local childcare teacher to ensure that they earn a living wage, helping to keep our centers fully staffed, which will in return open more childcare slots.
This donation is another step forward by local Salina businesses in making strong and lasting steps in combating childcare issues and shortages due to workforce in Saline County. Bergkamp Inc. is the fifth business in our community to step up and support the Salina Area United Way Childcare Initiative.
In April of 2023, Salina Area United Way announced the start and opening of the Early Childcare Initiative Fund at their organization. Through this fund, local centers will be able to apply on an annual basis for wage supplement grants, to bring assistant teachers to $15/hr. and lead teachers to $18/hr. Currently nearly all childcare centers in Saline County, except for one, are paying $4 less than the wages listed above.
“We are now a year into combating childcare in Saline County, and we appreciate businesses continuing to acknowledge that we have a crisis and want to do something about it,” says Executive Director, Claire Ludes. “Bergkamp is another great local company willing to help make a lasting change for our community.”
Salina Area United Way hopes that through 2024 more local businesses in the community will get on board with the crucial Childcare Initiative in Saline County, donate to the Early Childhood Initiative Fund, and see the impact it can make on the workforce and recruitment and retention of workers.
For more information about Salina Area United Way and the Early Childhood Initiative Fund, or how you can donate, please call the SAUW office at 785-827-1312 or email the Early Childcare Initiative Director, Christina Small. Stay tuned for more upcoming information regarding the Early Childcare Initiative Fund.