On August 26th, the West Haven Community House celebrated the grand opening of its new Early Learning Center. This center will start the education process for children from 2-5 years old. This period of education is crucial in brain development for all people. As David Morgan, Deputy Commissioner at the CT Office of Early Childhood, explained, more brain development happens in this stage of life than in the rest of a human’s total experience. Marie Wilson, the Executive Director at the West Haven Community House, expressed her gratitude to all the people who had made this learning center possible, including the Board of Directors, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Mayor Dorinda Borer, and her staff.
“This project took years to complete, and the classroom is a beautiful space to help a young mind grow and thrive. The focal point is a reading tree where a child may sit and read with the feeling of being under the tree of knowledge,” Watson said. “The room is full of engaging stations that will help a child learn in a fun environment.”
Mayor Borer said she was very proud of the new Learning Center, expressed her commitment to the future of West Haven: “When we look at this beautiful new education center, we are looking at the future of West Haven. This center represents our collective promise to our youngest residents.”
The President of the Board of Directors, Ron Quigliani, expressed his gratitude to the city of West Haven, and Representatives Bill Heffernan and M.J. Shannon welcomed the learning center with a proclamation from the state of Connecticut.
Cheryl Swett, Director of Children and Youth Services, and Alan Olnick, Interim Assistant Executive Director, Development, welcomed all the guests in attendance. The Chamber of Commerce was on hand to facilitate the Ribbon-Cutting.
This new learning center creates a foundation for learning for many of the youth in West Haven and will stand as a commitment to education for decades to come.