Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Bend to open early learning center in 2024

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·2 min read

After a yearlong study, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend noticed something about Corpus Christi: It's a "desert" for early learning centers and day cares.

CEO Kim Barrientos said due to the board's findings, the organization decided to open an early learning center for the youth in the community. It will cater to newborns to 5-year-olds.

The new building, located in Flour Bluff, is scheduled to open in January 2024.

A door at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend is pictured on June 9, 2022. The organization will open an early learning center in January 2024.
A door at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend is pictured on June 9, 2022. The organization will open an early learning center in January 2024.

Construction and remodeling have started, and each age group will have its own separate rooms, Barrientos said. A preschool for 3- to 5-year-olds will be held in a building attached to the learning center.

Barrientos said the center will have room for 95 children, and registration information will be made available soon on the organization's website, bgccb.org.

The new learning center will offer a nurturing and engaging environment where children can develop essential skills critical for their future success, according to a news release.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend will soon use a building in Flour Bluff for a new early learning center. The building used to be the Family Health Clinic & Minor Emergency Room.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Bend will soon use a building in Flour Bluff for a new early learning center. The building used to be the Family Health Clinic & Minor Emergency Room.

The building will feature modern classrooms equipped with age-appropriate learning materials, interactive technology and dedicated play areas. Additionally, "highly qualified and caring" educators will be on hand to facilitate comprehensive early childhood programs that focus on academic, social and emotional development, according to the release.

Barrientos said the organization needs to raise an estimated $500,000 to purchase tables, chairs, cribs and "everything else" for the learning center.

"We're doing a campaign right now where individuals and corporations can help support us by purchasing a room to have it named after them, or even the building," Barrientos said in an interview. "It'll help us raise funds."

To make a monetary donation, call 361-853-2505 or email kbarrientos@bgccb.org.

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. 

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Boys & Girls Clubs to open early learning center, seeks donations