WCCA to renovate Tebeau Children's Center in Hendersonville to serve more families
Western Carolina Community Action recently received a grant for $340,815 from the Dogwood Health Trust to help renovate and remodel the nearly 50-year-old Tebeau Children’s Center in Hendersonville.
Located on Tebeau Drive off 9th Avenue, the 3,400 square-foot childcare center was home to Stay n’ Play, Lovin’ & Learnin’, and the Hendersonville School for Little Folks, according to a news release.
WCCA purchased the aging center and surrounding property in late 2020 with the intention of remodeling it to create a modern early childhood education center that would once again serve the community’s children and families. The project cost is $1.69 million, according to WCCA.
CEO David White explained, “There’s a great need for high-quality early childhood education programs in Henderson County. Our Head Start, Early Head Start, and NC Pre-K programs always have a long waitlist. Commercial lease space for childcare is very difficult to find. By acquiring the Tebeau property and doing a renovation, we believe that there’s a real opportunity to invest in the future of our children while preserving a piece of our past.”
The Hendersonville-based nonprofit has obtained bank financing and raised $1.628 million in public and private grants and donations to help save the Tebeau Children’s Center, according to WCCA.
“We’re extremely grateful for this amazing gift from the Dogwood Health Trust,” White said. “Their support helps move us closer to the finish line and making this center a reality. Now we’re turning to the community to ask for help.”
White encourages Henderson County residents and those interested in providing young children with a head start on their education to visit WCCA.org or call 828-693-1711 to find out more about the project and help save the Tebeau Children’s Center by making a contribution.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Local nonprofit to renovate Tebeau Children's Center in Hendersonville
