We need your help to get transportation set up for kids of the Range. It's not just our program that doesn't have access to transportation, but other programs in our area will benefit from getting our bus up and running! Here is a bit of our back story!
In August of 2022 the community of the Gogebic Range faced closure of their last remaining large-scale childcare facility. Policy makers, industry leaders, clergy, and citizens gathered to discuss solutions. Although many showed up to discuss the crisis the community was facing, there weren't a lot of feesible answers and solutions being brought to fruition. The facility facing closure decided to keep their doors open and bid out the childcare license to another entity, but were still unable to meet the needs of all families in our area. That is when a group of citizens decided to take action. One single couple generously dontated a large sum of funds, another couple shifted their life to open a large-scale facility, and a local dentist bought an old elementary school to rent out in order to meet the needs of the community. Seemingly overnight, Ironwood Early Learning Academy was born!
From October through April our founder and CEO, her family, friends, and community, rallied day in and day out, nights and weekends included, to get the old dilapitated school up to code in order to pass lead, fire, health, and state inspections. It was hard won. There was blood, sweat, and tears. The barriers they faced included many cracked radiators, peeling walls, broken plumbing, tarnished floors, incredible amounts of tape, bad ballasts, staples and nails, missing wall panels in the gym, ramps and steps that needed to be built, holes needing patching, and so much more. There were other incredible, last minute delays as well. But through diligence and perserverance, they made it through. It took multiple state agencies, head of childcare licensing, and the head of the Fire Safety Bureau to fix these last minute delays.
As a staff of 12 sat around the conference table on May 25th, joy and more tears errupted as a text came through from their licensing liasion, "You did it! It was a long haul, but you are now officially open and can begin caring for and educating children."
At this point, some of the staff had been with them, (in training or helping work on the building and licensing process) since December. The sacrifices staff had to make to stick it out and trust in the process were and still are, incredible. One staff member held off on getting other work with the hope of opening before they were to have their third child, only to go into labor at the facility the night before they opened their doors! Many staff sacrificed a lot in order to make the community's dream of a stable childcare facility, a reality; and they did it with pride.
As a team, I.E.L.A. opened their doors on May 31st. The pride and honor was palpable as they started greeting families and opening each classroom as they expanded. In just 2 short months, they have scaled to over 40 kids in attendance. Their capacity is 60 until they can make upgrades the the fire signaling system they have.
They are now asking the community for help! I.E.L.A. was able to buy a school bus and now have the goal of providing transportation to kids attending their before and after school program, including Head Start, the G.S.R.P. programs, and other programs kids need transportation to and from. But they cannot do it on their own any longer. They need the community to help in obtaining the finances to upgrade the bus with new steer tires, mirrors, mounting brackets, airbags for the air brake system, etc. Their CEO and her husband have experience in both heavy mechanics, inspections, and commercial driving(including driving school bus as a profession at one point). They just need help financially getting the bus licensed, insured, and upgraded to pass inspection.
They are asking that the community show up for them like they have shown up for you. Relentlessly. Diligently. Swiftly.
School is starting on the Range very quickly. Children in our community need safe, relaible transportation to and from their programs. Their program fosters meals and snacks for at risk children as well as a loving an nurturing environment. Please take action and help today!
