Officials held a ribbon-cutting earlier this week for a new center with educational opportunity for Detroit youth. The McClellan Early Childhood Center is opening at the site of the former Pingree Elementary School.
The Center is run by Matrix Human Services and was supported through IFF, a lender, real estate developer, and consultant for nonprofits. The $8.75 million project was funded through JPMorgan Chase, Cinnaire, The Kresge Foundation, the City of Detroit, PNC Bank, and IFF.
The 15,000-square-foot facility can accommodate 96 children in eight classrooms and will open in October. It's located in the Gratiot Woods community on the city's east side.
“The McClellan Early Childhood Center is a milestone in our mission to transform Head Start early childhood education in Detroit," shared Brad Coulter, CEO of Matrix. "By providing a new state of the art facility right in the heart of Gratiot Woods, we are setting a foundation for our children’s future success. This facility is not just a school; it's a commitment to our community.”
The center is another step forward in closing the gap in access to early childhood education in the city of Detroit.
“The McClellan Early Childhood Center represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing Detroit’s children with access to high-quality early education,” said Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, City of Detroit. “This new facility not only addresses a critical need for our early learners, but also serves as a shining example of how dedicated partnerships can drive meaningful change in our community. We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of IFF, Matrix Human Services, and all our partners who made this achievement possible.”
