Monthly Monday Mission Update:
A Unique Partnership in support of Early Learning in Columbia
Every child deserves a strong start. And every family deserves a place where their child feels safe, supported, encouraged, and inspired to grow.
That belief is at the heart of a new partnership in Howard County between the Y and the United Way, which is now called The United Way Y Early Learning Center in Columbia. More than a name change, this partnership represents a shared commitment to strengthening early childhood education and supporting families.
Located at 7115 Columbia Gateway Dr., the center is a unique resource for local families, providing high-quality early learning experiences, along with wrap-around services, in a nurturing environment. Opened by the United Way of Central Maryland in 2022, the site currently serves 41 infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, with a capacity to serve 73.
For generations, both organizations have shared a similar purpose: helping children, families, and communities reach their full potential. By bringing together the Y’s extensive experience in youth development and early childhood education with the United Way’s deep community impact and fundraising capacity, the partnership creates an even stronger support system for families navigating the critical early years of childhood.
And those early years matter deeply.
Decades of research have shown that the earliest years play a critical role in a child’s long-term academic, emotional, and social development. High-quality early learning environments help children build confidence, curiosity, communication skills, and school readiness that shapes future success. Well-constructed preschool programs are designed to support the “whole child,” focusing not only on academics, but also social-emotional growth, creativity, independence, and healthy development.
After launching and operating the center four years ago, it only makes sense that the United Way turned to the Y to carry the baton forward. We are one of the largest providers of early childhood development services in Maryland, serving almost 1,400 children and their families in 27 sites around the region. We have worked hard over many decades to earn a reputation as an organization that consistently provides safe, engaging and enriching environments in which young children can build the skills and confidence they need to thrive in school and in life. That reputation has been earned due to the hundreds of exceptional teachers, directors and support associates who work in our Head Start, Early Head Start and Preschool programs, and the stellar leadership of Amy Taylor (SVP, Early Childhood Development), who has over 30 years of experience in early childhood work.
The United Way of Central Maryland opened this center in Columbia as part of their focus on what they refer to as ALICE families, an acronym for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” It represents a growing demographic of hardworking individuals and families who earn more than the federal poverty level but not enough to afford basic necessities like housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. At the Y, we reach people and families across the income level, but a large percentage of those we serve are in that predicament. In fact, so many of our youth development programs help ALICE families hold down employment while feeling confident that their children are being well cared for in an enriching, engaging environment. At the Y, those struggling to make ends meet are eligible for what we call “Open Doors” financial support (thanks to the generosity of our donors).
The United Way’s family center has a unique model that includes a range of wrap-around family services, like a food pantry and access to diapers and other needed personal care products. That model is not new to the Y, as it aligns very well with what is provided through our Head Start, Community School, food access, and Community Health work.
Together, the partnership allows both organizations to continue investing in what matters most: children, families, and the long-term strength of the community.
And, as an added boost, families enrolled in the United Way Y Early Learning Center in Columbia will now receive access to Y family membership benefits, helping extend healthy living, family and youth activities and connection beyond the classroom walls (a benefit that all families participating in Y youth development programs receive).
And while the center’s new name reflects a new chapter, the heart of the work remains the same.
The United Way Y Early Learning Center in Columbia, like all of the Y’s early childhood sites, is more than an early learning center. It’s a place where children build confidence, families find support, and community takes root from the very beginning.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland