Current Needs

Nov. 16, 2011- Friends and supporters of The Childhood League Center responded in a big way to the Big Give, a unique 24-hour giving opportunity organized by the Columbus Foundation.
With $1 million in matching funds available, the grant-giving foundation called on local donors to support non-profits in the area during a 24-hour on-line window beginning on Nov. 10.
During the event, donors helped raise an impressive $32,323, including matching funds, to benefit the Center’s early intervention and education programs and services covered in the $2.5 million operating budget.
The Big Give raised $8,704,303 overall for 499 organizations profiled in the Foundation’s PowerPhilanthropy on-line database. There were a total of 13,430 transactions received during the 24-hour giving period from 670 cities. A grant covered all credit card fees, ensuring every donor dollar would go to the intended recipient.
While The Childhood League Center has been notified of the total amount raised, the Columbus Foundation has yet to release complete donor information, including names and amounts, but plans to do so before the end of the year.

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COLUMBUS, OH, June 7, 2011- The Columbus City Schools Board of Education today approved a ground lease agreement that permits The Childhood League, Inc. to develop a 4.26 acre site on the northwest corner of the Fort Hayes Campus. Upon completion, the facility will house The Childhood League Center that provides a broad range of early childhood educational programs and therapeutic services for children from birth to age 6.

“The Childhood League helps young children with the most need reach their potential. Preparing children to succeed academically aligns with our mission,” said Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., Superintendent/CEO for Columbus City Schools. “The Childhood League Early Intervention program for children is designed to improve each child’s learning abilities by providing early, appropriate and intensive interventions. Their preschool programs promote school readiness and social and emotional development which is critical to their future success in school and life. We are proud to partner with an organization that truly helps children build a solid educational foundation.”

The lease agreement is for 50 years with two 20 year renewal options. The Childhood League will be responsible for incorporating the two historic buildings on the site into their construction plans. The appraised value of the property is $1,065,000. A lease restriction on the parcel limits its use to early childhood education purposes.

“The opportunity to develop a new state-of-the-art Childhood League Center on the Fort Hayes Campus represents an exciting milestone toward meeting the growing demand for early childhood education and early intervention services in our community,” said Barbara Acton, Executive Director of The Childhood League, Inc.  “We are very pleased to be part of the revitalization of this important historic district and to partner with Columbus City Schools.”

The lease calls for The Childhood League, Inc. to make a lump sum payment, payable at such time as The Childhood League secures a building permit and begins construction, to the district equal to the value of the property minus the cost of renovating the existing buildings, perimeter site fencing and the extension of Harrison Drive to access the property. The lease gives The Childhood League up to three years to secure a building permit and begin construction. Rent for the parcel shall be $1 per year for the full term of the lease in addition to the one-time payment.

Columbus City Schools, established in 1845, is the state of Ohio’s largest school district, serving the needs of approximately 50,000 students in 118 schools.  The district is under the leadership of its 19th superintendent, Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., and a seven-member board of education.  The mission of Columbus City Schools is that each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.

Since 1945, Childhood League, Inc. has been committed to providing the best possible learning environment to ensure all children have an opportunity to reach their full potential.  Through the cooperative efforts of a professional staff and a network of volunteers and families, the Center provides education and therapeutic services for children both with and without special needs from birth to age 6.

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The Childhood League Inc. announced that it has adopted a new Childhood League Center governing board. Formerly governed exclusively by Childhood League members, the Center’s community board now consists of 11 community leaders selected from active Childhood League members, Childhood League assisting board members, and corporate leaders and stakeholders.

The new structure is designed to enhance communication and to increase the Center’s reach into the community through broad participation, advocacy, education and impact. All board members were chosen for their expertise, knowledge and commitment to the Center’s mission, and were approved by a majority of The Childhood League membership.

Members of the 2010-2011 Childhood League Inc. Board of Directors include: Emily Gerber (League President); Kylene Sabec (League Treasurer); Lisa Ingram (COO and VP Operations, White Castle Systems Inc.); Todd Kegler, Esq. (Director, Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter); Barbara Kunz (President, Health and Life Sciences Global Business Battelle); Michael Petrecca (Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers); Barbara Radous (Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, American Electric Power); Robert Walter (Advisor, Talisman Capital Partners); Mark Wagenbrenner (President, Wagenbrenner Companies); Carole Watkins (Chief Human Resources Officer, Cardinal Health Inc.); and Barbara Acton (Executive Director, The Childhood League Center).

“The League’s decision to expand the board to include assisting board members and community leaders was one that was not taken lightly, given our legacy as an organization run solely by League members,” said League President Emily Gerber. “The new Board of Directors will allow us to better serve all of our constituents while preserving the traditions laid forth by our almost 900 strong assisting board members.”

For the community leaders who were asked to join the Center’s Board of Directors, it is a unique chance to share their talents and leadership skills to further the success and mission of the Center.

“I am proud to serve as a member of The Childhood League Center Board. I welcome the opportunity to utilize my expertise in assisting the organization to help children in our community realize their full potential in a loving and supportive environment,” said Barbara Kunz, President of Battelle’s Health and Life Sciences Global Business. “I look forward to assisting the staff and other board members build upon the very strong foundation formed over the past 65 years by the very insightful and dedicated leaders of The Childhood League Center.”

The Childhood League has named Katie Webster as the new Development Director of The Childhood League Center. Coming to the Center from her role as development officer for HomeReach Hospice for the OhioHealth Foundation, Webster has more than 14 years of diverse development experience in annual and major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, volunteer management, donor relations and stewardship, and organizing fundraising events.

Webster currently serves on the board of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), is chair of the AFP Collegiate Chapter and is a past chair of the National Philanthropy Day celebration. She is also a member of the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) and volunteers for the non-profit organization A Kid Again. Webster holds a BS degree in Communications from John Carroll University.