Childcare at Grace Place

Our child-care at Grace Church (managed by LutherCare) is flourishing. The following update was written by Donna Weidman, Chair of the Childcare Board of Grace Church, and Diane Jostes, Director of Grace Place.

Grace Lutheran Church has always been an active part of the community here in Lancaster, with its doors open for worship, various church and community groups, meetings, activities, meals, and fellowship opportunities. This is as it should be, since our faith should be expressed in words and deeds, not just one or two days a week, but "24-7", and not just in isolation within our own congregation, but within the community at large.
With the opening of Grace Place Children's Center last August, a new outreach into the community became a reality. The need for affordable, quality childcare is a necessity of life for the majority of families in today's world. Opening our doors, once again, and enabling Grace Church to be an active, nurturing place within the community more hours of the week is a refreshing and invigorating part of our mission. Still having some doubts? Come visit! Stroll down the halls of the second floor, peek into the classrooms, and see all of the exciting things that are happening! You can't help but smile in amazement, as Grace Place has become a second home to 47 enrolled children! Currently there are eight staff members. As of February 23, the Infant and Preschool Rooms were full. There were five openings in the Young Toddler Room and six openings in the Older Toddler Room. Diane Jostes is currently looking for another teacher for those rooms so that we may open some spaces for the families on the waiting list.
Grace Place's mission is "to nurture the development of each child, spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically; serve the mission of the Church by providing a Christian foundation for the growth and development of children and their families; and to welcome and serve the diversity of families in the neighborhood and community." (from our Mission Statement). In other words, it is a place dedicated to building a firm foundation for our most precious natural resource, our children, our future!
It is noteworthy that approximately 36% of the children enrolled are able to do so through some sort of funding provided to them through federal or other assistance programs. Also, Grace Place was approved for a grant from the state, and they have received many new items for the children. They are enjoying all the new toys and games. They are also grateful for all the wonderful donations that have been left on the doorsteps.
LutherCare also has a scholarship fund, established through an annual golf outing fundraiser, to help those who may just have missed the cut-off for federal assistance or to help those who need childcare while their federal paperwork is being processed. If you like to golf, let us know, and we'll give you more information on the fundraiser closer to the time.
Grace Church has also received donations from those in the congregation who have wanted to contribute in some way to Grace Place, so an account has been established to help with any miscellaneous needs or additional scholarships as the staff of Grace Place sees fit. For those who might like to contribute to this fund, just earmark your donation for "Grace Place," and it will go into this account. Your support in spirit and prayers towards the continued success of Grace Place's mission is also one of the best ways that you can help. Let us all continue to serve the Lord and spread His word as close to "24-7" as we can get!

If you know of someone looking for childcare, they can reach the director, Diane Jostes, here at Grace Place at 291-0275.

	Grace Lutheran Church *Worshipping with the Saints -- Seeing Christ in others* Lancaster, Pennsylvania
(717) 397 2748 Welcome Our Mission For Every Day Map / Directions Thought to Ponder Staff Worship WorshipThoughts Services Worship Music Lessons 7/20/08 Sermons ComplineInfo Calendar Grace News June 24, 2008 June 17, 2008 June 10, 2008 Concerts Ministries Christian Education Akaloo Akaloo Schedule Music Music Groups Organs Childcare Youth Housing Ministry Parish Nurses Advice Seniors Slovakia Tanzania Links Our/Church Members Say History Windows of Grace Library	Our child-care at Grace Church (managed by LutherCare) is flourishing. The following update was written by Donna Weidman, Chair of the Childcare Board of Grace Church, and Diane Jostes, Director of Grace Place. Grace Lutheran Church has always been an active part of the community here in Lancaster, with its doors open for worship, various church and community groups, meetings, activities, meals, and fellowship opportunities. This is as it should be, since our faith should be expressed in words and deeds, not just one or two days a week, but "24-7", and not just in isolation within our own congregation, but within the community at large. With the opening of Grace Place Children's Center last August, a new outreach into the community became a reality. The need for affordable, quality childcare is a necessity of life for the majority of families in today's world. Opening our doors, once again, and enabling Grace Church to be an active, nurturing place within the community more hours of the week is a refreshing and invigorating part of our mission. Still having some doubts? Come visit! Stroll down the halls of the second floor, peek into the classrooms, and see all of the exciting things that are happening! You can't help but smile in amazement, as Grace Place has become a second home to 47 enrolled children! Currently there are eight staff members. As of February 23, the Infant and Preschool Rooms were full. There were five openings in the Young Toddler Room and six openings in the Older Toddler Room. Diane Jostes is currently looking for another teacher for those rooms so that we may open some spaces for the families on the waiting list. Grace Place's mission is "to nurture the development of each child, spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically; serve the mission of the Church by providing a Christian foundation for the growth and development of children and their families; and to welcome and serve the diversity of families in the neighborhood and community." (from our Mission Statement). In other words, it is a place dedicated to building a firm foundation for our most precious natural resource, our children, our future! It is noteworthy that approximately 36% of the children enrolled are able to do so through some sort of funding provided to them through federal or other assistance programs. Also, Grace Place was approved for a grant from the state, and they have received many new items for the children. They are enjoying all the new toys and games. They are also grateful for all the wonderful donations that have been left on the doorsteps. LutherCare also has a scholarship fund, established through an annual golf outing fundraiser, to help those who may just have missed the cut-off for federal assistance or to help those who need childcare while their federal paperwork is being processed. If you like to golf, let us know, and we'll give you more information on the fundraiser closer to the time. Grace Church has also received donations from those in the congregation who have wanted to contribute in some way to Grace Place, so an account has been established to help with any miscellaneous needs or additional scholarships as the staff of Grace Place sees fit. For those who might like to contribute to this fund, just earmark your donation for "Grace Place," and it will go into this account. Your support in spirit and prayers towards the continued success of Grace Place's mission is also one of the best ways that you can help. Let us all continue to serve the Lord and spread His word as close to "24-7" as we can get! If you know of someone looking for childcare, they can reach the director, Diane Jostes, here at Grace Place at 291-0275.
Grace Lutheran Church -- 517 North Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 -- (717) 397 2748