TOWN & COUNTRY
NOVEMBER 2018
Lionheart Academy Day Care y r a n i d r o a Extr
by Ann Marie Ludlow
Celebration Church in
Georgetown is working hard to prepare for full-time child care with Lionheart Children's Academy, set to open in January. Sheryle Knorre, Executive Director at Celebration says a serendipitous meeting at a seminar introduced the church team to Lionheart. In a confluence of planning and good timing, that partnership is evolving into a long-sought community service the church hopes will give families the comfort and support they need in a child care solution. "We like the idea of circling back to when the church was the center of social activity as well as spiritual. Families can come here seven days a week; whether for a faith-based, social, or educational need. The heart of our church and our pastors is about the people. The bridge of Lionheart and Celebration is that we can help the whole family and meet them where they are." Celebration has a child care program in place for employees, so they are already licensed and compliant for the new educational settings. Knorre says, "The
church has been wanting to provide this kind of care, and recent growth in the area put a lot of families nearby. Our mission has always been that this new building would be of service to and a blessing in this community, and now, here we are." Pastors Joe and Lori Champion agree with the Lionheart mission; "It is truly a ministry and they are really in alignment with Celebration's vision. We place a high value on the next generation because kids are not the church of tomorrow—they are the church of today. Training up leaders at any age is what we do here." Knorre says the rooms and outdoor areas are designed with activity diversity; e.g., playscapes and messy areas; and children's developmental milestones in mind. "Everything down to the types of chairs and toys we will have, is intentional to help with that development. When you're a parent and you have to make tough decisions, you want to feel comforted and secure that the people and vision you choose are really the best thing next to mom and dad." Celebration is hoping to
help families who are dual income or single parent homes by providing a welcoming and nourishing environment for children 6 weeks to 12 years old. "We are so excited to have a staff that can't wait to love on these kids and be a part of helping them get to know Jesus while they are here. We also have certified teachers who are delighted to be able to teach in a church environment. The whole team is excited." But, you don't have to believe Lionheart's marketing. Adèle Vermillion (pictured below with her son, Christiaan) explained how much she appreciates everything the Academy represents and does for its families. I hoped, ideally, to be able to be a stay-at-home mom. I knew the bubble would likely pop and I prayed I'd find someone who would love and care for my son like I would. My stepdaughter told me about the Lionheart Academy at the church nearby and from the moment I got there, it felt warm and welcoming. They knew my name,
LIONHEART CHILDREN'S ACADEMY IS A NONPROFIT spoke to me about my whole CHRISTIAN CHILDCARE ORGANIZATION SERVING INFANTS AGE 5 WITH FULL AND PART-TIME PRESCHOOL AS WELL AS family and told me they are not BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CLUB just day care— FOR K - 12 YEARS OF AGE. they are there for the entire WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT EQUIPPING KIDS TO BE child, spiritually, WORLD CHANGERS AND SUPPORTING WORKING PARENTS physically and WHO NEED QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CARE AND EDUCATION emotionally. They FOR THEIR CHILDREN. said, "We are not PLEASE VISIT WWW.LIONHEARTKID.ORG babysitters. We are here to love paycheck until something and expresses, on his own, on your child." So right better comes along." Lion"I love my school" or "I then I knew that this was heart is worthy of a parent's love my church." the place, and we would do trust; they are there because Vermillion asks other whatever it took to leave they want to watch chilparents to take advanhim in those good hands. I dren grow and learn. Visit tage of their mission; that was really nervous about LionheartKid.org or call Lionheart teachers are not having others helping me 512-763-3000 to schedule a babysitters. They are there raise my child, but my son tour at Celebration Church because they want to be, loves Lionheart and every on Westinghouse Road in out of love for children and day he stops at the front Georgetown. their faith. It is "not just a
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