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OREM - Utah Valley University received a million-dollar donation to build a new and expanded daycare facility. This will enable low income parents to have a place to send their young children while they further their education.
The center will be built near the existing center, which was really just a remodeled house. It will help more low income students, especially women, have a better chance of finishing their college degree.
As you step into the Wee Care Center at Utah Valley University, you will find young children playing, enjoying a snack and maybe taking a nap. It's where Lyndzey Evans, a senior in political science, sends her two young boys for a couple of hours every day.
They really love the teachers," Evans said. "The teachers are so caring and really good friends with my boys and great mentors. They love it here."
With her family in Texas, the Wee Care center gives Evans affordable day care, knowing her children are safe and happy, so she can finish her degree.
"There is such a need to get parents into school and educated, especially women," said Mary Ellen Larsen, the director of the Wee Care Center.
"There is such a need to get parents into school and educated, especially women. -Mary Ellen Larsen, the director of the Wee Care Center
Larsen knows from experience how difficult it can be for young parents, especially single moms.
"I too am a single parent," Larsen said. "I wish they would have had this when I was going to school."
Now plans for an expanded center are a reality, thanks to Barbara Barrington Jones who is giving UVU $2 million.
"She had some hard times early on in life and I think that is part of why she is donating," said Matthew Holland, president of UVU. "Because she knows what it is like to struggle."
And college leaders are thrilled for what it will mean to students for years to come, who want to finish their education.
"This will double, if not triple the capacity we now have," said Jane Urbaska, associate vice president. "We are not going to be able to take care of every child that may need it, but we can certainly do a better job this way."
For students like Lyndzey Evans, the Wee Care center is what will make it possible for her to graduate.
"My experience here at UVU would not be possible if it weren't for this amazing center," she said. "It's really really a blessing in my life."
So with this additional million dollar gift from Barbara Barrington Jones, UVU will be able to start construction by the end of the year and the brand new day care center should be open sometime in the fall of 2013.
