Exciting Times Ahead for East Savannah: New Early Childhood Learning Center on the Way!
Savannah residents, get ready for some fantastic news that’s sure to bring a smile to your face! On December 10th, the local nonprofit East Savannah United (ESU) announced a whopping $100,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund. This generous contribution will go towards building a state-of-the-art 12,000 square-foot facility that will house a brand new early childhood learning center (ECLC) and a public children’s library.
What’s Cooking in the Community?
This early childhood learning center will cater to our littlest residents, providing a safe and stimulating environment for children aged just six weeks to four years old. What’s more exciting is that this new facility is part of a larger initiative to revitalize Savannah’s Wheaton Street corridor, a project aimed at increasing educational opportunities and economic mobility for historically under-served community members. Just think about it—this is a huge step towards creating brighter futures for our little ones in East Savannah!
Derek Mallow, the Executive Director of ESU, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We are honored to have financial support from the Truist Charitable Fund for the new ECLC to be built in East Savannah. To date, public funding from SPLOST, Chatham County, and the City of Savannah will cover 78% of the capital cost, with the remaining $2.5 million to be raised privately. Truist’s generous gift will help make it possible for area children to receive a quality early educational experience, positively and significantly influencing the trajectory of their lives.”
Early Education Matters!
Now, let’s talk about why this is more than just a building—it’s about laying the groundwork for a prosperous community. Studies have shown that the formative years of a child’s life are essential for their brain development. When children learn in a healthy, safe environment before they even hit kindergarten, they’re all set to grow up and thrive as well-rounded adults. Not only does this help them reach their full potential, but it also equips them to engage actively in their communities—socially, economically, and civically.
The new ECLC won’t just be an investment in education; it’s also a beacon of hope for the neighborhood, promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development. It’s a transformational change that Savannah’s east side residents have waited for, and the countdown to construction is on, expected to be completed by 2025!
A Heartfelt Thank You from Truist
“We’re proud to support East Savannah United and its new early childhood learning center,” said Ryan Martin, Truist’s market president in Savannah. “Our purpose at Truist is to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we’re grateful to help underserved residents achieve greater educational equity and economic mobility through this project.”
Living in Savannah, you can feel the warmth of the community, and it’s absolutely heartening to see organizations coming together to uplift our shared home.
Community Impact
All in all, this initiative stands as a testament to how caring community leaders are working diligently to make Savannah a thriving place for everyone. With plans for the ECLC in motion and financial support underway, the future looks bright for early childhood education in our lovely city. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed and look forward to a new chapter in East Savannah’s journey toward educational equity!
Stay tuned, Savannah! With ups like these, the future is definitely looking up for our youngest learners!
