The Granite Ymca Acquires Somersworth Early Learning Center
June 22, 2023Manchester, NH – After ten months of due diligence, the Boards of Directors of both The Somersworth Early Learning Center and The Granite YMCA voted unanimously to integrate. The merger became official as of June 1, 2023, enabling The Granite YMCA to assist The Somersworth Early Learning Center with expanding access to child care, offering financial assistance, and planning for additional youth and family programs in the fall. The new name of the center is officially: The Granite YMCA of Somersworth, a community child care branch.
“The Somersworth Early Learning Center has been an important asset to the community and has played a critical role in providing a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive,” said Michele Sheppard, CEO and President, The Granite YMCA. “Financial pressures led to our discussions and the immediate collective goal was to ensure that they never had to close their doors. Everyone involved understood the dire impact closure would have had on this local resource that serves at least 45 children and their families and employs 15 dedicated staff members. We are all extremely proud to have come together to essentially save jobs and needed child care services that families depend upon, and we look forward to expanding access to new programming for this community,” Sheppard added.
Community Support
The Granite YMCA had help in this process. The partners who played a pivotal role in addressing initial financial needs included the Granite United Way, giving over $33,000 and the NH Charitable Fund (NHCF), contributing roughly $30,000. Additional private donor funding of at least $20,000 received through NHCF was from the George Merck Foundation on the recommendation of Patience and Tom Chamberlain. Other individuals and organizations that made the merger a success include the Strafford City Economic Development Center (deferring the loan payment for the mortgage from March through June), City of Somersworth, the Somersworth School District, Ready Together Coalition, and the Somersworth Early Learning Center Board of Directors, led by Chair Rob Silva.
“The integration goals and objectives are being met because of the collective efforts of these organizations. Given the lack of child care resources state-wide and the need to sustain centers such as the Somersworth Early Learning Center, everyone stepped in with a singular initial focus and that was to keep the doors open,” explained Sheppard. “This is an enormous win and a very proud moment for everyone involved. We cannot thank our friends, colleagues and partners enough for their efforts in helping us sustain child care services for the Somersworth community,” Sheppard said.
Rob Glew, Granite YMCA Chief Volunteer Officer for the Board of Trustees concurs. “The ability to step in and with the help of partners, allow for seamless child care services to a community that is dependent upon this center gives us a great deal of pride. We know that there will be many new and innovative programs coming to Somersworth as we welcome them to The Granite YMCA family,” said Glew.
A Granite YMCA of Somersworth open house and integration celebration is being planned for the fall.
ABOUT THE GRANITE YMCA
As one of the state’s longest standing and most enduring non-profits, The Granite YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and family strengthening. Across the state, its six branches engage 30,000 men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to improve their health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2019, The Granite YMCA provided financial assistance and free services valued at over $1.6 million to 26,189 individuals. To learn more, please visit www.graniteymca.org.
