UNITED WAY OF DEKALB COUNTY AWARDS $100,000 COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT TO YMCA OF DEKALB COUNTY TO EXPAND CHILDCARE ACCESS
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DeKalb County — United Way of DeKalb County is proud to announce the YMCA of DeKalb County as the recipient of a $100,000 Community Impact Grant, a transformational investment aimed at expanding access to high-quality childcare and strengthening support for working families across DeKalb County.
This funding will support the rapid recruitment, training, and development of staff for 14 new classrooms currently under construction as part of the YMCA’s Early Learning Center expansion. When complete, the project will create the largest single-site childcare center in the tri-state area—significantly increasing capacity and access for local families.
The YMCA’s Early Learning program will grow from 150 to 198 seats, while its School-Age Childcare program will expand from 135 to 238 seats. In total, the YMCA will be able to serve up to 436 children daily—helping address a critical childcare shortage impacting working families and employers throughout the region.
“While the statehouse struggles to help Indiana working families and young learners, United Way of DeKalb County and the YMCA are stepping up together to make certain the needs of our working families are met,” said Bob Krafft, CEO of the YMCA of DeKalb County. “With over 180 children on our active waiting list, this will not meet all the needs, but it will certainly help.”
The need for expanded childcare has become increasingly urgent, as centers across Indiana have faced closures due to reduced funding and lower reimbursement rates. This investment ensures that DeKalb County families continue to have access to safe, reliable, and high-quality care—an essential component of a strong and stable workforce.
“This $100,000 investment from United Way of DeKalb County for our early learning center will directly strengthen the foundation of our program by allowing us to recruit and retain high-quality educators and expand our leadership team,” said Chelsey Robinson, Director of Early Learning for the YMCA. “This support ensures consistency, stability, and growth—ultimately improving outcomes for the children and families we serve.”
The Community Impact Grant represents United Way of DeKalb County’s commitment to investing in bold, collaborative solutions that create lasting change. By supporting both operational capacity and long-term growth, this grant aligns with United Way of DeKalb County’s focus on advancing youth opportunity, strengthening financial security, and building a more resilient community.
“The YMCA has been a trusted leader in childcare in DeKalb County for more than 45 years,” said Tyler Cleverly, Executive Director of United Way of DeKalb County. “This investment is about more than expanding a program—it’s about ensuring families have the support they need to work, children have a strong start, and our community continues to grow stronger together.”
As the largest provider of childcare in the nation, the YMCA has long been a critical partner in supporting children and families locally. This investment builds on that legacy and reflects a shared commitment to meeting today’s challenges with innovative, community-driven solutions.
Together, this partnership demonstrates that United Is The Way to strengthen families, support working parents, and expand opportunity for every child in DeKalb County.
About United Way of DeKalb County:
In existence since 1960, United Way of DeKalb County is a nonprofit organization serving DeKalb County. United Way of DeKalb County works to create lasting local change by bringing people and resources together to build a healthier community, expand opportunities for youth, strengthen financial security, and foster a resilient, connected DeKalb County. At United Way of DeKalb County, our work is grounded in these core values: Community Impact, Compassion, Integrity, and Collaboration. Together, we’re building a thriving DeKalb County where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, supported by a united community working together to create lasting change.
For more information, please visit www.unitedwaydekalb.org or call 260-927-0995. Follow United Way of DeKalb County on Facebook, Instagram, X (previously known as Twitter), or LinkedIn