PSU Magazine Fall 2003

Pu I L A N T u R o P Y I N ACTION Helen Gordon Child Development Center to grow Bulldozers, lump Lrucks, and grown– ups in hard haLs showed up for school July 29 al Lhe Helen Gordon Child DevelopmenLCemer. The heavy equip- i response from parems and Lhe commu– niLy was fabulous. lL's exciting Lo launch our expansion during Lhe same year as our 30Lh anniversary." a large mulLipurpose indoor play space, and offices and a seminar classroom. amed for one of Lhe founders of Head SLan in Oregon, the Helen Gor– don Center is also Lhe UniversiLy's lab– oratory preschool. In 1986 iL became Lhe state's first early childhood cenLer LO be accrediLed by Lhe aLional Acad– emy of Early Childhood Programs. lt serves the children of sLUdems, P U staff and faculty, and the communiLy. ILLUSTRATION BY GBD ARCI IIT[CTS FeaLUres of the renovated faciliLy will include seis– mic upgrades and new windows, a new infant/LOd– dler suite, an enlarged kiLchen opening omo communiLy gath– ering space, an expanded and redesigned play– ground, sun rooms/play porches linking classrooms, a new art studio/gallery, How will Lhe children and their Leachers cope during Lhe consLrucLion 7 "The children's curriculum will reflect whaL's going on in Lhe building," Jus– Lice commems wryly. There will be a Lemporary playground across the sLreet, and with Lhe kiLchen closed for the summer sLUdents and teachers will be brown-bagging it. "We'll gel through it wiLh a lot of humor, good communicaLion, and chocolaLe." D ment and its operators arrived to begin a $3.5 million expansion and renova– tion of the historic building, daytime home to 138 preschoolers aged 18 months to 5 years. When consLruction is complete in September 2003, the center will have the room Lo double enrollmenl, adding care for infants 9 to 18 months as well as a new kinderganen program. The addiLional space is long over– due. "We've had a wailing list for almost 20 years," says DirecLOr Ellie JusLice. "Whal Lhe center offers is crucial. For studem families-espe– cially single parents-affordable child care on campus can make Lhe differ– ence between college or nol. " Studenl building funds provided by the Oregon UniversiLy SysLem will cover much of Lhe construction cost. Suppon from Lhe communiLy will do Lhe rest. To kick off Lhe fund raising effon, the cemer held iLs firsL aucLion and dinner in June. The event raised $12,000 Lo go Loward remodeling Lhe new kinderganen quancrs. "Our goal was $10,000," noLesJusLice. "The Grant opens doors of opportunity Helping indi,iduals Lransform their lives is the Lheme running through a multifaceted new gram from the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund. Through its partnership with Ponland State, the highly regarded Oregon foundaLion hopes Lo increase opportuniLies for Lhose who face educalional, economic, or social barriers to success. A LoLal of $450,000 will suppon the following: Campbell Professorship in Children, Youth c_-,, Families provides leadership in determining best practices to help al-risk youth succeed, and improve training for those who work with youth and families. Macdonald Opportunity Scholarships for promising undergraduates who would not be able Lo pursue a college education ,vithout assistance. Marilyn Foll?cstad Scholarship for Creative \\'1iting, named in memory of a Ponland Late alumna and poet, helps returning women sLUdents who plan to study writing after a difficult situation, or who plan Lo use writing as a therapy in a clinical setung. Leadership Fellows Program of the Institute for 011profit Management, a summer program developed by and for people of color who work in nonprofit organi– zations serving diverse populations. Prcsiclcnt's Circle and President's Funds help to address immediate needs and emerging opportunities, mcluding support for students, seed money for innovauve programs, and support for faculty research and community panncrships. f-ALL 2002 PSU 1AGAZI E 17