South Side Mission Cutting Daycare Program
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: January 18, 2013
PEORIA - The
South Side Mission will be closing its doors to its children's daycare and
pre-school program.
A slow
economy is taking a toll on charitable organizations like the South Side
Mission. Director Phil Newton said it's cutting its King's Kids program so the organization
can work toward living within its means. He said, "Like everyone else, we have
had to live below our means. We've had to make some tough choices as an
organization and we've had to make some cuts as an organization."
Newton said
32 kids attend the program and it employs six teachers. He said it's something
the mission can no longer afford to provide. "The usage of our program
diminished and also the funding for it has diminished over time. So in order
for us to use good stewardship for our donors, we had to make some very tough
choices."
Parents and
grandparents said they're struggling with the news. They say the South Side
Mission has done wonderful work, and it will be hard to see it end.
One grandma
spoke about the devastating news. "She prayed last night that she hopes God
keeps King's Kids open and she could see her friends and her teachers. That's
so important to little people. The program, they do wonderful things here with the
children."
Mom Minnie
Rios said, "It isn't easy to find a good school like this one here. This was a
good school."
Newton said
the decision is a done deal. He said the mission is working toward a better and
stronger future through new financial endeavors. "In addition to making cuts on
the expenses side, we've made expansions on the revenues side. We're going to
add a fun run later on this year, we're going to add a real estate donation
program and a number of other strategies in order to bump up our revenue so we
can make it through this time."
The mission
is working with other local daycares to help find a place for children and its
staff members. The program is set to end in March.
If you want
to help the South Side Mission you can donate online (www.southsidemission.org) in person
at the location or via mail (1127 S. Laramie Street, Peoria, IL 61605).
