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Where Your Child's Learning Journey Begins
A Barrier to Family Stability
A Childcare Crisis
While assisting families through Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach, Karmen Johnson noticed a recurring pattern: families were spending a significant portion of their income on childcare, often without receiving reliable, quality care.
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With her financial expertise, Karmen began investigating the underlying causes. She quickly discovered that West Michigan had been grappling with a childcare crisis since 2020. Rising daycare costs, severe staffing shortages, and limited availability were preventing families from returning to work.
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To gain a deeper understanding, Karmen visited eight daycare centers in Southeast Grand Rapids. She found high staff turnover, frequent closures, and lengthy waitlists. Personal experience confirmed the challenge: after six months on a waitlist, she had yet to receive a response from a single daycare.
A Solution: Reimagining Childcare
Determined to find a better solution, Karmen empathized with struggling families and envisioned a flexible space that supported thriving families. This space would prioritize staff and parents, reflect the demographic diversity of the community, and be subsidized to make high-quality childcare accessible to all.
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With the approval of the Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach Board, Karmen explored grant funding options and suitable physical locations. Ultimately, she secured a space at 52nd and Eastern in Kentwood, aligning with the available resources.
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