The Children's Center

“The Children’s Center has been an exceptional resource for my family. It has provided us with guidance, instruction and encouragement. We have watched our son, Aaron, blossom as a result of the wonderful environment and resources offered at The Children’s Center.” — Karen Wurtz, mother of Aaron

The Children's Center, a service of Parrish Medical Center, is an early childhood development resource center that opened its doors in August 2000. The Children’s Center provides parents who are seeking help for their children, including those with special needs, numerous health, education and child development programs in a single location. From tutoring to early learning, family support services to rehabilitation therapy, The Children’s Center is the place to take children in North and Central Brevard to receive either direct assistance or referrals for further assistance in the community. The Children’s Center houses and partners with six nonprofit community agencies with Parrish Medical Center being the managing partner.

Your gift will help fund the following programs and services of The Children’s Center:

Playground                                               

The Children’s Center features a handicapped accessible playground that is fun at every developmental stage. The playground has not been fully refurbished since it was built in 2000. More than 2,500 children, both special needs and typically developing, use the playground every year. As it falls into disrepair it becomes a safety hazard. The equipment has been maintained as well as possible, the rubber flooring repaired and equipment taken out of commission if it becomes unusable. But the floor is crumbling, rust is starting to appear and paint is chipped. The playground is used weekly for therapy play, recreation, peer interaction and social skill building. The playground also needs to be expanded. We want to add a bike path on the west side playground area to increase safety by segregating ages and developmentally appropriate activities for the many children who use the space each day.

No funding source is in sight for expanding and refurbishing the playground. This leaves staff and parents attempting to fund-raise, which places additional burden on those already responsible for the daily demanding needs of children with special needs. With your help, we can refurbish and expand the playground that is utilized by thousands of children and their families yearly.
Total need: $150,000 - Funded through the 2011 Circle of Giving (Employee Giving) Campaign

Futures Fund                                           

The Children’s Center never turns away anyone because they can’t pay. Because we have low student-to-teacher ratios and provide necessary services based on the child’s need, not the parents’ ability to pay, The Children’s Center has operational needs beyond yearly client revenues. We know there is a great need in the community for our services evidenced by the thousands of children we serve each year, and we continue to respond to the community by offering expanded services and programs. In order to sustain these services long into the future, we have created The Children’s Center Futures Fund. This fund protects the future of The Children’s Center by establishing a quasi endowment where the principal can be invested and earnings can support any operational shortfalls or capital needs. Your gift now will continue to help children long into the future.
2011 goal: $100,000
Total need: $1 million to establish an endowment fund

Scholarship Fund                                                               

A scholarship fund is available to families who may be unable to pay the cost of services provided at The Children’s Center. The recipient of any scholarship money is required to complete a financial intake form. A scholarship committee reviews the application and awards the money accordingly. Since 2000, the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation has provided $25,000 in scholarship money to The Children’s Center. That allowed 77 children to receive services they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford. With your help, we can continue to provide scholarships for children to receive the exceptional services provided by The Children’s Center.
Total need: $15,000