Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Reaches Fundraising Goal

OAK BLUFFS – A Martha’s Vineyard Community Services capital campaign has reached its goal to construct a new Early Education and Care Center.

The organization raised $7 million in about a year to fund the new 10,000-square-foot facility, which will allow MVCS to serve 30 percent more children at the Island’s only nationally-accredited center.

Laura Seguin, the Capital Campaign Officer for MVCS, said the staff and board of directors worked hard on raising the funds.

“It’s really going to be a game changer for us,” Seguin said. “To have a facility that is state of the art to serve our island children will be wonderful, and incredibly impactful to their early education.’

Martha’s Vineyard Bank and MV Youth each committed $1 to the project.

“We have had significant commitments from larger organizations on the island, but the majority of the gifts have come locally from individuals,” Seguin said.

The new center will include a central gathering space where families can walk in and be greeted by teachers and staff.

“Right now when you walk in to the center there are multiple entrances,” Seguin said.

“There is no welcoming opening space for families to gather at drop off and all of that will change with the new center.”

The center will also have areas for breakout sessions.

Currently, the building does not allow for children to see outside as it is below ground level.

The new building will be open with high ceilings, large windows, and a lot of natural light.

New playgrounds will also be featured that will be sized for the children served.

“Right now the playgrounds that we use are far too large so it is hard for the teachers to keep an eye on all of the children,” Seguin said.

The current playground equipment is also dated.

A groundbreaking for the center is expected this fall.

Early Education and Care services will continue to be offered to the Island community on the MVCS campus during the construction process.

The $7 million raised completes the first phase of the MVCS capital campaign, which also seeks to build a new main campus.

The new main campus will house disability services, enhanced urgent mental health services, veterans affairs, recovery services, and administrative offices.

The next phase requires $12 million in donations.

The final phase of the campaign includes landscaping for the campus along with funding for an endowment to ensure the sustainability of the new campus.

Residents interested in a campus tour or more information about the capital campaign, contact Seguin at [email protected] or by calling 508-693-7900 extension 454.

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