Construction on the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA childcare development facility began with an Oct. 27 groundbreaking ceremony.
Childcare has long been a challenge for the community surrounding Eastman's headquarters in Kingsport, Tennessee. That's why the Eastman Foundation pledged $1 million to the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA, which officially began construction Oct. 27 with a groundbreaking ceremony. The project will help the local YMCA establish a childcare development facility that offers quality, affordable care for children ages six weeks to prekindergarten. It will also help prepare children for school.
"The Eastman Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in our communities, and we recognized early on that this center would meet a need for our region," said Paula Bulcao, director of global public and community affairs at Eastman. "Supporting this project embodies the culture we believe in, where we help take care of our neighbors. And the impact of this project will be tremendous."
The center's location is key. It will be located within the YMCA's existing footprint, which is conveniently located near two interstate exits. This helps provide easy access to the local community and surrounding areas.
Members of Eastman's executive team, the Eastman Foundation and Catalysts employee resource group (ERG) attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
The community made this project possible. In addition to the Eastman Foundation, several regional donors and state/national grants contributed to the childcare center.
"Our community cares, and it showed at this groundbreaking," said Steve Shives, president and CEO of the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA. "We all share a commitment to creating brighter beginnings, stronger families and greater opportunities for generations to come. As we begin this project, we see that vision come to life."
The YMCA estimates registration/enrollment will open in early 2027, with a grand opening slated for fall the same year.
