Starter Blessings Day Care
Company Description
Starter Blessings Day Care, located in Wilkinsburg, Pa., provides meals, supervised playtime, and learning activities for 12 children. The business was established in 2003 by Carmen Hall and currently employs 2 full-time staff.
Impact Story
Like many child care providers in Pennsylvania, the 2009 budget negotiations forced Carmen Hall to make some tough decisions. While the politicians in Harrisburg froze spending and debated over social service cuts, Hall weighed her options. Should she delay paying her monthly bills or hold employee payroll for several weeks until funding resumed? Or would she apply for a loan to keep her child care center open?
A pamphlet from Bridgeway Capital arrived in her mailbox, making Hall’s decision a little easier. To help bridge the funding gap, Bridgeway offered loans to social service providers who were struggling with cash flow. After meeting with a loan officer, Hall was approved for financing.
“Without their help I would have been behind on monthly bills and paying my employees,” Hall said. “Bridgeway made it possible to put smiles on our faces during a hard time.”
When state funding resumed, Hall quickly paid off the first loan and applied for additional funding to replace the roof of the 100-year-old yellow-and-blue house in Wilkinsburg that provides a safe and fun learning environment for 12 children.
In fact, the bright colors Hall chose to paint the outside of the turn-of-the-century brick colonial represent to her what happens inside.
“Cheerful on the outside; cheerful on the inside,” she said.
Economic Impact
- Starter Blessings provides affordable, quality child care to an underserved market.
- Two full-time jobs were created in the Wilkinsburg area.
Business Information
456 Swissvale Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
412-241-4488
