Foundry Christian Community Center

In 2009, the Southeastern District of the United Methodist Church began seeking opportunities to engage and minister to the world. While the world is a big place, the District found a small, 3.4-square-mile corner of it in Bowling Greens West End. Early assessments pointed to high poverty and unemployment levels, a uniquely diverse culture (>40%), one of the lowest levels of education among adults citywide, and more than 30% of households headed by single women. Within months, the District purchased the former Boys and Girls Club, installed a Board of Directors, established the Foundry Christian Community Center, and began working with families. Impacts on young learning are seen in two West End schools, where kindergarten-readiness rates are among the lowest in Kentucky. That is why the District last year launched a $372,000 center renovation. The move enabled and ensured state childcare licensure and, ultimately, the October opening of two high-quality classrooms dedicated to these three- and four-year-olds. AT THE FOUNDRY, WE USE A DOUBLE DOSE OF TIME, A 1:5 TEACHER-STUDENT RATIO THAT INCLUDES CERTIFIED TEACHERS, AND ONGOING WORK WITH FAMILIES ON HOME-LITERACY ENVIRONMENTS TO SET HIGH-POVERTY CHILDREN ON A PATH TO KINDERGARTEN READINESS.