Capital Campaign

In September 2012, the Ellis Early Education Center opened in our newly renovated building at 58 Berkeley Street.

“Campaign for the Future” is Ellis Memorial’s Building Capital/Renovation Project in the South End of Boston. Phase I included the purchase and renovation of 58 Berkeley Street, a 13,000 square foot building adjacent to the 66 Berkeley Street facility that we have owned for more than 75 years. The new building houses our administrative offices and a new Early Education Center for over 117 children. We are continuing to use 66 Berkeley Street for our after-school and summer programs.  Phase II of the campaign will focus on renovating 66 Berkeley Street to improve and enhance program space and create new space for use by the community.

Key advantages of our new building at 58 Berkeley:

  • Brand new restoration, custom designed for us
  • Large, airy classrooms and hallways
  • Fully outfitted technology infrastructure and equipment
  • Complete control of our space and time
  • One location for everyone, producing an enhanced sense of community and support, and streamlining communication and administration
  • An attractive and exciting renovated historical building in the South End of Boston to build an infrastructure for quality educational learning

THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR QUALITY

Research clearly supports the need to invest in quality early education and care. A significant component of quality care is the environment itself. The noted Italian educator Loris Malaguzzi emphasized that a well-designed environment acts as “the third teacher” because it promotes exploratory learning and physical activity, facilitates positive interactions and keeps children safer and healthier.

Many Ellis families are single-parent households requiring childcare for up to ten hours a day with programming and nutrition to meet the fundamental needs of their children. It is essential that we provide support to these children and their families in order to help them make the most of their potential and be successful, healthy members of the community. One of the major challenges faced by low-income, working families in need of early education and care is access to high-quality programs in modern, well equipped facilities.