Mayor announces expansion to childcare grant in its partnership with Ready to Grow St. Joe

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Ready to Grow St. Joe, an early childhood coalition, excitedly announced the expansion of its partnership with the City of South Bend.  

The Mayor added $150,000 to the ongoing grant, bringing the city's total commitment to $250,000.  

$100,000 will go toward enhancing classrooms and providing quality childcare, while the remaining $250,000 will go toward scholarship funding.  

Ready to Grow St. Joe director Terri Kosik says they were initially able to help 108 families with scholarships. Now with the new funding, she's hoping to financially help 150 families.  

Scholarships are needs-based and help families who meet income requirements of up to 200% of the federal poverty line.  

Commenting on the partnership, Mayor Mueller says: "This is a long-term investment into the future of our kids, but it's also a near-term investment into our economy. Working parents need a place they can trust and know their child is growing and developing today. It helps our economy today and economy over the long term."