New Building Project — Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center

Since opening our doors in 2015, the Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center (PCELC) a 501(c)(3) non-profit has become more than just a childcare provider — we’ve grown into a cornerstone of family life, workforce stability, and educational continuity in Churdan and the surrounding rural areas of Greene, Calhoun, and Webster Counties.

Our story is deeply rooted in local resilience. Originally housed in a portable classroom from 1999, our building was never intended for long-term use — yet for over two decades, it has served our community's youngest learners. Today, PCELC which employees fourteen employees full and part time, provides quality early education and care to 45 children from 23 families, with six more on a waiting list. These numbers are a testament to both our need and our potential with continued growth over the last four years.

However, we now face a critical turning point. The building's infrastructure is failing — from outdated HVAC systems to structural wear — creating increasing health and safety risks. It is clear: the temporary has run its course. We cannot grow our community’s future in a facility that is falling behind.

In response, and with strong support from the Paton-Churdan Community School District, we are launching a visionary project to construct a new, permanent modular learning center on school property. This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to:

Expand capacity from 52 to 80 children — reducing waiting lists and supporting more families
Increase from three to six classrooms and a dedicated Pre-K space
Include a commercial kitchen, in-room restrooms, handwashing stations, a built-in tornado shelter, and energy-efficient HVAC systems
Fully meet and exceed state childcare regulations

This isn’t just a building. It’s an investment in the long-term economic and social vitality of our community.

Childcare is essential infrastructure. It supports working families, attracts young professionals, keeps local businesses running, and helps maintain school enrollment — all key pillars for revitalizing our rural economy. When young families know there’s a place in town where their children will be cared for and nurtured, they stay. They work. They contribute.

We are proud to be partnering with Region XII Council of Governments to apply for a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — a powerful tool designed to strengthen low- to moderate-income communities like ours. But to unlock this funding, we must raise matching funds locally. That’s where you come in.

We are calling on our community to help bring this project to life. Your financial contribution — whether from your family, your business, or in honor of a loved one — will have a direct and lasting impact. As a non-profit, we’ll provide a receipt for your donation, which can be used for tax deduction purposes. Donors will be publicly recognized on a permanent donor wall at the new facility and in community-wide acknowledgements.

This project timeline begins in Summer 2025 by collecting donations and pledges, construction to follow and be completed by the end of the year. With your support, we can make it a reality.

If you would like to learn more or discuss how you can help, please reach out to our Board President, Cassie Fiedler, at (515) 370-0389.

Thank you for your belief in our children, your trust in our vision, and your unwavering investment in the future of rural Iowa.

With appreciation and shared hope,
Whitney Minnehan, Director
On behalf of the PCELC Board of Directors
Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center
📞 (515) 389-3129
✉️ pcelc.director@gmail.com
📮 PO Box 125, Churdan, IA 50050

Scan QR Code or Click to go to our fundraising page

https://www.zeffy.com/donation-form/new-building-project

Click to donate via Venmo

https://venmo.com/u/pcelc