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On April 24, First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange and local nonprofit DASH (Dependable Affordable Sustainable Housing) announced that they have started the Groundspring Initiative.

“Groundspring addresses some of the greatest challenges childcare centers and families are navigating today,” reads the press release from FPC.

The initiative aims to provide free housing to teachers at the church’s child care center. In Groundspring’s pilot phase, two teachers, Cordaisha “DayDay” King and Quitta Smith, have been selected to receive a free housing benefit. 

King, a 27-year-old, has worked at the church for around six years. She figured out early that this line of work was for her. 

“My love for kids has increased…even outside of work. I’m always on duty. I’m always playing with a baby somewhere. 

Having rent paid for gives King a brighter future. 

“By providing them with housing, we are not only giving them a place to call home but are also investing in their future,” said LaTasha Owens, Director of the FPC Childcare Center. “This initiative will empower them to focus on their professional development and personal ambitions, knowing that their basic needs are taken care of.”

King said the program is an opportunity to build savings. The teacher hopes to go back to school and get a degree in childcare or business and save for a future home. Whatever the future holds for King, she knows it will involve childcare in one way or another. 

“My favorite part is interacting with the kids because we got so many different emotions,” King laughed. “You have the ones that just come in crying and ones that want to just run, you got the ones that let you hug on them all day…I love it.” 

King said the process was smooth. She had applied and interviewed with the board. She was not only excited to find out she had been chosen, but that Smith was her fellow recipient. The pair had worked at a previous daycare together and are close.  

“It is no secret that our early childhood education system faces its fair share of growing edges, specifically in the areas of just compensation of teachers and in the supply — or lack thereof — of fully affordable, accessible centers,” said Rev. James Goodlet, Lead Pastor of FPC. “We hope Groundspring represents the first step of a much larger movement at First Presbyterian Church seeking to address these critical issues in our community.”

The program is modeled after a rent-free teacher housing initiative established by Friends Center for Children in New Haven, CT. As such, Groundspring is the second program nationwide to provide a free housing benefit for its teachers.

“FPC approached us looking to make a difference in the community outside of the walls of the church. Through several brainstorming sessions, we arrived at the conclusion that housing is a desperate need for many in our community,” Nate Crawford, Executive Director of DASH said.

Crawford shared that while DASH has partnered on many projects, Groundspring is unique to them.

“In this case, housing is not the main goal, but a key supporting factor in creating better outcomes for childcare workers and children in the daycare/preschool program,” Crawford said.

“You have some bills that are now [taken] care of for you,” King said. “The program just offers great opportunities, and I’m just blessed that they actually chose this church and this church has said, ‘hey, we got some employees in need of housing’…I’m just blessed they actually chose me and gave me the opportunity.”