Dear Friends,
I am excited to share the news that Gladiolus Learning and Development Center (GLAD) is now part of The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center family, and will be known as GLAD Kids. You may have noticed the new building colors!
GLAD has served children birth to 5 years as an early learning center for more than 40 years. Located on Gladiolus Drive, very close to The Heights Center, the mission of GLAD has been to ensure low-income families have quality, affordable childcare. This program gives children the chance to read, learn and play in a safe environment while their parents work to provide for their families.
GLAD is a preferred VPK Provider of Lee County Schools, has APPLE Accreditation and Gold Seal Status, and a 5 STAR rating from the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.
The addition of GLAD Kids to the work of The Heights Center increases our impact and outreach in The Harlem Heights neighborhood. It allows us to expand our continuum of care and education to the youngest children in the neighborhood. In addition, GLAD families will benefit from The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center programs including GED and ESOL classes, visual and performing arts classes, culinary job training and social services.
As we welcome the GLAD staff to The Heights family, we are also pleased to announce that Melanie Holaway will join our team as GLAD Kids Director of Early Childhood Education. Melanie has been working as a consultant and has been instrumental in the successful acquisition and transition of GLAD Kids to The Heights family. Her experience includes leadership roles in the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, Edison State College (now FSW) Preschool and Lee Health’s Child Development Center. Blanca Acosta, who has been with GLAD for more than 30 years, will serve as Community and Family Involvement Specialist.
Look for further information as we will officially celebrate with a ribbon-cutting in January, and make an even bigger announcement.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Kelly
Founder, President and CEO
The Heights Foundation/The Heights Center/and now GLAD Kids
