Head Start Occupies Former Community Center

posted 8/17/24 -- LCCAA Head Start returns to south Elyria this fall reviving what was once a staple for area young people.

Acting CEO Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. and LCCAA Board President Gerald Pippens were joined by directors and board members from Our F.A.M.I.L.Y. and officials from the City of Elyria to cut the ribbon at 107 Oberlin Road. The facility includes two classrooms and we serve up to 20 children thanks to an expansion grant Matelski wrote before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been a long time coming,” Matelski said. “We are thrilled to partner with the Taylors and thrilled to be back in South Elyria.

Our F.A.M.I.L.Y. founders Emma Jean and Bobby Taylor Sr. have owned the building since 2019. Before that, it was known in the 1970s and 1980s as the Elyria Neighborhood Center.

“I literally grew up in that building,” said the Taylor’s son, Bobby, who serves at LCCAA’s Planning and Community Services Director. “For many years, my parents would host Christmas parties for the community kids, Monday Night Football screenings, tutoring sessions, and my dad once had an office in the building helping area people with housing issues.”

After many years and occupants, the Taylors bought the building because they understood its significance to generations of Elyria’s families. Since 2020, they have used the commercial kitchen – outfitted with thousands of dollars of donations – to serve free meals and snacks through the Summer Food Service Program of the Ohio Department of Education.

For 2024, the program served 15,983 free meals and snacks to area children. The Taylors have also used the kitchen to create home delivered meals for seniors.

“It’s all about the community, all we do is what we think is best for the community,” Taylor Sr. said.

His son added: “Now, with this newly renovated, newly equipped, multi-purpose building, generations of kids and families will get to experience what I did. The center is back!”

The well-known building is also just a few blocks from Elyria’s Hamilton Elementary School. LCCAA Head Start last operated in south Elyria when the former Hamilton School closed. In 2021, LCCAA received an expansion grant to bring services back to the area. However, delays created by the pandemic and other issues elongated the timeline, Matelski said.

The center is expected to open, along with the rest of LCCAA Head Start classrooms, on Aug. 29.

There are still slots available. Start your child’s application today by visiting lccaaforms.net. If you have begun your application, contact us to complete it so your child doesn’t miss a moment!