YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Children’s Aid Society Southern PA District is a nonprofit that serves Adams, Franklin, and York Counties.

“Our vision is all children are safe and feel loved,” said Children’s Aid Society Southern PA District president and CEO Eric Chase.

The organization is in the process of building a new 18,000 square foot facility in a parking lot on West Poplar Street in the City of York.

Currently, the Children’s Aid Society Southern PA District in the City of York operates in this building on West Market Street.

This location offers child-centered creative art therapy, a 24-hour crisis nursery which is one of three in the state, 24-hour caregiver hotline, family advocate services, parent education and support groups.

“We’ve kind of grown…and we started dreaming. What would it look like if. What would it look like if we expanded our services?” said Chase.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

With the growing need for help, Chase says they will build, ‘Werner Early Learning Childcare Center.’

Services at the current building will move to the new building while also adding services including daycare during the day and overnight.

“A great need in our community, as you know, and in our state, is is childcare quality childcare. 85% of our childcare facilities in York are at 85% capacity. Most of them have 50 plus kids on a waitlist,” said Chase.

Plus, child-centered play and psychotherapies, gently used kids clothing and toy bank, the crisis nursery will double the number of children they can server to 16.

So, what about the building they will be moving out of?

“My vision is to create family type suites where maybe two families are on a floor. They have a bedroom for their children, a bedroom for themselves, and a bathroom that they share. They share kitchens and living rooms…and that would allow our homeless families in the community transition from homelessness to habitat without breaking their family up,” said Chase.

Chase says the project is expected to cost about $6.9 million. It’s being paid through grants and donations. The hope is to open in early 2025.

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