As a concerned parent in Portsmouth, OH, I have personally experienced the invaluable support and educational benefits provided by the Children's Learning Center at Shawnee State University. My first child has attended this center since birth, and we cherished its nurturing environment. Now, as we prepare to enroll our newborn, the urgent need to keep this vital facility open has never been clearer.

In our rural community, the closure of the Children's Learning Center would deepen the ongoing nationwide childcare crisis. The center doesn't just provide essential childcare services; it also serves as an indispensable educational lab for students in education studies. These future educators need hands-on experience, which this facility uniquely offers.

The importance of sustaining such a resource in Portsmouth, OH, cannot be overstated. According to the Center for American Progress, more than half of all Americans live in "child care deserts." Closing this center would push our community further into that category, depriving our children and education students of precious opportunities.

The Children's Learning Center plays a critical role not only by offering quality child care to young families like mine but also by acting as a cornerstone for educational development. Eliminating it would have severe repercussions on both the children who benefit from its nurturing care and the students who rely on it for learning essential teaching skills.

We implore Shawnee State University to reconsider any plans for closure and instead recognize the center’s contributions to the community and the field of education. Retaining this facility is crucial for the development and well-being of current and future generations.

Please join me in urging the administration to keep the Children's Learning Center open for the sake of our children, our students, and our community's future. Sign this petition to make our voices heard.