To Rev. James T. Gregory, St. Luke Parish leadership, the Archdiocese of Hartford, and community leaders:

We, the undersigned parents, families, staff, alumni, and members of the Southington community, are asking for every possible avenue to be explored to save St. Luke Daycare, formerly St. Dominic Child Care Center, from closing.

On September 23, 2026, families were informed that St. Luke Daycare will permanently close at the end of the day on December 24, 2026. The letter explained that the decision resulted from ongoing financial challenges facing the parish and the difficulty of sustaining daycare operations over the long term.

We understand that these financial concerns are real. However, closing the daycare should not be the only option considered.

For generations of families, this center has been more than a place to leave their children while they work. It has provided stability, trusted caregivers, early childhood education, friendships, and a community in which children and families have formed lasting relationships.

The closure will affect not only the children currently enrolled, but also their parents, the dedicated employees who care for them, and families throughout Southington who depend on access to reliable child care.

We respectfully ask St. Luke Parish and the Archdiocese of Hartford to pause the permanent closure process long enough to openly explore alternatives that could preserve the daycare.

These alternatives could include:

• Transferring ownership or operation of the daycare to another nonprofit, child-care organization, or independent operator
• Partnering with another local organization
• Exploring community fundraising, sponsorships, grants, or charitable support
• Evaluating whether tuition, enrollment, staffing, or operational changes could create a sustainable model
• Forming a parent/community committee to assist in identifying potential operators, donors, partners, or other solutions
• Our request is not that the parish simply ignore its financial challenges. We are asking for the opportunity to determine whether a sustainable path exists before a valued community resource is permanently lost.

The September announcement itself recognized the dedication, quality, and commitment of the daycare's staff. We believe that such a valued program deserves a meaningful effort to preserve it.

December 24 does not have to be the end of St. Luke Daycare.

We respectfully ask St. Luke Parish and the Archdiocese of Hartford to work with parents, staff, community members, local organizations, and potential new operators to explore every reasonable option to save St. Luke Daycare and keep its doors open for Southington families.

Please join us in asking St. Luke Parish to give this community the opportunity to find a way forward.