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Success Story: Felicia MannFelicia Mann SSJ-TOSF, founded and is the present Director of Marymount Child Care Center and Preschool.
"The impossible dream . . . isn't." As the Founder and Director, I believe these words sum up the success story of Marymount Child Care Center's innovative ministry which links the lives of toddles, preschoolers and school age children with retired Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis. From the beginning, I had the sense that this was a new venture that would fill many needs for the neighborhood and the Sisters at Marymount. Marymount Child Care Center opened its doors on September 3, 1991. Located in Garfield Heights, Ohio, Marymount Child Care Center can be found in the Marymount Congregational Home at 12215 Granger Road. Today the Center serves 140 children each week. In the last fourteen years of operation the Center served more than 2,200 children. As I reflect, I know that God wanted to see it happen, but the details were left to me. As an experienced teacher, administrator, Congregational Leader, Diocesan Supervisor and Pastoral Associate, I rolled up my sleeves to tackle everything from the design and construction of the classrooms to the hiring of the staff. I'm amazed that I learned so much about how to run a business from the ground up. The greatest challenge was not knowing anything about unemployment insurance, worker compensation, projecting budgets and many other workings of the business world. Working to become licensed by the State of Ohio also required facing many challenges that at times looked almost impossible to overcome. But I have to give credit to all the Sisters who not only prayed for the success of the Center but offered their support by opening their hearts and home to the scores of children that now invade the convent five days a week from 6:30 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. for preschool classes and child care. Having a great Staff is also one of the reasons for the stellar success of the Center. It is my belief that a leader can do only so much. But it is the Staff who does the day to day work that should be recognized as the reason for the Center's success. The presence of the Retired Sisters among the children enhances the work of the Center. Parents are happy that their children come in contact with the Sisters. It helps to foster the caring religious environment that makes the Marymount Child Care a special place. Of course, the children also have a positive effect on the Sisters. The children make the Sisters feel alive. Most of the Sisters are former teachers who've loved children all their lives. I know having the children in this Home has helped to make it a more joyful place for all! Contact Felicia:
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2600 Lander Road · Pepper Pike, OH 44124 · 440-442-4160, Ext. 226 · FAX 440-442-4587 |
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We at the Center hope to create for the children a home away from home. We are dedicated to assisting parents in leading their children to Christian maturity. Our program is designed to foster the development of the whole child. Our Mission Statement is: Marymount Child Care Center will serve the whole child with loving care.