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Community Corner

Eagle Scout Project Benefits UCM's Bryant Early Learning Center

Max Metter --Boy Scout in Alexandria Troop 654 (St. Luke's Episcopal Church) -- has designed and built a new large outdoor storage shed  for his Eagle Scout project at the playground of UCM’s Bryant Early Learning Center.  A sophomore at West Potomac High School, Max led a team of volunteers to build the shed onsite on Saturday, February 22.  Pictured is Max, second from right, handing off the keys to Center Director Torria Baker at far right, along with Max’s father and a Pre-K teacher.

“Because of Max’s dedication and hard work, our young children will have unlimited access to riding toys, art, dramatic play, and science activities on the playground,” says Baker.  “On behalf of all our students and staff -- and all of us at UCM -- we say thank you and salute Max and his team.”

More photos of the shed-in-process are at UCM's facebook page:click here.

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UCM’s Bryant Early Learning Center(www.bryantearlylearningcenter.org) is an early care and learning program in Alexandria.  Since 1986, the Center has provided safe, affordable, developmentally appropriate, full-day early childhood education that meets the learning, social, and emotional development needs of children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, many of them low-income.  The enriching, multicultural environment also offers parental support to improve parenting skills and makes referrals for special-needs children who might not otherwise receive needed services.  The Center provides a full-time Child Development Specialist to screen and assess children and to identify any delays early, so they can be recognized and treated.

The Bryant Early Learning Center is currently enrolling for openings in the Toddlers Room (ages 16 - 23 months) and the Infants Room (ages 6 weeks – 15 months).  Contact Director Torria Baker at torria.baker@ucmagency.org or call the main office weekdays at (703) 765-0909.

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United Community Ministries (UCM) provides the vital connection between people in need and the people committed to helping them thrive. UCM services include:

Immediate Help.  For families and individuals in crisis, UCM provides food, financial aid, and counseling.

Education and Employment.  Services such as job training and coaching, full-day early care and learning, ESL and citizenship classes, and parental education help people achieve stability.

Community Engagement.  UCM’s neighborhood centers, with after-school programs and leadership training, engage youth and families in broader social networks for success.

Last fiscal year, thanks to generous community support, UCM provided life-changing assistance County to 4,392 families in south Fairfax County.

Like “UCM of Alexandria” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UCM.Alexandria

Follow UCM on Twitter: @UCMAlex

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