Latest news with #ChildCarePartners
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atmos Energy donates to Wichita Falls child care nonprofit
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — On Thursday, April 3, Atmos Energy donated thousands of dollars to a Wichita Falls nonprofit devoted to helping children. The natural gas energy company presented a $5,000 check to Child Care Partners as part of Atmos Energy's 'Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative to support kids' literacy programs.' Child Care Partners operates six child care centers across Wichita Falls and supports primarily low-income working families. 'Atmos Energy appreciates Child Care Partners' dedication to children and is honored to support its efforts,' Pam Hughes Pak, manager of public affairs at Atmos Energy, said in a press release. In 2024, Child Care Partners served approximately 300 children and their families. To learn more about Child Care Partners, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Parents and officials react to Vernon Child Care Partners closing
VERNON (KFDX/KJTL) — Throughout the week, we've brought news about Vernon Child Care Partners closing and the outrage from parents following the organization's reasons. Now, after speaking with individuals on both sides of this story, we have an update. Vernon Child Care Partners announced that it is forced to close due to financial struggles, pointing out that unpaid bills from parents were a factor. Of course, we know this isn't the case for all families in Vernon, but it was shown that 49 parents owed a little over $15,000 total. From what was gathered, that was just a drop in the bucket regarding the financial deficit within the facility, with the total being over $175,000. Frustrated parents are speaking out as Vernon Child Care Partners shuts its doors. 'Just be honest, be transparent. Be transparent with your staff, your family members. You're supposed to look out for the children and the community. And this doesn't do that. This put us all in more of a bind than it did helping us at this point.' Vernon parent, Megan Hernandez said. Interim Executive Director of Child Care Partners, Alicia Myrick said there are a multitude of reasons. 'The decision was a culmination of many months of trying to make things work. Many months of issues. Not getting funding, not getting grants that we had applied for and expected. Just miscommunication with different people. And not being able to really get a handle on the financial issues out there.' Myrick said. Parents said they were never made aware of any financial troubles and, in fact, were assured on January 7 by the center that they would not be closing, despite rumors. 'I think they should have communicated with us a lot earlier. If there was a financial issue going on. At least they could have told us. We could have donated in our community. We have people in our community that are willing to make sure that our children have a safe place to go.' Vernon parent, Deidre Roper, said. Myrick responded to this statement. 'So, I will say that I'm new to this position, and the leadership before was probably not as transparent as it should have been with regards to our financial position. But we did post on Facebook that we're a 501C3, that we're looking for donations, all of those things. We also did fundraisers throughout the year,' Myrick said. But that didn't stop the parents from asking questions. 'Why were grants not allowed to be written for Vernon, why was all money directed to Vernon automatically funneled to Wichita,' Hernandez said. Myrick addressed those claims. 'When we originally started this plan through the board, it was presented to us that we would be eligible for an $85,000 grant, but because of timelines and the way everything was turned in in and paper issues, we did not qualify for that. So, we didn't get any grants,' Myrick said. The center's problems in Vernon weren't only financial, though. 'When we first opened back in September and October, we did have two incidences of a child being left on a playground for a short period of time. That was remedied at that point in time through licensing. The leadership in charge at that time did not take steps to appropriately report it.' Myrick said. Child Care Partner officials said those responsible were terminated, and they take ownership for the mistake and lack of communication on the center's mounting problems overall. 'Communication with employees, with parents, with kids, with community partners, with everybody should have been a lot more transparent.' Myrick said. With this center in Vernon now closed, the focus is once again on the many children in the care of Child Care Partners in Wichita Falls. Child Care Partners always needs donations, especially in trying times like these. If you would like to donate,, visit Child Care Partners | Protecting Children and Strengthening Families. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remembering Remarkable Women: Arthur Bea is the definition of ‘legendary'
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — As we continue to remember the remarkable women of Texoma who are no longer with us, we honor Arthur Bea Williams. Arthur Bea is a North Texas legend who paved many paths in Wichita Falls for future generations, and her impact is still seen and felt today. Her name is known across north Texas, and more often than not, people describe her in one word: legendary. Remembering Remarkable Women: Shirley Craft was 'a force to be reckoned with' 'We use the word legendary very sparingly, but when you talk about Arthur Bea, you can say legendary,' said former Wichita Falls mayor Stephen Santellana, listing how Arthur Bea changed North Texas history. 'First black city councilwoman, first black mayor, county judge, justice of the peace, [she's] been a part of this community for a long time.' A woman of many firsts, Arthur Bea was the definition of a trailblazer, shattering glass ceilings for herself and future generations. 'I see a woman who was born on the East Side who lived in the projects, that no one thought would amount to anything at all,' said Reverend Angus Thompson, a family friend and local pastor. 'She broke every barrier and set a standard that I think will be difficult for others to match regardless of race and financial means.' It's not just the example she set that continues to inspire. Her work as a dedicated volunteer for organizations like Child Care Partners and a mentor to students at Booker T. Washington Elementary directly impacted countless lives. Remembering Remarkable Women: Charlye Ola Farris made history practicing Texas law during segregation 'Ms. Arthur Bea would take our students from first grade all the way up to our fifth-grade students, and she would stay for hours mentoring students,' said Maurice Jordan, student success coordinator at Booker T. Washington. 'She didn't know what she was doing; she thought she was just trying to make it out of the projects,' remarked Rev. Thompson. 'What she did was help others see that they could get out of the projects and live a good life, too.' Arthur Bea is a North Texas Women's Hall of Fame honoree, the 2001 Wichitan of the Year and a North Texas Legend award winner. Her resume is filled with historic achievements that will live on for decades, but her kind and humble spirit makes Arthur Bea legendary. 'You never think about yourself as a legend; that's a pretty powerful word,' Arthur Bea said about herself. 'I was grateful and very honored, but I certainly wouldn't have thought of myself as a legend.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
