Ecorse Childcare Center Serving Downriver for Nearly 30 Years

We Care Child Development Center in Ecorse began welcoming children into its care in the spring of 1992. A ministry of New Greater Bethlehem Temple, We Care Child Development Center was founded by Pastor Bishop Anthony V. Price and his wife, Phyllis.

"It was a need," Price explains of the decision to open the childcare center. "It's not even about the money, it's about the need because we're not really able to make any money off it." He further explains the location in Ecorse does not allow for the center to charge the same costly expense for childcare one might pay in the northern suburbs or at private schools. But Price, a product of Ecorse and Ecorse schools himself says his goal has not been to make an ample profit but rather to be a blessing to working parents in downriver communities.

Price is Senior Pastor at New Greater Bethlehem Temple on 16th Street, which is only a brief walking distance from We Care Child Development Center, which is located at the corner of 16th Street and Visger Road. The center is licensed by the state of Michigan and is a combination day care center and pre-school, serving families with children from birth to 12 years old. We Care offers breakfast, lunch and snacks for each child. Transportation services to and from the center back home are offered as well, a service Price says is welcome by many a working parent.

The center strives to provide each child in its care with an educational experience. All preschool teachers are state-certified. The center offers a Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Michigan's state-funded pre-school program for four-year olds which is administered by the Michigan Department of Education. The center also serves families receiving support through Michigan's Family Independence Agency. In the summer months, We Care Child Development Center has programs for older school-aged children.

Though the childcare center is a ministry of the church, staff member and teacher Tonya Jones-Elias emphasizes that educational curriculums do not include religious doctrine. What makes this childcare center stand out from competitors? "By the love for the children that we have," she says. "We actually have repetitive business; we have a set of children that are here right now that their mothers went to this center. So word of mouth is how our business stays and thrives."

Price says Ecorse is home and the childcare center is open to serve residents with young children. He recalls when the city was a vibrant business sector and is hopeful Ecorse will be that way again, and adds that is why he stays. "I've had opportunity to close, but I didn't close, we stayed open because parents have to work. They need somebody to keep their children, so we stayed open even during the COVID, the Lord told us to stay open and that's what we did," he says. "At the end of the day, our children are first.

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We Care Child Development Center is located at 503 Visger Road and is currently enrolling children for its programs. Find out more by calling 313-381-2118 or contact them at [email protected]. Visit the center's website at http://www.wecaretonya.squarespace.com