Ideas

Jon Mitchell
Mayor | New Bedford, MA

ARPA: New Bedford Expanding Access to High Quality Child Care

Idea Category: Child Care | Funding Source: American Rescue Plan

Even before the pandemic, New Bedford faced a shortage of childcare enrollment slots, particularly in high-quality facilities. In order to increase the supply of high-quality early learning, childcare, and out-of-school time care opportunities in New Bedford, Mayor Jon Mitchell released an RFP for capital costs associated with new or expanded childcare and educational facilities. Ultimately, NorthStar Learning Centers was awarded $2 million to build a new childcare facility, leverages an additional $7 million of funds raised in support of the project.

NorthStar Learning Centers, Inc. is a people-of-color-led nonprofit multi-service organization born out of the civil rights movement in New Bedford in 1974. NorthStar serves some of our city’s highest-need children and families. All but a very small number of the young children they serve are funded by state vouchers for family economic and/or child safety reasons. When completed, it will expand NorthStar’s early childhood education and care capacity will increase from 79 children to 134 children; an increase of 70%. In addition to providing childcare, NorthStar will offer a regular schedule of Parenting Education and support programs with a focus on young children

More Idea’s From Jon Mitchell

ARPA Case Study: New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell Expands Access to Early Childhood Education

Idea Category: American Rescue Plan Act, Education, Funding | Funding Source: ARP

Bexar County District Court Judge Monique Diaz: Survivors of Domestic Violence

Idea Category: Criminal Justice, Public Safety | Funding Source: ARP

ARPA: New Bedford Supporting the Arts and Culture Sector

Idea Category: Equity & Opportunity, Jobs and Entrepreneurship | Funding Source: ARP

ARP: New Bedford, MA Supports New Mixed-Income Housing

Idea Category: Housing | Funding Source: ARP

ARP: New Bedford MA, Invests in Small Businesses

Idea Category: Jobs and Entrepreneurship | Funding Source: ARP

New Bedford Wind Energy Center

Idea Category: Climate Change | Funding Source: ARP