Early Childhood Alliance: Holding Care in Place

Closure Became a Real Possibility

In the summer of 2025, Early Childhood Alliance (ECA) confronted the possibility of permanent closure. After more than seventy years serving families in Fort Wayne through center-based care, declining reserves, lost funding, and fixed operating costs left the Beacon Street center without sufficient resources to continue operating.

As the board faced that reality, it began discussions with Ambassador Enterprises (AE) and Sherry Grate, Senior Vice President of Public Impact Investing, to explore whether there was still a way forward.

Determining Whether Care Could Continue

Leaders from ECA and Ambassador’s Impact Investing team continued discussions through July and August as Ambassador considered whether to step into the work. They reviewed financials, staffing, and day-to-day operations to understand whether the organization could continue. Parkview Health, owner of the Beacon Street facility, was consulted about needed repairs and the property’s future. It became clear ECA could not sustain operations, and enrolled families would lose care if it closed. “Families were already enrolled and relying on consistent care,” said Sherry. “If care was going to continue, it had to continue without disruption.”

Building a Path Forward

After internal deliberation, AE’s executive team committed to moving forward. A new governance structure was created, and the legal framework for a reverse merger was prepared.

In early September, the Early Childhood Alliance board approved a merger with EverRootED, a newly formed 501(c)(3) created to facilitate a reverse merger. Early Childhood Alliance retained its name as the transition took place. A new three-person board was established, chaired by Sherry Grate, with Patty Crisp assuming the role of Executive Director. As part of a previously planned transition, Parkview later donated the Beacon Street property to ECA.

Keeping Care Steady Through Transition

With the merger completed, new leadership took control of financial management and operating systems. Urgent repairs needed at Beacon and an additional Wayne Street location were completed while daily program operations continued.

During this period, the outgoing CEO stayed involved through a phased departure, securing interim scholarship funding for enrolled families while new leadership assumed oversight.

By the end of 2025, Early Childhood Alliance continued its operations under new leadership. Beacon Street services and ECA’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program remained in place. Ongoing concerns about longer-term funding, enrollment recovery, and facility issues continue to shape leadership priorities as the organization moves into its next phase.