Student spreads the wordBy: Amber Davis
– Staff Writer –
Lucretia Wilks has a lot on her shoulders at 32.
Wilks, STLCC-Meramec student, said she is very passionate, devoted, and optimistic about her future in opening a nonprofit child care facility, called “Their Future’s Bright – Child Care Development Center.” The goal for this center is to provide a safe, affordable and caring environment while the childrens’ parents are away.
Wilks came into Meramec with her associate degree and is working towards her doctorate degree. A doctorate degree is usually required for positions in government facilities that deal with teaching and/or psychology. By getting this degree, it will help accomplish her goals to open a nonprofit child care development.
The purpose of this child care development is to “provide a safe and caring environment while their parents are away,” said Wilks.
Wilks has many ideas to make this center different than the other child care centers. One of the goals of this facility is to help middle class families by giving them a 30 percent discount off of the price to hold their children there. Normally for an infant child to be looked after would cost apporximately $300, but if considered middle class, a 30 percent discount is given, reducing the cost to $270.
“Everyone is having a hard time, and no family should have to sacrifice a child’s needs for groceries,” said Wilks about why she will provide this discount with families who cannot afford much.
Another idea that Wilks said she had envisioned is a special needs program in the facility. She hopes to work with special needs children and help them grow as a happy healthy child. The building will have hands-on nursing staff, for any special needs or a medically ill child that needs attention too.
“I want to provide a safe medical environment for the medically ill,” said Wilks about having nurses on staff at the child care development center.
Wilks has experience with children and other places where they need help. She volunteers at places where they help infants whose mother was on drugs while being pregnant with that child, children homes, and also assisting the elderly at nursing homes.
“I have always loved helping children, when I was younger I always thought going into law was what I want to do, since my initials are L.A.W. But I know now that I love assisting children, so this is what I want to do,” said Walks about her passion on building a facility to help and care for children.
Wilks also co-hosts a radio Wishow, Reba Green Troop. It’s an interactive talk show on KXEN-AM on Monday at 7:30. The host of the show is Wilk’s pastor, Reba Green, at Church of Christ located at 12025 Riverview Drive on Spanish Lake, Mo.
Having such a busy life, Wilks is still determined and passionate about opening her “Their Future’s Bright – Child Care Development Center.” Wilks says she has been looking at different facilities around North County, but has not yet found one yet. She said she is hoping to get everything ready, find a building, raise enough money, set up a website, and find the right staff all finalized by fall next year.
Wilks has been working on getting sponsorships and grants. She is seeking donations and her business is going to make their own fundraisers as well to raise money.
“Grants only cover about 20 percent and there is still 80 percent that we need help for,” said Wilks about the money to go towards the facility.
“I am a proud student at St. Louis Community College, and I am excited to see the development of the non for profit child care that is here to help financial relief for parents. Please help any funding or if you have any early childhood skills to help this life changing organization,” said Wilks.
