Nonprofit Raritan Daycare In Need Of New Roof, Fundraiser Started

RARITAN, NJ — After almost a year of patchwork, the nonprofit childcare center in Raritan, The Learning Gate, is in need of a new roof. A fundraiser was started to help raise funds to cover the $20,000 price tag.

"In the past, we had been doing patchwork instead of fixing it but it is now showing the wear and we need to replace it," said Chris Blount, director of The Learning Gate at 816 Old York Road in Raritan.

Blount said the $20,000 would cover replacing the roof, repairing gutters, removing the solar panels and putting them back on, and also address an area under the fire escape.

"It's created a lot of issues and problems," said Blount of the roof.

The nonprofit childcare center has been offering affordable child care for children from birth up to 6 years old since 1967. Its mission is to "serve the community at large with a focus on ensuring that all families, regardless of income, have access to quality early childhood education."

"We have a very good mix of families. A lot of cultures here, we are very diverse economically," said Blount.

Blount, who joined the Learning Gate community in March 2020 right when the pandemic hit, said the center has been doing everything it can to survive.

"I was here for two days before I had to tell everyone we had to close down," said Blount. "One of the things I found quickly, the main driving force behind the Learning Gate is the staff and teachers. Every parent that walks through the door loves the staff. They felt safe and secure and their children are happy here. Before and after the pandemic."

As a nonprofit, the Somerset County Dept of Human Services, Community Childcare Solutions, and the North Branch Reformed Church, have been instrumental in keeping The Learning Gate going throughout the pandemic.

Anyone looking to donate or for more information can click here. Or checks can be mailed to the Learning Gate at 816 Old York Road, Raritan, NJ 08869.

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.