Nonprofit Partnership Spotlight: OUR Center and the Aspen Center for Child Development

In Longmont, Colorado, families moving into Ascent at Hover Crossing don't just get a new home, they get a front-row seat to their children's future. That's because built into the community from day one is a dedicated Early Childhood Education center, operated by OUR Center and its Aspen Center for Child Development.

Partnerships with nonprofits, which pair affordable housing with healthcare, supportive services, and early childhood education, are the foundation of how Pennrose helps residents thrive. OUR Center is exactly the kind of partner we look for: mission-driven, deeply embedded in the community, and committed to the families we both serve.

As part of our Nonprofit Partnership Spotlight, we sat down with the OUR Center team to learn more about what this partnership means for Longmont families.

Tell us about your organization. What is your mission, and how does it come to life through the work you do every day?

The Aspen Center for Child Development is one of the few Reggio Emilia-inspired early care and education settings on the Front Range. Guided by the deep belief in children's right as citizens to a high-quality early childhood experience, we're dedicated to a curriculum that is responsive to the children's interests and the culture of our community. This philosophy comes alive every day through play-based, child-led learning where teachers serve as guides, supporting exploration in welcoming, engaging spaces.

Why did your organization choose to partner with an affordable housing provider, and what made this collaboration feel like the right fit?

Given the abundance of need in our community for quality childcare and the growing demand for enrollment at the Aspen Center, the expansion to Ascent at Hover Crossing made perfect sense. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to remove barriers and increase access for families who need it most.

What does this partnership mean for the residents and community members you serve? Can you share an example of the impact you have seen firsthand?

An early childhood center and children's homes on the same property will cut barriers to access and strengthen connections between home and school, an important indicator of children's success in school and beyond.

We've already seen the power of integrated support firsthand through our staff tuition discount, which has allowed two dedicated teachers to remain employed with us while balancing their own family needs. This kind of holistic approach not only supports educators but ripples out to benefit the entire community.

What are your priorities and goals for the year ahead? How do you hope your work will benefit the community you serve?

Our main priorities are recruiting talented staff for the Hover Crossing location and amplifying the positive impact of this project throughout Longmont. We hope this new site will make high-quality early education more accessible, ease financial pressures on families, and foster stronger school-family connections that set children up for lifelong success.

We plan to open our classrooms on September 1st. To ensure accessibility, at least 50% of our slots will be offered on a sliding scale based on family income. We will prioritize families living at Ascent at Hover Crossing while also opening enrollment to income-qualified families throughout the broader Longmont community.

For those looking to make a difference in their communities, how could they support your organization and its mission?

We cannot achieve our mission without the generous support of our community. Here are meaningful ways to help:

• Spread the word about our program through word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Consider teaching or volunteer opportunities if you have a passion for early childhood education.
• Contribute through donations, including to our scholarship fund that helps keep care affordable.
• Support our new teaching staff through ongoing professional learning opportunities.
• As we set up and curate a welcoming, joyful environment at Hover Crossing, donations from our wish list or in-kind contributions of necessary supplies and materials would go a long way.

If you would like to learn more about OUR Center, please visit aspenchildcare.org or ourcenter.org.