Our Story

A decision by a senior church member to step up to care for a veteran’s young daughter in 2016, was the inspiration for the latest expansion of the Zion Education campus in Farrell, PA this month

On Friday, Sept. 25, a special ribbon-cutting and grand opening will be held for Gigi’s Heavenly Care spotlighting the need in the community for non-traditional hours of childcare for younger children. The name honors the late Pauline Phillips of Farrell, who stepped up to provide care during nights and weekends when traditional centers were closed. it will be an intergenerational mentoring model along with comprehensive services provided at the Farrell campus which includes free early learning classrooms, childcare services and their CYPEN Rapid Response Team for child care providers in Mercer, Venango, and Crawford counties.

Inspiration

“Inspired by Ms. Phillips, a four-generational team stepped up to provide a continuum of care for that child,” said CEO Dr. Torrence. “From her mother, her Nana Dr. April Torrence, who provided infant/toddler care through Zion Education Center, and Gigi, who provided nontraditional-hours care.”

Ms. Phillips was also an inspirational pioneer in the Farrell community and a civil rights advocate. “Her grace and heart for taking care of her community was exemplified by the example she provided by all she did for her community and for her loved ones,” said Dr. Torrence.

“We’re calling it the ‘Gigi Model,” said Dr. Torrence. “Pauline Phillips became the inspiration for an intergenerational caregiving model connecting children and families with trusted grandmothers who offer care, wisdom, mentoring, and family support. She was known as Gigi to the young child she cared for. Gigi’s Heavenly Place was the outcome.”

The Need for Expansion

Her example of the continuum of childcare needed brought to the forefront the necessity in the community for non-traditional hours of childcare for younger children. And after doing additional research, Dr. April Torrence, CEO/Founder of Zion Education Center in Farrell, made the decision to expanding the offerings of her childcare.

Our Strategic Vision

With your partnership, we are launching a focused initiative to enhance our capacity and service delivery. This project includes:

Your Investment in the Future

When you give to this new program of Zion Education Center, you are not just making a donation; you are investing in the tangible growth of a child. Your contribution ensures that we can continue to offer the individualized attention that defines this new center.

Every dollar helps us:

Expanding our specialized development programs for early childhood education.
Increasing our scholarship fund to ensure financial barriers do not prevent enrollment.
Enhancing our facility security to maintain the trusting environment our families rely on.

Join Our Community of Supporters

By joining hundreds of other local supporters, you help provide the stability required for children to thrive. We invite you to join us in this investment in our community's youngest members.

Make Your Gift Today

Support Gigi's Heavenly Care Center

An Intergenerational Extended Hours Care Center for Infants and Toddlers