FreedomBank Helps Secure Future Success for Local Childcare Providers

The Iowa childcare crisis affects not only parents and employers, but also the wider community. Accessible and affordable childcare is an essential aspect of regional economic development, along with housing and employment. As a responsible and supportive community partner, FreedomBank recently pledged funding that helped to secure daycare services for families and jobs for residents.

FreedomBank donated $5,000 to support two Northeast Iowa childcare initiatives, helping to maintain staffing and operations.

• $2,500 to Elkader Childcare's Community Partner Program to level up existing employee wages and sustain a competitive starting wage for new employees so they can provide childcare services to the surrounding community.
• $2,500 to the Postville Childcare Center's Wage Enforcement Fund, part of Allamakee County's partnership with the state of Iowa to increase the wages of childcare workers. For each dollar that is pledged, the state matches and donates back.

"As a local employer, we highly value the quality care and education that community daycare providers offer. We appreciate their dedication to catering to the needs of families in Northeast Iowa. We are happy to support these initiatives aimed at overcoming childcare shortages in the region," shared Kathy Mueller, CEO and President of FreedomBank.