Sisters of the Sacred Heart Launch Fundraiser for Daycare Expansion

The Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, are seeking financial support to expand their daycare center, which currently serves 13 children while another 30 remain on a waiting list. The need for additional space is pressing, as the convent has received direct inquiries from parents eager to enroll their children. Sister Margherita Ianni expressed the emotional toll of turning away families in need: “It breaks my heart to have to say that we don’t have the space,” she said.

The daycare, located on Granville Street, currently operates with two rooms. Plans are in place to add two more rooms, a dedicated playroom, and an elevator to accommodate children with different needs. Sister Ianni announced that construction will begin this spring regardless of the fundraising outcome, with an estimated cost of around $2 million.

“We put our trust in the Lord that He will send donations to us through generous people who are willing to help us in this work,” Sister Ianni stated. The call for assistance has spread through community word of mouth and social media platforms. She highlighted that many current donors are those who “really don’t have much to give” but are motivated to contribute.

Peter Brown, a contractor with Bayside Builders, has been collaborating with the convent on planning the daycare expansion for approximately three years. He noted that previous work included the installation of egress windows in the building’s basement last year. “This just all ties into the organic growth of families and faith in P.E.I.,” Brown said. He emphasized the critical need for childcare facilities, stating, “We can’t have families coming to P.E.I. if we don’t have housing, and you can’t have people staying and working if we don’t have daycare.”

The province has seen a significant influx of immigration, particularly from the Philippines, since 2018, with many newcomers settling in Summerside. The convent houses two Filipino sisters who can bridge communication with this community, further amplifying the daycare’s significance for families seeking support.

One of those families is led by Ashley Ramos, who moved to P.E.I. more than a decade ago. A mother of three, she has witnessed firsthand the positive impact the daycare has had on her children. “Kids will learn from us, we’ll learn from our kids,” Ramos remarked, emphasizing the daycare’s role in character development and guidance.

Another parent, Don Koebrich, has two children enrolled at the daycare, including a young son with special needs. He expressed gratitude for the nurturing environment, stating, “The foundation is being built of strength, independence, intelligence.” Koebrich believes that the skills gained at the daycare prepare children well for their transition to kindergarten and beyond.

The sense of community fostered by the daycare is palpable. Koebrich noted, “We feel very blessed that we’re a part of this because it’s not only a place to drop your kids off during the day; it’s a community and that’s a great place to be.”

As the Sisters of the Sacred Heart embark on this ambitious expansion project, the hope is that the generosity of Prince Edward Islanders will help transform the daycare into a space that can accommodate more children and better serve the growing community. The urgency of the situation underscores the importance of collective support in meeting the needs of families in Summerside.