Ticonderoga, NY – Silver Bay YMCA is excited to announce that the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust has awarded Silver Bay’s Ticonderoga Community Early Learning Center (TCELC) a $50,000 grant to support the operation of the facility.  

The TCELC is currently serving 52 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years with its high-quality, community-based, curriculum-driven early learning center.   The center aims to fill a critical gap in early childhood services and empower working families through reliable care and school readiness programs.  

Walt Lender, Silver Bay YMCA’s VP of development and government relations shed some light on the childcare crisis.  

“Access to reliable childcare is not only a family issue – it’s a critical economic infrastructure investment for rural communities like Ticonderoga. 80 percent of enrolled children come from low-income working families who qualify for state childcare vouchers.”  

In 2025, when a state-wide childcare crisis emerged, Silver Bay YMCA in collaboration with local leaders, and residents, mobilized private philanthropy to ensure the TCELC could remain open. Together, more than $250,000 was raised to support scholarships and offset the funding shortfall left by delayed state reimbursements.  

To this day, state childcare funds remain insufficient to meet ongoing operating expenses.  

“We are extremely grateful for the support the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust has shown us. Early learning centers are not only beneficial for the development of young minds, but reliable childcare is essential for local employers. Silver Bay takes immense pride in the fact that by offering childcare services, we are in return supporting healthcare providers, schools, manufactures, hospitality businesses, and small businesses throughout southern Essex, northern Warren, and northern Washington counties,” stated Silver Bay YMCA CEO Lucas Callahan.  

Michael Hanifin, the executive director of the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust wrote to Lender in the award letter, “It is the mission of the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust to utilize the power of giving to empower and transform the lives of those facing extraordinary adversity. We are happy to partner with, and assist you in your important mission of providing reliable and affordable childcare to those in need.”  

To learn more about the Ticonderoga Community Early Learning Center or to donate to the early learning center, visit silverbay.org/early-learning-center/ or call 518.585.7433.