INDIANAPOLIS — A child care on the Indianapolis east side is trying to spread the message of hope, as families weather the pandemic and battle continued violence in their communities.
“A lot of parents were very worried about bringing their children back,” says Keyana Williams, Angels of Hope Child Care Ministry director. “So we had to put a lot of different systems in place, different processes.”
The Black business owner says it was difficult keeping the doors open at Angels of Hope Child Care Ministry on the east side at the beginning of the pandemic.
“Making sure we have open line of communications with all parents and staff,” says Williams, “and making sure that we are accommodating not just the children’s needs for the parents needs.”
It was important making families feel comfortable and safe bringing their kids there. Though attendance is down right now, at about half capacity, Williams knows this service is critical to her community.
“It was really important for me to open on this side of town because I wanted to bring a positive impact to the neighborhood. I don’t think there was — you may say, a shortage of — quality childcare and that’s something that we do bring to the community.”
As the city and nation fight against racial injustices and lead important discussions on race right now, Williams wanted to make a statement of her own and do something to bring her community together, as well.
“I decided to get the message out, we are right off the highway, to let them know that black lives do matter. But we need to also make sure that we are taking into consideration and making sure that Black Lives Matter to ourselves as well.”
She had a local artist paint Black Lives Matter outside her center to bring together a community in a time of division and divisiveness, and put the emphasis back on raising your neighbors, and raising your children, up.
“I remember my grandmother used to say it takes a village to raise your child. And I totally understand that. But we have moved away from that. And I think we should get back to that.”
Williams has two daycare locations at 5040 Thompson Rd. and 2120 N. Emerson.
They are currently enrolling kids, ages 1-13 years old, and have availability for e-learning students.
