When Milwaukee’s 4C for Children’s growing client base had its leaders thinking about a move, they decided to buy instead of continuing to lease for the added flexibility and savings over time. They’ve been in their new building since April 6.
IFF’s $627,000 loan helped the agency to buy its first home in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood and cover moving costs. The building size — larger than the previously leased space — will help 4C for Children train more providers to improve quality child care programs. In fact, the agency hired five new employees as a result of the bigger space.
“When I approached IFF, the conversations were about 4C’s mission, history, and future instead of just about loan terms and the bottom line,” said Jack McCommon, the agency’s executive director. “IFF actually cared about our mission and how providing a permanent home and more space would help us. The bottom line for me was about IFF and 4C becoming a partner in the community. 4C would not be in our new home without IFF.”
The agency plays a lead role in implementing YoungStar, Wisconsin’s quality improvement system for child care providers. Its new location is expected to deliver savings through lower mortgage payments and offers more classroom and administrative space for staff. 4C for Children also has locations in Racine/Kenosha, Waukesha, and West Bend and provides child care training in six Wisconsin counties.