Ashley Lindstrom is the founder of the Whistlestop Learning Center in Thompsonville. She gave us an update on the Center.
Three years ago Ashley appeared at one of our meetings and told us of her plan to open a child care facility in the abandoned Odd Fellows Hall in Thompsonville. She explained that in Benzie County child care facilities were few and far between --especially in the Thompsonville corner of the county.
Ashley said that with a capacity of around 50 children (from toddlers to school age) the Center would have a positive impact on both students and parents within the community. To some, Ashley's vision for the old building may have seemed far fetched, but with a lot of hard work and support from others her projections have come true.
Ashley's initial fiduciary on the project until they acquired nonprofit status, was the United Way of Northwest Michigan. Subsequent supporters have included our Foundation and STAMP (from the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church), among others. Of the original eight employees at Whistle Stop six are still there. Whistlestop's rating from the Great Starts to Quality program has increased to four, with five being the highest. This has allowed her to receive state financial support and thus to not have to raise tuition from the original level in 2022.
Whistlestop has also offered community events to their families and residents in the area including their Thanksgiving potluck, an Easter egg hunt and a summer camp for elementary students. An impressive performance indeed!
To view a recording of Ashley's presentation, click the following link: https://youtu.be/VWFDwExcJVA