NBCC's construction project at 932 C St. in the Hamilton area of Novato has been underway for nearly a decade.
North Bay Children’s Center celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art early learning campus and headquarters in Novato this week. The 20,000-square-foot facility doubles the nonprofit’s childcare capacity, replacing its aging building at 932 C St. in the Hamilton neighborhood.
Children’s Center staff, donors and other supporters gathered at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 27; California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom gave the keynote address before attendees toured the center’s new Innovative Learning Lab and its Garden of Eatin,’ and then enjoyed a cooking demonstration by Curtis Aiken, NBCC’s chef-in-residence. In addition to providing early childhood education and care for primarily lower-income working families, the campus will serve as headquarters for the 40-year-old nonprofit, which operates five locations in Novato, as well as nine across Sonoma County. The Hamilton facility will serve about 160 children ages 6 weeks to 4 years old; in all NBCC serves over 700 kids throughout the North Bay.
Construction on the nearly decade-long $12.5 million project is 90% complete; NBCC is in the process of raising a final $750,000 to close its capital campaign.
NBCC was founded in 1986 by Susan Gilmore, who still serves as CEO. Nearly 75% of its families live below the poverty line, according to NBCC. The nonprofit also provides parenting support, art therapy and trauma-informed services with the goal of ensuring kids are kindergarten ready.
