Denver nonprofit opens affordable preschool to help meet community need

Three-year-old Eliana Rivas is finishing a summer program and gearing up to join dozens of peers ages 2.5-5 for the new school year.

"It's really important to me more because she had a speech delay, so now that she's coming full-time to school, she's talking more, interacting more," said Eliana's mom, Cindy Corado.

For Eliana's family and many others that live near Denver's Cole neighborhood, the school is a blessing after the early childhood education center that previously operated in the Tramway Nonprofit Center abruptly closed.

"It really affected a lot of parents because it happened like in a second," said Cristina Casillas, the Director of ViVe Wellness Preschool, who also worked at the previous preschool Early Excellence. "Just overwhelmed, sad, confused because they didn't know what other program to go to."

"I think for two, three months we've had families come and call knock on our door wondering if we would open something like it," explained Yoli Casas, the Executive Director of ViVe Wellness.

That's when ViVe Wellness, a Denver nonprofit, next door stepped in to help.

"As the community kept coming, you know, I remembered our mission," said Casas. "It's like you know, we hear, and why not give it a shot?"

And with more help from the community fixing up the space, the school is now open.

"We're going to continue with the same mission of ViVe, it's affordability, making sure that we serve communities," said Casas.

Tuition runs about 10% of household income for up to 45 hours of school per week.

"Childcare is really expensive," said Corado. "Right here in ViVe, like when I found it, I was like, okay, I can do this."

Staff at the ViVe Wellness Preschool are eager to serve the community in a new way, with more spots still open for enrollment.

"Every child deserves quality school," said Casas.

Those interested in enrolling their child call at (720) 440-1235 or visit vivewellness.org.