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Hoeme retiring as day care nears loan payoff
by Rick DeClue · News · August 27, 2015
After marking its 31st year in operation, the West Branch Community Early Learning Center is working through two events that will affect its future.
The first is the retirement of longtime Director Dea Hoeme, scheduled for the end of August. The second is a push for an early payoff of a $16,000 loan to renovate the downstairs.
Hoeme served the center for 26 years in that capacity.
“She had the ability to make significant program changes through the years, and at the same time, provide the children and their families a safe, fun and professional place to be while parents went to work,” Helen Kudos, one of the founding parents, said, “Dea Hoeme exemplifies kindness and care for kids and understanding of the parents’ need for a quality, reliable child care program in West Branch.”
Kudos organized the first meeting in January 1984 of parties interested in forming a quality community-based day care. The non-profit operation, then known as the West Branch Community Day Care Center, opened six months later in July. Kudos’ two daughters both attended.
Other early supporters included then mayor Maxine Maher; Judy Cottingham, who served as the Center’s only other director during its first five years; L.C. Rummells, President of the West Branch Bank, who provided initial financial support; the Wildenburg family, who offered a house on Fifth Street as the Center’s first location; and Lisa Baum, another original parent.
“All along, there have been a lot of people stepping up to the plate,” Baum said.
Since its inception, the center has served over 700 children and employed approximately 400 care providers. In some cases, children who attended the center came back to work there later.
Baum said those coming back had a hands-on chance to develop their own child care and parenting skills.
The center has also served children of parents who attended the Center when they themselves were children, according to Kudos.
Serving children from infants to elementary school age in different programs, often with extended hours to accommodate working parents, provides a lot of flexibility, Kudos and Baum said.
The center wants to retire a $16,000 mortgage on its property, located at 400 Orange Street. The mortgage dates to 2008 when the center borrowed to finish its lower level and increase its capacity to 84 children.
Peggy Jeffries’ oldest daughter attended the Center when “things were tight for my family. We had three children in three years.”
Jeffries is working on the Center’s fundraising effort “as a way to pay something back,” she said.
Chris Marshall, president of the center’s board of directors, said the center covers much of its operating costs — “staffing and groceries” — through fees charged to families. Other funding sources include state support of certain activities and demographics, plus fundraising for specific needs or projects.
“Retiring the debt will provide flexibility for pursuing other facility, staffing and program improvements,” he said.
Future projects include improvements to the Center’s outdoor playground and equipment, as well as continued technology efforts.
Marshall said the Board has hired a new director, Lisa Moore, who started this month in order to spend time with Hoeme and become familiar with the center’s programs and culture. Moore has been a school teacher and, most recently, the assistant director of a North Liberty day care facility.
“Dea has hinted that she may continue to be available — if needed — for special projects,” Marshall said. As an example, he said she has done a lot of research into the possible playground improvements.
“Dea is leaving the center in great shape,” Baum said.
Baum believes that non-profit community day care centers are fairly unusual.
“It represents a feather in our cap and an attraction to outsiders looking to move to West Branch,” she said. “Some children at the Center already come from eastern parts of Iowa City.”
Everyone interviewed acknowledged Hoeme’s quiet reluctance to put herself forward.
When asked if there will be a celebration recognizing her years of service and influence on the Center, Marshall said, “If she’ll let us.”
Hoeme declined an interview for this story, though, for many, her influence is unquestioned.
“Dea is the essence of love and calmness,” Baum said.
“We love our center and the contribution it has made to our children’s lives and the life of our community,” Hillary Maurer, also a member of the board of directors, said. “I can’t, nor could I ever, say enough about Dea’s contribution. When it comes to Dea, my praise is all superlatives. She is the nicest, calmest, most caring, loving, and dedicated childcare advocate I have ever known. Her influence will remain at the center for as long as it stands, and that is a very good thing!”
Those wishing to support the fundraising can get more information on the center’s Web site, www.westbranchdaycare.org, or by calling (319) 643-7447.
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Editor's note: This story was updated Sept. 3 to correct and clarify that the day care first opened in the Wildenburg home.
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