Freedom Credit Union pledges to Square One's capital campaign
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Freedom Credit Union has pledged $7,500 to Square One's 'Back to Square One' capital campaign, furthering its commitment to community development.
The donation will help support early childhood education in western Mass. and fund Square One's new early learning and family support center in Springfield's South End.
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The planned 26,000-square-foot facility is being built on the same site where Square One's original building stood before it was destroyed by a tornado in 2011. The new campus is scheduled to open next month.
'This gift represents Freedom Credit Union's strong support for our mission and vision for the future of the families who live and work here,' says Kristine Allard, Vice President of Development & Communication for Square One. 'We know that our new campus will play a vital role in positioning our region's young children for long-term success. We are so grateful to our friends at Freedom Credit Union and everyone who has supported our campaign.'
Since launching the campaign in March 2023, Square One has raised more than $13 million toward the construction of its new facility. However, the organization's rapid growth has already created a new challenge: a need for more space.
To help address the space limitations, Balise Auto donated a nearby unoccupied building adjacent to the construction site. That structure requires an estimated $4 million in renovations, which will begin once construction of the new main campus is complete.
'We are proud to support the important work Square One does every day to help children and families in our community grow and thrive,' said Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch. 'Their vision to effect meaningful change that results in more promising futures for children, families, and our community closely reflects our own cooperative spirit.'
Square One has seen rising demand for its family support services, a reflection of its growing impact in the region. The expansion of facilities is a strategic move to ensure continued support for Springfield-area families through high-quality education, care, and comprehensive family resources.
The 'Back to Square One' campaign continues to accept donations as it pushes forward with renovations and programming expansion.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
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