News Release

COLUMBIA CITY — United Way of Whitley & Kosciusko Counties and the Community Foundation of Whitley County announce the hiring of Rachel Alexander as the new Whitley County coordinator for Launchpad, an ongoing effort to organize and improve the state of child care in the community.

Rachel Alexander

Access to quality childcare remains a persistent challenge for working families. Over the last four years, Launchpad has worked to improve childcare opportunities in Kosciusko County, and now this expansion to Whitley County will work to address broader challenges.

“The Community Foundation is grateful to our friends in Kosciusko County for their willingness to share the Launch Pad framework,” says September McConnell, CEO of the Community Foundation of Whitley County. “Quality childcare is essential for the future success of our children, and Rachel is more than dedicated to the cause.”

Alexander’s experiences made her an exciting candidate from the beginning. Her work experience includes time spent with her family’s business in orthopedic manufacturing in Columbus, Ohio, and she recently founded Giving Gardens Indiana, a nature-focused preschool. Rachel has a unique blend of business and childcare experience that made her an excellent candidate for this role.

“Families need childcare options that work for them across geographic boundaries,” says Darren Bickel, United Way president. “Changing how childcare works is a long-term proposition, and we believe our families are worthy of that commitment.”

Over the next six months, Alexander will visit area childcare facilities, hold conversations with business leaders and work with regional organizations to explore new resources to bring to Whitley County. Ultimately, Launchpad will develop an action plan to build the infrastructure necessary for new childcare options to develop and for existing childcare programs to thrive within Whitley County.