The Foundation’s mission includes support for programs and projects that educate and benefit young children in the lower Northern Neck of Virginia. The Foundation gives preference to organizations that serve Lancaster County. Past recipients include public and private schools and colleges, libraries, medical facilities, museums, child development facilities, churches, and other organizations whose programs educate young children academically, socially, culturally or spiritually, or promote their health and well-being.
As a result of a study it conducted to assess the state of early childhood education and development facilities and programs in Lancaster County, the Foundation made it possible for the Northern Neck Family YMCA to build, furnish, and equip a state-of-the-art, licensed child development center for children from 4 weeks old to 4 years old.
The Wiley Child Development Center can care for up to 70 young children in classrooms set up to facilitate learning through play. Trained, qualified staff ensure the children’s safety and proficiency in pre-school skills. By the time they leave the center at age 4, children are ready for kindergarten: reading small books, counting to 100, and comfortable in a classroom setting.