By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
After sitting vacant for more than three years, Noah's Ark Childcare Center is taking on a new life serving children.
Head Start classes are now being held at the facility located on Belleville Avenue next to Dan and Marsha Raulerson's medical offices. The Raulersons, owners of the building, are more than happy about the new arrangement.
Raulerson said rather than have the facility house anything other than services for children wasn't in their plans.
Marjorie Woods, director of the Head Start program, said the excitement expressed by Raulerson isn't the end of the excitement.
Woods said the Head Start facility is now open serving students in two divisions of pre-school activities.
Raulerson said he hopes plans for the Head Start program at the facility will include services for other ages in the future.
Woods said that possibility exists, but a final determination on services such as that would have to come from supervisors.
Expansion of programs and services are needed in the Brewton area Woods said, and she hopes Head Start can grow.
Woods said parents had commented to physicians, teachers, administrators and other officials about the difficulty of transportation to the Head Start facility on U.S. 29 in the Boykin community.
Raulerson said the Head Start program is a stable situation for the facility.
Raulerson said although the program is a stable one, the facility is being occupied on a year-to-year contract.
Woods said the 12-employee staff is excited about the relocation as well. Beverly Suarez, an eight-year employee, is enjoying the new surroundings.
Woods said the Raulersons have provided a much-needed facility that will benefit families of all backgrounds.