New scholarship program to provide free daycare for low-income families in Redford Township

REDFORD, Mich. – One Redford Township daycare offers free services for low-income families.

You know that old school saying “It takes a village to raise a child?” One woman realizes that and is just trying to do her part.

Taking care of the children is something that Jackie Horne has loved doing for decades now.

“Just trying to make a difference in my community,” said Horne. “I’ve been in daycare for over 30 years. It is a passion of mine.”

Horne knows how hard it is to afford child care, especially in today’s economy.

“It’s a very expensive first of all,” Horne said. “It’s a big dig in the pockets of a lot of people who work every day and can’t even afford it, you know. They have to have it to be able to go to work.”

That’s why she’s been offering free childcare to multiple kids from low-income families for years at Happy Phases daycare inside Redford Aldersgate United Methodist.

“It’s Free daycare for a year,” Horne said. “It’s a scholarship that I’m presenting to people who are not as fortunate as some.”

Believe it or not, she is paying for the whole operation with her own money, hoping to make a difference one kid at a time.

“The money right now is coming from out of my pocket, out of my own savings,” Horne said. “I want to give back to my community, and I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that right now.”

There will be an open house this Saturday (May 19) from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the daycare in the 10000 block of Beech Daly in Redford. If you’d like to see if you qualify for free care, call 313-651-6211.