NORTHVILLE, Mich. – A Northville preschool serving neurodivergent children could be forced to close within weeks unless it raises emergency funding, according to parents working to save the program.
Victoria Camaj says finding the right educational environment for her 4-year-old son, Julian, became urgent after he failed to meet developmental milestones.
“My son, Julian, was not meeting his traditional milestones at the time he was three,” Camaj said. “We tried public school. It didn’t work. Which, thank God, led us to the Be Me Center.”
Camaj describes the Be Me Center as a therapeutic preschool and educational safe haven for children who need specialized support — and she says the impact on her son has been dramatic.
“When my son first started, in less than one school year, he was completely behind in his developmental milestones; he’s exceeding them,” Camaj said. “He is exceeding them.”
Now, Camaj and other families say the center is facing a funding crisis that could force it to close.
“By Aug. 1, we are slated to close if we do not fundraise $150,000,” Camaj said.
Camaj has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help keep the center operating.
Parents say donations would help stabilize the preschool’s operations, including keeping classrooms open, maintaining staffing and providing tuition assistance for families who need it.
“We’re asking for people to donate,” Camaj said. “If you can’t donate, to share, that God finds a way for us to keep these doors open.”
Parents say the campaign has reached about 4% of the goal so far, but the deadline is approaching quickly.
They’re urging the community to spread the word as they work to keep the center open.
“Children are the future,” Camaj said. “These kids deserve the most help. We want to preserve this program for generations to come, because there is such a need for this in the community.”