In 2023, Southeast Childhood Collective (formerly AEYC) was awarded $5M from Senator Lisa Murkowski to help build a multi-agency nonprofit family center in Juneau.
This project is a long-standing vision of Southeast Childhood Collective and the Juneau Partnership for Families and Children (PFC)—a coalition of 16 nonprofit and state agencies working together to support families. We have already purchased a 3.5-acre site for the center and completed a formal feasibility study confirming the project’s viability, along with a full environmental review and detailed cost estimate. The Fireweed Family Center will bring childcare, family services, and community resources under one roof, creating a welcoming hub where families can connect, access support, and build strong foundations for lifelong success.
Why Juneau Needs a Family Center Now
Juneau is home to more than 2,000 children under age eight, yet only 1 in 3 has access to licensed childcare. Many families rely on informal care, limiting parents’ ability to work or pursue education, and employers report workforce losses tied directly to childcare shortages. Families also face a fragmented system of services spread across town, creating barriers that disproportionately impact those experiencing financial hardship or housing instability. The Fireweed Family Center addresses these challenges by centralizing services, reducing barriers, and improving coordination—making support accessible when families need it most.
What the Fireweed Family Center Will Provide
The 20,000 sq. ft. facility, centrally located across from Fred Meyer, will include:
- A licensed childcare program serving 100+ children with high-quality early learning and school readiness
- A Childcare Apprenticeship Learning Lab offering paid training, mentorship, and credential pathways to grow the local workforce
- An indoor playground for year-round, developmentally appropriate play
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- On-site nonprofit partners providing parenting support, well-child screenings, housing stabilization, nutrition assistance, financial coaching, and mental health resources
- Shared consultation and training rooms to support provider collaboration, workforce development, and parent education
- A large event space for community gatherings and trainings
Community Impact
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- 100 new childcare spaces in Juneau
- $4 million annually reinvested in the local economy by supporting working families
- 500+ families connected to essential services each year
- 10 new childcare workforce trainees annually, strengthening Southeast Alaska’s early learning system
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For more information, please contact Nikki Love, Creative Director, at nlove@childhoodcollective.org.
To Donate
Donate by credit card using the link below, or make your check payable to Juneau Community Foundation. Please note the fund name in the memo field. Mail to: 641 W. Willoughby Ave., #206, Juneau, AK 99801. Please call us at 907-523-5450 or email info@juneaucf.org for information on donating stock, wiring funds, establishing a Fund, gifting from your IRA, or naming the Juneau Community Foundation in your Will.
