KERRVILLE— The Cailloux Foundation, in conjunction with Singing Wind Development Company owned by Rolinda and Arthur Schmidt and Carroll Smith, acquired 14.75 acres of land on Meadowview and Legion Drive in Kerrville last June. Approximately two acres of the tract will be given to A Child’s Place Learning Center (ACP) as a site for a new daycare building funded by The Cailloux Foundation provided that the Kerrville City Council approves the organization’s application for a new Planned Development District.

 Julie Smith of Center Point established ACP in 1999 and received nonprofit status in 2001. ACP currently has an enrollment of 73 pre-school children and 18 older children for after-school care. They are at capacity with a waiting list of 18 children. More than 60% of children served are from low-income families with government subsidized tuition assistance. Smith has been working with staff at City Hall since June on the application for the Planned Development District. The land is currently zoned for single family residences but is across the street from an apartment complex and nearby heavily traveled thoroughfares such as Singing Wind Drive. The nearby Legion Drive extension may also prove to be a much used roadway. 

 The remaining acreage will be given to Habitat for Humanity Kerr County for the construction of low income housing. Habitat for Humanity-Kerr County was incorporated in 1989 under a charter from Habitat for Humanity International to operate the ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The organization's goal is to eliminate poverty housing by building adequate, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

 “The ongoing need for child care in Kerr County must be given serious consideration. More space is needed to care for children while their parents are working,” said Smith, “These children need good quality care and their families have very few options. This grant will allow us to provide care for even more low income children and we are very excited about it,” she added.

ACP is across the street from Tom Daniels Elementary School and in close proximity to three apartment complexes and two subdivisions. Children from Tom Daniels, Starkey, and Tally Elementary Schools utilize the Center for after school and summer care. This is one of only a handful of agencies in the Kerrville area providing care for newborn babies.

“Quality childcare is important to this whole community. In addition to helping children develop in healthy ways, it attracts and keeps young families in this county. A children-friendly and family-friendly atmosphere is critical to the future of Kerr County. Julie Smith is a bright, well informed, hard working childcare center director. She really has a heart for children and for her childcare workers,” stated Bill Blackburn of Partners in Ministry.

 Kerrville has a pressing and well documented need for childcare for low-income families as well as more safe and affordable housing. It is in the best interest of children to be in a structured pre-school setting rather than in unlicensed situations for safety reasons and to better prepare them for elementary school. Two providers in the area have closed in the past year due to the difficulties of making ends meet. According to Kerr Economic Development Foundation President Guy Overby, the KEDF’s June 2005 Business Survey revealed that 30% of Kerrville and Kerr County businesses are negatively impacted by the lack of day care facilities.

 “At The Cailloux Foundation we consider the lack of affordable childcare to be a serious hindrance to families who are struggling to raise their children in Kerrville,” said Cailloux Foundation Executive Director Sandy Cailloux, “We have low wages and high housing costs for working people. Our Board is hopeful that City leaders will approve the Planned Development District so that A Child’s Place can move ahead with their project. It makes sense to keep the Center in that area and there are very few land options available there. Helping Habitat secure land for years to come is a fabulous bonus,” she added. 

 “Habitat for Humanity is pleased to accept this donation of property. The acreage will allow for multiple beautiful home sites that will provide many disadvantaged families hope and security in the future,” said Habitat for Humanity Kerr County President Gary Cochrane.

 Floyd A. and Kathleen C. Cailloux created The Cailloux Foundation in 1994. The Foundation’s mission is to perpetuate the Cailloux’s vision through the betterment of individual lives, with emphasis on the needs of disadvantaged children. Mr. Cailloux was co-founder of Keystone International and was instrumental in the company becoming a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of industrial valves for general industry. In 1981, Mr. and Mrs. Cailloux moved from Houston to Kerrville, where they became very involved in charitable endeavors in the Texas Hill Country and around the state. The Foundation continues these endeavors by awarding grants to eligible nonprofit organizations mainly in the Hill Country. The Foundation is unable to make awards to individuals or groups that are not classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

 The application process for the Foundation consists of an initial letter of inquiry from a nonprofit organization to help Foundation staff determine if a project fits within its guidelines. If a project does fit the guidelines, a full grant application is provided for the agency to complete. Please read the application process section on this site for more information regarding inquiries to the Foundation.n

Note: On October 11, 2005 the Kerrville City Council approved a Planned Development District zoning change for approximately 2.6 acres on Meadowview Road which will allow the daycare center to be constructed on the site.