On July 24th, the Ossining Children’s Center (OCC) broke ground for the Rebecca and Arthur Samberg building at 32 State Street in Ossining during a short ceremony honoring the Sambergs’ contributions to the Ossining Community. The new 27,000 square foot facility will house all of OCC’s current programs while meeting the growing need for infant, toddler, preschool, and before- and after-school care in Ossining
Executive Director Howard Milbert kicked off the ceremony thanking the Sambergs for their long-time friendship and support. “We would not be standing here without the commitment and vision of the Sambergs,” said Milbert. “The new space will be an incredible resource for children and families in our community.”
The Ossining Children’s Center (OCC) provides nurturing care and education for children ages 8 weeks to 12 years. The OCC creates a foundation for children’s life-long intellectual, social and emotional development and serves as a community resource and advocate for families.
OCC’s vision to create a new space to better meet the needs of children, staff and our larger Ossining community began at a board retreat five years ago. Since then OCC has embarked on a $17.8 million capital campaign called “Our Children, Our Future” to build a new modern, larger facility. The campaign has raised approximately $13 million to date. OCC is also working to expand its scholarship program to enable additional working families to enroll their children at the Center.
“My daughter and I have found a second home at OCC,” says teacher and OCC parent Pamela Cabreja. “As a teacher, I believe the new space will open up exciting learning opportunities for the children in my classroom. As a parent, I am thrilled that my daughter gets to learn and grow in such an engaging, stimulating environment.”
The new Center will make additional child care slots available to families of all incomes, enabling more parents to maintain steady employment. It will help anchor the State Street neighborhood, generating increased economic activity and creating job opportunities for local residents. In addition, a new high-profile child care center in the village will help attract parents from the wider community.
