YWCA of Asheville receives grant for program that provides flexible child care

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The YWCA of Asheville has received a grant to expand childcare choices for parents.

Dogwood Health Trust is giving the YWCA's Empowerment Childcare Program $400,000.

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"This is a program that provides free or low cost quality childcare for lower income families," Diana Sierra CEO of YWCA of Asheville & WNC told News 13. "It offers flexible care outside your traditional licensed childcare framework."

Breaking out of that tradition includes providing childcare for people who work evening and overnight shifts, as well as part time workers or those looking for work.

This grant will provide the funds to do that over the next 16 months.

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CEO Sierra says there are too few openings for childcare in the Asheville area, and that's often due a shortage in accredited teachers.