Childcare center to bring new life to vacant church
W
By Andy Greenman
spent much of his life caring for adolescents, and hile house shopping on the West has seen the recent population growth in Rapid side of town, Ryan Zens noticed City, as childcare centers have filled-up and a unique structure for sale. It many have extended waitlists. was much larger than he had Before diving into a new business venture, the envisioned, but this property caught his eye. two polled neighborhoods and discovered they Zens parked his car along South Canyon Road needed to help. Zens and Waldo purchased the and walked up to the front steps of the Seventhchurch in December 2020. “We Day Adventist Church. A pastor want to fill a need and thought inside surprised him and asked if he wanted a grand tour of the "We’ve designed a facility this was the best option,” said Zens. With their 36 years of 1950 building. that will offer great combined childcare experience, The pastor took him through aspects and the different they set forth with their mission the classrooms, kitchen and sides of child care." open spaces when Zens realized, to provide high quality of care to families. this was “a facility that could -Ryan Zens When the center opens, Every offer amazing childcare to the Co-Owner, Every Child Counts Child is Special will offer care area.” from 2-13 years of age. The A veteran childcare worker, Zens has a life-long passion for facility will hold programs that helping children and families. He spent 11 years include preschool, toddler care, special needs, summer camps and after school. What sets them helping children at Ellsworth Air Force Base and apart is having an RN, Waldo, on site. the past 14 years at Monument Health. While a new sprinkler system is currently It was there at Monument Health he met RN being installed, Zens is working towards finding Alfred Waldo, who had moved to Rapid City from the Philippians in 2018. Waldo has also the right staff. He requires all employees to have
28 ELEVATE • FEB. 2021
