In a significant move to support education access, East Savannah United (ESU) unveiled a new tuition scholarship initiative aimed at assisting students from low-income families. This announcement, made on a Tuesday morning, coincided with the development of the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) in Savannah.

This innovative center is the result of a collaborative effort involving Chatham County, the City of Savannah, and ESU. Currently under construction with funds sourced from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the ECLC is set to become a comprehensive community hub. It will not only cater to early childhood education but also house a public library, a healthcare clinic, and a training facility for local childcare providers.

Expected to open its doors in the spring of 2026, the center will accommodate 144 children ranging from six weeks to four years old. A key component of this initiative is the commitment to serve children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with at least half of the spots reserved for students from low-income families. In light of this, ESU is reaching out to the community to aid in funding scholarships that will cover tuition costs for these students.

Derek Mallow, the Executive Director of ESU, emphasized the importance of community support for the scholarship fund. In his statement, he highlighted the necessity of ensuring educational opportunities for all children, particularly those from East Savannah, to help break the cycle of generational poverty. Mallow stressed that while significant donations would greatly benefit the fund’s sustainability, contributions of any size are welcome and appreciated in this effort to empower the community’s youth.

“In order to make sure that every child has an opportunity to succeed, 50% of the children enrolled in this new early learning center must be from low-income families living in East Savannah. Although a major gift would greatly help to establish this fund long-term, we welcome donations of all amounts. We are committed to providing quality educational opportunities to ensure everyone on the Eastside has a fighting chance to move out of generational poverty.”

For more information about the center or East Savannah United, you can click here or call 912-335-5598