SouthSide Early Childhood Breaks Ground for New Oculus Inc. designed School!

 

On February 28, 2013, Oculus was proud to participate in the ground breaking for the “New” SouthSide Early Childhood Center and community hub to be located on a site bounded by Russell on the North, South Jefferson on the East and Ann on the South. The new home for SouthSide, years in the making, will provide an outstanding new facility to replace their existing facility. SouthSide reflects the type of project we are the most proud of here at Oculus Inc. They have been an institution serving the under privileged in St. Louis for over a century and with the new facility they will do so long into the future. Oculus Inc. has been working with the leadership of SSECC for over two years, and we are close to seeing the project turn from dream into reality. Everyone in the St. Louis community should be proud to have organizations like SouthSide in our great city.

We at Oculus would also like to say a special thank you to the key contributors and donors who have helped make this project possible. We certainly would like to thank Ameren Corp., Emerson, Edward Jones, Centene, Maritz, Nestle-Purina as well as Deaconess Foundation, Bellwether Foundation, William T. Kemper Foundation, Trio Foundation, Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis, Philpott Family Foundation, The Crawford Taylor Foundation Dana Brown Charitable Trust and a challenge by The J.E and L.E Mabee Foundation.

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay speaking at the ground breaking!

SouthSide Board members, the mayor and students and parents turning the first shovels of ground.

 

The new facility will provide increased capacity for enrollment, light filled early childhood classrooms, energy efficient operations, community spaces for meetings and family learning workshops. The site also provides outstanding community access while infilling a prime city location which has been under developed for many years. Stay tuned for much more as the project progresses!

Please visit the SSECC website and Blog for more information or you share our passion for Early Childhood education and are looking for ways to contribute to this incredible organization serving the St. Louis Community.

From the left Gary Gray/SSECC Board menber, Ron Reim/Oculus Inc., Ron Unterreiner/Rhodey Construction, & Matt Thole/Oculus Inc.

 

 

Lisa Bell Reim/President of Oculus Inc., Ron Reim/EVP of Oculus Inc., Matt Thole/Job Captain for Oculus Inc.