“Necessity being the mother of invention” applies figuratively and literally to Mountain resident Maria Burke. When the Mt. Hood Preschool/Daycare business closed last year, Burke was left in a difficult position – with a 3-year-old daughter and a son on the way.

She formed a small in-home preschool/daycare out of necessity.

“I sent out an email message to a handful of Mountain moms that I knew
were also going to need childcare and preschool services,” Burke said. “Very
quickly the handful of moms grew and within a few days I realized that this
small project needed to be much bigger.”

Burke contacted Welches Schools Principal Kendra Payne and with her support
meetings ensued and the new project was growing legs.

“We started off slow, with only a few people coming to our meetings,” Burke
said. “But we kept pressing on.”

Ann Yarbro and Heather Sullivan pitched in and with the three determined


moms spearheading the effort research revealed a master plan: form a non-
profit organization and the possibilities were endless.

A board was formed and by the end of December they filed for non-profit
status for their new business, the Mt. Hood Learning Center.

The next hurdle was to earn the nod of the Oregon Trail School District, and
on March 19 the center’s proposal went before Superintendent Aaron Bayer.

“The district was very supportive and understood the need in our community,”
Burke said. “They just need to work out a few kinks with scheduling. We were
told by the OTSD that we would have a final decision by the first week of
April.”

The center leaders were not the type to sit on their early laurels. They will
need the community to help raise funds to get the program up and running.

A Hawaiian theme fundraiser – Meet and Great Luau – will be will be held at
Welches School, slated for 5:30 p.m., April 25. Penny’s Puppet Productions
will perform at the event. A donation of $5 is suggested for each individual.

“Come meet the new non-profit board members, teachers and staff,” Burke
urged. “We will keep everyone updated (for the final confirmation from OTSD)
through our Facebook Group: Mt. Hood Learning Center.”

Burke and the center’s crew plan on becoming a long-term member of the
community.