Our Story

Our Story

Ligonier Valley Learning Center is a grass roots organization founded in 1984 by current CEO, Rebecca Faulk.

As an educator and a parent, Rebecca saw the need for a full day quality child care program for working parents in the Ligonier Valley. A volunteer Board of Directors was recruited and the 501 (c ) (3) non-profit organization was incorporated as Ligonier Valley Learning Center.

Originally starting with 10 children and 2 staff, the organization began as a Child Care Center out of a rented home in a community on the north side of Ligonier. As the Center enrollment grew, proposals were submitted to area Foundations to raise needed funds to purchase a Ligonier facility for program development. The R.K. Mellon Foundation provided the initial funding needed to purchase the current Ligonier Valley Learning Center facility in Oak Grove, Ligonier. With lots of hard work, the facility was transformed into a creative and safe environment for Infant, Toddler, Preschool and School-Age children of working parents in the Ligonier and surrounding communities.

In 1996, new space was rented in Latrobe from Adelphoi, Inc to begin another Child Care Center titled Latrobe Kinder-Schull. This facility also serviced children of all ages to meet the needs of working parents. Partnerships were formed with Adelphoi and several other Agencies to provide comprehensive and expansive Child Care and Preschool for children under the same roof. Currently, the Latrobe Kinder-Schull is housed in a purchased building behind the Latrobe Train Station on McKinley Avenue, Latrobe.

In 1997, renovation work began at the Ligonier Facility to include mental health services. Community based services began to meet the mental health needs of children and youth in area schools, homes and community settings. Additional staff were hired who were skilled and trained as mental health clinicians. Seven years later Ligonier Valley Learning Center obtained a State License to operate a Mental Health Clinic at the Ligonier Site as well as the Latrobe Site and a new Greensburg Site. Another Administration Office was opened in the town of Ligonier which eventually housed the Connections Café. The Café was initially operated by Ligonier Valley Learning Center and eventually turned over to the management of the Café Chef.

In 2007, Ligonier Valley Learning Center worked in partnership with Seton Hill Child Services to operate the PA Pre-K Counts program at the Ligonier and Latrobe facilities. The PA Pre-K Counts program is a State funded program which provides school readiness to children 3-4 years of age at no charge to parents. LVLC currently continues with the contractual agreement with Seton Hill Child Services and also recently obtained status as Lead Agency with the State for the operation of additional Pre-K Counts Classrooms.

Ligonier Valley Learning Center currently operates full day child care services in Latrobe; PA Pre-K Counts classrooms in Ligonier and Latrobe; and Mental Health Wellness Services in Ligonier and Latrobe. LVLC currently employs 45 educators and mental health specialists as well as provides educational and mental health wellness services to approximately 400 clients in the Ligonier and Latrobe communities.

The Agency site facilities are very comfortable and welcoming to all clients. The success of the Agency for over 35 years is due to donations from Individuals/Foundations as well as dedicated hard working and skilled employees.