College will explore new learning center for the county

DAYTON, Ohio (09/09/08) – Based on an invitation from Preble County Youth Foundation, Sinclair Community College will begin a process to explore the feasibility of adding a learning center in the Preble County YMCA. Sinclair expects that a firm decision can be made within two to four weeks.

Sinclair received an invitation to become the higher education partner of the Preble County Youth Foundation The potential Preble County Learning Center would model Sinclair’s extremely successful Huber Heights and Englewood facilities..

The Youth Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing programs and facilities for the youth of Preble County. The idea for the foundation originated from Judge Wilfrid Dues, whose experience both as a father and within the Preble County Juvenile System led him to the belief that the county’s soundest investment is in the development of its youth.

The Youth Foundation has raised $1.6 million to build a learning center at the existing YMCA facility located in Eaton. Preble County Youth Foundation owns the facility and has asked Sinclair to research the possibility of operating the learning facility.

“We believe that Sinclair is already the college of choice for residents in Preble County,” said Sinclair President Dr. Steven Lee Johnson. “Our staff will work with the Youth Foundation and Preble County education officials to determine the higher education needs of the county and the feasibility of a possible new center.”

The Preble County Youth Foundation hopes to have the learning center open and fully operational in time for fall quarter 2009.

###

CONTACT: 
Natasha Baker, APR
Director of Public Relations
P 937/512-2221
C 937/231-4957
Natasha.baker@sinclair.edu