We envision vibrant, inclusive communities where children and families thrive: rooted in empathy, enriched by bilingualism, and empowered to build bridges across cultures, communities, and the world.
BELLA Academy can help fill a community-level gap by providing families with another reliable, affordable, community-based option for children’s care.
Maryland child-care programs closed during the pandemic. In 2024, the Maryland Comptroller noted that child-care availability may be contributing to Maryland’s depressed labor-force participation.
of working Maryland parents with children age 5 and under reported a short-term employment disruption because of child-care problems. That is nearly 1 in 2 working Maryland parents!
Maryland remains among the most expensive states in the country for infant and toddler care. BELLA Academy will address this through affordable programming, scholarships, partnerships, grants, and community-supported services.
Reliable programs don’t just benefit children — they help parents work, pursue education, maintain employment, and advance their careers.
BELLA Academy can help families caught between two difficult choices: pay high child-care costs or struggle to maintain employment without reliable care.
The approximate cost to employers in 2016 from the economic impact of disrupted child care for working families.
The reduction in Maryland’s economic output due to disrupted child care in 2016.
Maryland tax revenue lost due to disruption in child care in 2016.
BELLA Academy addresses a critical community need by expanding access to affordable, reliable, high-quality programming for children while helping parents maintain employment, pursue education, and strengthen their economic stability.
Maryland has lost more than 1,000 child-care programs since the pandemic, remains one of the nation’s most expensive states for child care, and continues to experience workforce participation challenges associated with limited access to child care.
