Our History
Community Pride’s roots go back to World War II when the Lanham Act provided Federal funds for child care centers to serve children of mothers in defense work.
1958 : The original nursery was closed for fire safety reasons.
1959 : With contributions from the community, construction of a new building began on land made available at a nominal lease by the Pinellas County School Board. Community Pride re-opened in October at 1235 Holt Avenue. Lack of air conditioning required that the center could operate only during the school year.
1963 : The first full-time Director was hired and a wing added.
1975-76 : A new Director, Martha Skelton was hired. Funds received from Pinellas County Revenue Sharing enabled Community Pride to air condition the building for year round use.
1976-77 : Using grants from the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County Revenue Sharing, we were able to buy classroom and playground equipment, remodel the kitchen, add a fire alarm system, and provide some scholarships.
1980-81 : Community Pride opened three satellites Family Child Care homes, licensed by Pinellas County, to care for infants less than two years of age who by law could not be housed in child care centers.
1984-86 : Community Pride continued to up-grade its facilities and add Family Child Care Homes as funds became available. A second, small center was opened at St. James AME Church to serve children on the south side of town.
1987 : When Pinellas County License Board decided to allow centers such as ours to admit infants, the Community Pride Board of Directors voted to undertake its first capital campaign for the purpose of adding an infant care wing to the Holt Avenue Center.
1990 : The state of Florida implemented an early intervention program of pre- kindergarten classes under contract with the Pinellas County School System. We are proud to have been chosen as one of only five private centers countywide, and have a class in place at each of our two centers. The Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin selected us to administer their new Gateway project to provide child care for the homeless.
1991 : In the spring, with help from the City of Clearwater, we were able to renovate the old YWCA Thrift Shop at 211 S. Missouri Avenue, becoming a larger satellite center, licensed for sixty five, two to five year olds. In December the Junior League of Clearwater/Dunedin opened the Gateway infant care addition to our new satellite center. Community Pride Gateway is now able to serve ninety children from infants to five years or age.
1992 : A full time Family Service Coordinator was hired to administer the Homeless program for up to thirty slots at any of our centers or homes.
1995 : The infant addition to the Holt Avenue facility opened in December with the ability to serve thirty two infants and toddlers bringing their total to one hundred eight children. This center was renamed the "Frances R. Breeden Center" in honor of our volunteer who single handedly raised most of the funds for this addition.
1998 : Through a collaboration with the Haven, a domestic violence shelter, a New Generation of Peacemakers program was born. A two person team presents a five week program once a week to four and five year old classrooms throughout Northern Pinellas. The program teaches peacemaking skills, diversity, safety planning, feelings, and love for animals and the environment.
1999 : Quality Child Care, Inc. merged with Community Pride. The center, renamed the Vangie Mosich Center, is located adjacent to the SPJC Campus at 2405 Drew St. The center serves up to thirty seven children ages two to five years.
2000 : Through the generosity of a donor Community Pride set up an administrative office at 314 S. Missouri Ave. to house three coordinators, the bookkeeper and the Executive Director. A new modular unit was added to the Mosich Center to include an additional classroom and a commercial kitchen.
2002-04 : Community Pride suffered reductions in funding and a rise in expenses. As a result the Family Child Care program was closed, the administrative offices were closed, and the Mosich Center was turned over to another entity.
2004 : Through additional grants the Homeless program was able to expand to serve homeless families living in south Pinellas County shelters.
2005 : We contracted with Head Start to provide three classrooms for very low income three and four year olds.
2007 : Community Pride expanded providing the USDA Child Care Food Program from twenty Family Child Care Homes to over one hundred homes.
2009 : Through the Child Care Food Program over 43,000 meals are served monthly to over 900 children.