Ribbon cutting held to commemorate new learning center at Vanbeber Court

There’s a new community resource for area residents of all ages thanks to a collaborative effort between the Corbin Housing Authority, Corbin Independent Family Resource Center, Save the Children and the Corbin Public Library.

A ribbon cutting was held last Friday at the Vanbeber Court Apartments off Master Street to commemorate the official revealing of a Learning Center of Excellence aimed at providing growth, development and educational opportunities for the public.

The building the center now resides in is within the apartment complex and had sat vacant for many years, mothballed and left to time. Robert Hayes, director of the Corbin Housing Authority, said that he felt led to do something with the space in a way that could be helpful to the community.

“When I had this building sitting here not being utilized…I said, ‘Let’s try to do something to touch the lives of people in Corbin,” said Hayes. “It was like a blank slate.”

The center has several play zones geared toward specific areas of development, including dramatic play, a sensory area and others to help build fine motor skills and help with critical thinking. The center will also provide a variety of other resources for young minds through the help of Save the Children.

“We’re trying to teach these children there’s lots of ways to be smart. You can be compassionate, you can be good in math, you can be good in art, you can do good in music or in a spatial activity like playing a sport, you can be a good listener. We’re trying to raise the self-esteem and help inspire some of these children,” said Hayes.

Additionally, the center has a room devoted toward helping adults receive their Commonwealth of Kentucky High School Equivalency Diploma and other further education.

Anyone interested in taking advantage of the center’s resources can contact Save the Children at (606) 215-2186. Space is currently only available to those who qualify and are registered for the offered programs.