Community Partnership for Child Development has hosted classes on Fort Carson for the past 10 years, but Thursday marked the first time the nonprofit had its own facility.

“This building is definitely special,” said Col. Robert F. McLaughlin, the Garrison Commander on post, motioning to the structure behind him. “We’re always trying to make the best of what we have and this represents that tenfold.”

The building was donated to CPCD by Fort Carson when the post’s Child Development Center moved next door.Click here for pictures of the children and the event

CPCD assists children living in poverty and those challenged by special circumstances such as military deployments by offering a variety of programs. Head Start is available for children ages 3 to 5, Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children 2 and younger, and the Colorado Preschool Program caters to kids 3 to 5.

The nonprofit helps 107 children on Fort Carson but can assist 34 more. About 80 percent of the children being helped have parents in the military with the majority being junior enlisted, where the need is the highest.

On average, military families move every 2 to 3 years and endure multiple deployments, which can take a toll on the kids.

“Early childhood education is important,” said Terrance McWilliams, the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs at the El Pomar Foundation. “Our children do not possess the basic skill set to start the third grade. Head Start gets them ready for the third grade.

“We want to make sure that military children aren’t put at a disadvantage because their parents choose to serve.”

Fort Carson’s CPCD center is the second of its kind on a military installation, with the first being in Hawaii.

“I am proud of what it stands for — mostly what happens inside this building,” McLaughlin said. “We owe so much to the families. Aside from battle duties, every soldier wants nothing more than to make sure their kids are cared for.”

Children at the CPCD Center on Fort Carson help to cut the ribbon at the ceremony Photo by KRISTEN DORRIS/SPRINGS MILITARY LIFE