FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Debbie Campbell
Interim Executive Director
United Way of Lewis County
450 NW Pacific Ave.
Chehalis, WA 98532
Main: 360-508-1147
www.lewiscountyuw.com
The Community is Invited to United Learning Center Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
May 4, 2026 | Lewis County, WA —For over 60 years, United Way of Lewis County has been steadfast in its mission to bring people and resources together to support those in need. The organization's history of collaboration and community engagement is a testament to its enduring commitment to enhancing the well-being of Lewis County residents.
The United Way of Lewis County Board of Directors first developed the idea for the United Learning Center during a board retreat in 2018 in response to local needs in early learning, after-school care, and support for children and families in Lewis County. It became a formally announced collaborative project in 2019, shaped by United Way of Lewis County and its partners to combine early education, enrichment, and family support in one place.
The concept began with United Way of Lewis County working with community partners on an early learning center that could also serve broader youth needs. United Way and its partners initially focused on developing an early learning center and then expanded the vision into an overall “United Learning Center” model.
The United Way Board of Directors’ goals were to:
- Facilitate comprehensive education for children in the community.
- Supplement public schools with additional educational resources.
- Help ALICE (asset-limited income-constrained, employed) families and other lower-income households in Lewis County.
Instead of a single-purpose building, the final vision evolved into a multi-part campus. The project grew into a collaboration with Bezos Academy, Boys & Girls Club of Lewis County, Discover! Children’s Museum, and the City of Centralia, creating a “Campus of Compassion” featuring early learning, after-school programs, creative play, and family support.
The project is the 12,800-square-foot United Learning Center planned for downtown Centralia near Maple and North Pearl streets.
We are excited to share a meaningful step forward for families in our region with the opening of the United Learning Center in Centralia. This collaborative space brings together the Bezos Academy, Discover! Children’s Museum, and the Boys & Girls Club, creating a unique environment where children and families can learn, grow, and thrive together.
The impact of this center reaches far beyond its walls. With high-quality early childhood education through Bezos Academy, hands-on learning and creativity fostered by Discover! Children’s Museum, and the safe, supportive programs offered by the Boys & Girls Club, families in Lewis County will have greater access to opportunities that support lifelong success. This partnership represents a shared commitment to investing in our children, strengthening families, and building a brighter future for our entire community.
We believe the United Learning Center will help shape a more hopeful outlook for Lewis County—one where every child has the chance to explore their potential and every family feels supported along the way. United Way of Lewis County is proud to be part of this effort and look forward to the positive impact it will bring for generations to come.
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