For nearly 100 years, the building we now happily occupy has functioned as a safe haven for children. Originally, our new home was constructed as the Temporary Home and Day Nursery in 1910, fully paid for by Worcester area benefactors. In the early 1950s, Edward Street Day Care assumed operation of programs for Worcester-area children through to 2001. Now, Rainbow continues the legacy -- in this grand and memory-filled building -- of services and programs for our city’s children and their families.

Getting us here has been a long journey. Since July 2002, (when negotiations to purchase the building began), Rainbow has looked anxiously toward the day when overcrowded classrooms and cramped office space would be history. Cutler Associates was hired over a year later to design and head the renovations that were required before the move could take place. The health and safety phase required removal of asbestos, lead paint, an unsafe playground, and the repair and renovation of a host of other hazards to children. The addition of new fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, the construction of an elevator shaft, and creation of new bathrooms also needed to be addressed before Rainbow’s youngsters could enter the building.

Our new home provides the agency with so much! There are now additional classrooms to provide learning opportunities for more preschool children then ever, more functional administrative office space, a larger kitchen and dining room for the preparation and serving of the children’s meals, more storage areas, workshop and meeting space for board, staff and parents, and additional space to allow the agency to consider other innovative programming opportunities for children and their parents.

The long hours and hard work of many, many staff, volunteers, Board members, and friends are responsible for getting us in the door today. Rainbow is thrilled to be here, and looks forward to welcoming visitors, and celebrating the beginning of a new era for all involved.