Skagit Talk, September 29, 2026 – View article on SkagitTalk.com

 

Children of the Valley (COV), a free, referral-based after-school program for under-resourced youth in Skagit Valley, has received a $200,000 community benefit grant from PeaceHealth United General Medical Center to help fund a new permanent COV site at Central Elementary School in Sedro-Woolley. The grant will support the program’s move from its current location at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church to a dedicated portable on campus featuring two classrooms.

 

This groundbreaking grant, combined with $11,090 raised by the Sedro-Woolley community over the summer, moves COV significantly closer to its fundraising goal for the portable at Central Elementary School. COV still needs to raise an additional $53,910 before construction can begin, with the goal of opening by the end of 2026, to be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 

“This transformative grant is an incredible investment for Children of the Valley and, more importantly, for the children and families we serve in Sedro-Woolley,” said Flora Lucatero, Executive Director of Children of the Valley. “Having a dedicated space means we can create a place where students feel known, supported and inspired to dream big while giving our program a permanent home to grow with the community. We are incredibly grateful for this generous investment in our children. We’re now just $53,910 away from making this vision a reality, and we invite our community to help us take that final step together.”

 

“We know that a child’s health is shaped by more than what happens in a doctor’s office or hospital. Safe environments, supportive relationships, academic success and strong family connections all play a huge role in lifelong wellbeing,” said Marco Brito, Director of Clinical Services at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center. “Children of the Valley provides those essential supports for local youth, and we are proud to be able to help them expand their reach so more children in Sedro-Woolley have the opportunity to thrive.”

 

“We are beyond grateful to PeaceHealth for supporting our community through this community benefit grant. This portable will give COV a forever home in Sedro-Woolley and provide a dedicated space for COV to serve our Sedro-Woolley students. We truly appreciate PeaceHealth’s investment in our students and our community,” said Karissa Sokol, Principal of Central Elementary School.

 

Since 2006, Children of the Valley has provided academic assistance, enrichment activities, social-emotional learning, family support, and mentorship to under-resourced children across the Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Burlington-Edison, and Conway school districts. The portable project is part of COV’s broader Dream Big Campaign, a $5 million initiative to expand programming capacity and build a separate endowment for long-term sustainability. The new Central Elementary site will allow COV to serve Sedro-Woolley students in a permanent, purpose-built space for the first time.

 

With $53,910 left to raise before construction can begin, COV invites community members and local businesses to join PeaceHealth in bringing this permanent home to life. To learn more about the Dream Big Campaign or to make a gift, visit the Children of the Valley website.