Methodist Village Senior Living Announces The Village Early Learning Center and ARDOT Grant for Community Connectivity

Fort Smith, AR (January 14, 2026) Methodist Village Senior Living (MVSL) is proud to announce plans to open The Village Early Learning Center in January 2027, a transformative community initiative designed to provide high-quality, affordable childcare for infants through five-year-olds.
 
The Village Early Learning Center will be housed in a fully renovated facility on the MVSL campus and will serve working families throughout the Fort Smith region. The project represents a $2.2 million renovation, and MVSL is pleased to share that $1 million has already been raised toward this goal through generous philanthropic support.
 
“This project has been years in the making and is deeply rooted in our mission,” said Melissa Curry, CEO of Methodist Village Senior Living. “We believe strong communities are built when we care for both ends of life, our seniors and our youngest learners. The Village Early Learning Center is more than a daycare; it is a place where children will be nurtured, educated, and loved.”
 
As a nonprofit, faith-based organization, MVSL is uniquely positioned to address the growing childcare shortage impacting workforce participation, particularly among healthcare workers, educators, and military families. The center will focus on developmentally appropriate curriculum, highly qualified staff, and a safe, enriching environment that supports early learning and social growth.
 
Guided by the motto “Rooted in Care, Growing in Knowledge,” the Early Learning Center will emphasize value-based education, strong family partnerships, and a culture of compassion and excellence.
 
In addition to the Early Learning Center, MVSL recently received a $196,000 grant from the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) to construct a sidewalk connecting the MVSL campus to Carol Ann Cross Park, creating a safe and accessible link between existing walking trails. This project enhances walkability, promotes healthy living, and strengthens connections between MVSL residents, families, children, and the surrounding community.
 
“This sidewalk project reflects our commitment to building an interconnected, inclusive campus,” Curry added. “By linking MVSL to Carol Ann Cross Park, we are investing in safety, wellness, and quality of life for residents, families, and neighbors alike.”
 
 
Together, these initiatives underscore MVSL’s broader commitment to intergenerational connection, community wellness, and long-term sustainability. Future programming will explore opportunities for meaningful interaction between residents and children, fostering relationships that enrich both generations.
 
With strong momentum and significant funding already secured, MVSL continues its capital campaign and invites community partners, donors, and foundations to help bring these transformative projects to completion.
 
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received,” said Curry. “This community believes in investing in children, families, and a healthier future, and that belief is what makes projects like these possible.”
 
“Caring for those who Cared for us, and for the generations that will follow.”
 
Serving our Mission, Striving for our Vision, Sharing Stories, and Leaving a Legacy—For 65 years, MVSL has been caring for our community’s elders through Independent, Assisted, Memory Care, Long-Term Care, and Rehab. Seated on 30 acres in central Fort Smith, our campus is the only “Life Plan Community” in the River Valley. We are pushing forward with innovative care and education, focusing on the whole person and creating a place you would be happy to call home. Call 479-452-1611 to schedule a tour today.
 
 
For more information, visit methodistvillage.com
 
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