Flooded Daycares Finally Getting Help

By Justin Foss, Reporter

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By Justin Foss

Story Created: Nov 25, 2008 at 6:48 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 25, 2008 at 6:48 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Since the flood, it's become difficult for some parents to find day care for their kids.

Agencies in Cedar Rapids say 52 different day care providers and 20 centers suffered some sort of damage in the rising waters.

These small business owners say they've fallen through the cracks.

"I feel really down, like I just lost everything, I guess especially because I was born and raised in that house," said Sandi Ahomana, Daycare Provider.

Because she is a daycare provider, that was also her office. But, when FEMA and the Small Business Administration came through, she didn't get much help.

Why?

Because she had some flood insurance, and because her business was destroyed.

"On that paper, it said that because I didn't have no income coming in, I couldn't have no money to pay back a grant back," said Ahomana.

She isn't alone, at least 35 other providers were hit as hard as she was.

So after HACAP got a major donation from a Cedar Rapids based company called, I-T-C, HACAP is helping day care providers with grants to get them back on their feet.

"It may not be the furnace or the hot water heater, but she lost her business and there's no one source that can replenish all that she's lost," said Robin Robinson, director of Five Giant Steps.

Even this won't fill the toy boxes at the flooded daycares, but its a start.

And some say it is more than they've gotten so far.

HACAP hasn't handed out the grants yet, and said it hopes to get the money in hand in the next few months.

Email Justin Foss at Justin.Foss@kcrg.com

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