Interfaith Neighbors

Dr. Lorenzo Harris, Jr. Early Childhood Education Center

Every child needs and deserves a caring, nurturing start to life, with education and enrichment that form a lifelong foundation. Quality early childhood care and education benefit our children, their families – for generations – and entire communities. 

$3,000,000 budgeted from Meeting the Moment Campaign.

One of the major components of the Meeting the Moment Campaign includes the establishment of a new early childhood education center to the West Side neighborhood of Asbury Park. Through community engagement and market research, it was determined that families from the West Side neighborhood did not have access to affordable, quality options for their youngest learners to set them on a path for future academic success. The first years of life are vital and our work over the past 35 years has taught us that early childhood education and enrichment in a nurturing environment will lead to prepared students and, eventually, knowledgeable and engaged citizens. Additionally, ensuring that quality education and care are affordable and accessible improves a family’s outcomes – allowing parents to go to work or further their own education.

The new Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) is approximately 4,200 square feet.

  • Provides education and enrichment in a caring environment for children from three months to three years.
  • Offers tuition based on a family’s ability to pay.
  • Serves as a hub for the entire family, connecting them to other relevant programming for wellness and family success.

Project Status

The ECLC opened its doors in September 2023. It was dedicated in honor of Dr. Lorenzo Harris, Jr., a primary care physician who served families in the West Side neighborhood for decades. Dr. Harris was also a community leader who served as a Councilman for the City of Asbury Park and advocated for families across the city.

Early Childhood Learning Center Dedication and Ribbon Cutting – September 12, 2023

After less than a year into operations, Interfaith Neighbors is already in the planning stages to expand the classroom space in the ECLC to accommodate children aged three to five years old. Initially, a second education center was planned within the new Marmora Center. However, it has been determined that a better path is to expand operations at the existing ECLC, letting children stay in the same setting through their enrollment in kindergarten.

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