yOCA's Story & BIG Vision
The y in yOCA is a double word play on Our to mean that this is Your & Our Children's Academy and Foundation. We believe that every family deserves inclusion, support, and resources to help shape a BIG future!
Since the inception of yOCA Foundation, we have been engaging in hands-on work at the grassroots level to achieve first-hand experience and knowledge of the need for both capacity-building and training programs.
yOCA's Story & Founder
yOCA Foundation is a public charity formed on May 13, 2024, located in Montgomery, AL. The name, yOCA, is derived from the acronym of our affiliated school, yOur Children’s Academy Child Development and Preschool [dba Our Children's Academy].
yOur Children's Academy is a high-quality academic center that has been servicing children from Birth to Preschool since October 2021. yOur Children's Academy is a minority, woman-owned, self-financed business operated and directed by its sole owner, Kay McGrew Cullers. Our Academy is currently a 4Star quality-rated school through the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Quality Stars program.
yOCA Foundation is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in our community. Our philosophy builds upon parental/community belonging, student success, and narrowing the achievement gap from Birth to age eight. yOCA will accomplish this by positioning our foundation as "the village" families need and expanding our academic programs to include a high-quality Kindergarten through 3rd Grade program. While reading proficiently and at grade level by the time a student completes third grade is a major educational milestone critical to all other learning, having vital supports to thrive in life and respond to challenges is essential to a parent's ability to live a sustainable livelihood adequately.
"Our model increases social belongingness, access to quality education and essential services, and empowers ALL families to prepare for and respond to life's needs."
yOCA Founder's
Humble Beginnings
"I began teaching as a Bible Study Preschool Teacher at age 19. This experience sparked the Educator in me! From there, I had opportunities to work as a Preschool Teacher, an After School Coordinator, a Daycare Administrator, and a volunteer at Inner City programs. Of greater recognition, I helped begin, run, and leave a lasting foundation for a Children’s Church program at three different churches.
I am a former educator of MPS (2015-2021), and have taught at Montgomery County Community Action Head Start. I resigned from Flowers Elementary in May 2021 to begin yOur Children's Academy. I have an extensive professional background of over 20 years working in law firms, managing business operations, and overseeing human resources. I am also a Real Estate Broker/Owner of State2State Realty. I possess a Master's degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelor's in Human Resource Management, and two Associate's in Early Childhood Education and Business Administration.
Training the young, strengthening families, and managing God's business is my life, and I am blessed to truly receive joy from every minute of it!"
"I embark on opportunities to still teach God's Word to His Children!"
BIG Vision:
Future Home of yOCA's
Kindergarten - Grade 3 Academy
yOur Children's Academy has a BIG vision to expand its services to include a high-quality Kindergarten through 3rd Grade academic program as an extension of its Child Development and Preschool Academy by the year 2027.
Through initiatives of yOCA Foundation, yOur Children's Academy is seeking to purchase this property located at 1011 Monticello Court for this BIG vision. This property sits directly in front of Our Academy, was once used to "take life," is dilapidated, and lures loiters. yOur Children's Academy must possess this land and transform this property into God's "Garden of Eden" for educational purposes.
As a sole, self-financed business owner, yOCA's Founder realizes the need for supernatural support to accomplish this essential mission. Through your contributions, yOCA Foundation will be able to donate your divine donations to purchasing, renovating, and "bringing life" efforts of this lifeless, eyesore of a property, as well as to fund yOur Children's Academy K-Grade 3 startup and overhead costs. Together, we can create a bold change in our community that brings hope and opportunities to Our Academy and the families we serve!
