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 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 finances, and overseeing human resources responsibilites. 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 Associates in Early Childhood Education and Business Administration.
I received the vision for this venture at age 23 while living in Georgia. Everything I did from that point was for this very moment that I am living. Training the young, helping families, and managing God's business is my life. I am blessed with supernatural joy from every minute of it!"
"I am so grateful to have been chosen for God's assignment in providing quality education to yOur Children. To know "MsKAY" is to know that OCA is MyBaby... literally! It took me 21 years and a lot of determination to begin the conception of this Big Vision. And, I cherish every moment as a precious, generous gift from Our Father above. So, I embark on opportunities to still teach God's Word to His Children!"
BIG Vision:
Future Home of yOCA's
Kindergarten Academy
yOur Children's Academy has a BIG vision to expand its services to include a high-quality Kindergarten through Grade 5 academic program as an extension of its Child Development and Preschool Academy by the year 2027.
Property 1011 Monticello Court sits directly in front of yOur Children’s Academy to the left. I believe this property has been placed before us for a greater purpose and would be particularly advantageous to yOur Children’s Academy Kindergarten program. It was once associated with taking life, is dilapidated, an eyesore, and continues to attract loitering. Its condition has been a concern for Our Academy and neighborhood. I have personally patrolled this area relentlessly and attended numerous City Council meetings to advocate for action regarding this abandoned property. While I understand that there is only so much the City Council can do, I believe in supernatural intervention. What may appear to some as a neglected property, I see as an opportunity to transform what was once lifeless into a place where Our Children can learn, grow, and thrive.
BIGGER Vision:
Future Home of yOCA's Elementary Academy
(Grades 1-5)
Property 1020 Monticello Court sits directly in front of yOur Children’s Academy to the right. It is a two-story building and consists of three separate lots. It is currently being used as rental office spaces, and would require some costly renovations due to its age. I have spoken with the owner regarding the purchase of the building and the lots in front and behind it for the sole purpose of expanding yOur Children's Academy. The lot behind this property leads directly into yOur Children's Academy PreK playground area, making this property a particularly strategic and ideal location for the expansion of Our Academy Elementary (Grades 1-5).
I believe The Big Vision is more than an acquisition of two properties. It is an opportunity to walk by faith and transform a challenge in our community into a blessing for Our Children and the generations to come.
Imagine God's BIG Vision
Imagine what can happen when a property that once represented neglect—Property 1011—and a property that is ready for new life—Property 1020—are transformed into places where Our Children learn to read, discover their gifts, build confidence, develop practical skills, and dream boldly about their futures.
Imagine these properties becoming an extension of Our Children’s Academy Child Development and Preschool campus, creating a unified educational community within the same cul-de-sac.
Picture a Garden of Eden, where children can experience the joy of gardening and farming firsthand—learning where food comes from, developing responsibility, nurturing living things, and discovering the connection between nature and their own growth.
Imagine a dedicated Kindergarten Building, designed specifically to give our youngest learners a strong foundation as they transition into formal education.
Then envision a Grade 1–5 Building, providing a purposeful environment where children can continue building their literacy, mathematics, critical-thinking, creativity, character, and leadership skills as they grow.
Now, imagine a child beginning their educational journey at yOur Children’s Academy and progressing naturally from early childhood education into elementary school—without having to leave the familiar community, relationships, and educational environment that helped establish their foundation. We envision a community where parents can rest assured knowing their children have access to quality education from newborn through Grade 5—a safe and nurturing environment where children are seen, valued, taught, trained, and inspired to reach their God-given potential.
Together, we can create bold change in our community and increase the educational opportunities available to the children and families we are blessed to serve by creating intentional spaces where children are equipped to learn, empowered to discover who they are, and encouraged to imagine who they can become.