Small Business Creates Jobs While Educating Youth

Cubby's Child Care Center - July 20, 2007 Cubby’s Child Care Center - July 20, 2007.
Front Row (L-R) Charles Lindsey, Bridgeport City Council (not pictured); Ruth Allen, Bridgeport City Council; Joyce Spatafore, Owner; Mrs. Spatafor; Joe Spatafore, Owner; Mayor Jim Christie, City of Bridgeport; Jennifer Trippett, Co-Director; Jannell Demarco, Co-Director; Jeanette Laverdierre, Co-Director; Mario Blount, City of Bridgeport Recorder. Second Row (L-R) Joe Manchin, IV; John Perdue, West Virginia State Treasurer; Jamie Corton, Genesis Partnership; Sam Gallo, Huntington Bank; Judy McCauley, Small Business Administration

Cubby’s Child Care Center, a Bridgeport, WV small business has seen its share trials and tribulations the past year. Joyce Spatafore, one of the owners of the new child care center said, “We had a day care center on Cherry Street. We just outgrew it. We had calls from people everyday to enroll their children, but we had no room to expand. We saw a definite need and the desire to accommodate parents was there.”

After having their request for property expansion within the city limits of Bridgeport denied, Joyce was unsure of the future of her treasured dream. Then things changed. With the help of the Mayor of Bridgeport and the developer of Charles Pointe and the SBA, the construction of a state-of-the-art child care facility happened. Cubby’s original square footage tripled and its child care capacity doubled.

Joyce is extremely pleased with the outcome. “My three girls love children and wanted to grow the business to be able to help the parents in the area with their child care needs. The three girls now work at the day care center.” She added, “It is nice to have your family around you. I have my five children and my grandchildren here.” Joyce’s three daughters, Jennifer Trippett, Janelle DeMarco and Jeanette Laverdierre are co-directors the facility. This goes to show you what female determination can do.