Building strong foundations for children and families since 1997
More than a decade ago, three Chattanooga business activists shared a vision: to serve the Chattanooga community in a way that would positively impact the lives of children, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. This vision became the 21st Century Child Development and Learning Center.
Theodore R. Wheeler, Jr (a businessman and retired assistant chief of the Chattanooga Police Department), businesswoman Diciree Wheeler, and businessman and ex-law enforcement officer Teddy Wheeler, had all encountered numerous men and women who struggled immensely to maintain stability in their daily lives. The Wheelers identified an unstable childhood as a common thread in the lives of many adults who experienced lifelong challenging circumstances.
It became the Wheelers' mission to establish a center-based learning environment that would nurture children and their families in a safe, Christian setting while simultaneously enhancing child development. As a result of their efforts, the 21st Century Child Development and Learning Center was founded in 1997. Since then, the center's mission has been to enhance the development of the whole child through partnerships with parents and the community at large.
The 21st Century Child Development and Learning Center continues to impact the lives of children and their families in the Chattanooga community through its programs and dedicated staff.
“I want children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. Knowledge is not the same as morality, but we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is to know who we are and what we can do...”
To enhance the development of the whole child in an environment that encourages partnerships between the 21st Century Child Development and Learning Center, parents, and the community.