Ribbon Cutting Welcomes New Children's Village In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The doors to the brand-new Children’s Village Education Center at Doylestown Health opened on Monday as a new chapter begins in the history of the school.

Over the weekend, officials cut the ribbon and dedicated the new school, which rose from the destruction and debris of a tornado that struck the hospital campus on August 4, 2020.

After making sure everyone was okay, Doylestown Health President and CEO James Brexler said he remembers looking out over the devastation and wondering, “Where do we go from here?”

Pointing to the brand new facility now standing behind him as a beacon of what can be accomplished when the community comes together, he said emphatically, “This is where we went from there,” as applause erupted from the audience.

Jeanne and John Hubbard were given the honor of cutting the ribbon on the new Children's Village at Doylestown Health. (photo by Jeff Werner)

Jeanne Hubbard smiles after cutting the ribbon on the new Children's Village.

The hospital could have used the land for offices or any number of programs and services, but he said the board of trustees, the Village Improvement Association, and Doylestown Health were all in agreement. “Children’s Village is the highest priority and we need to rebuild it no matter what it takes,” said Brexler.

Inside the new educational space, with its brightly-colored hallways and rooms, kids will be immersed in a fun learning environment with a magical tree house library, a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, an art studio, a musical therapy garden, a multi-purpose playhouse, and lots of new outdoor play areas.

Children, parents, teachers, staff, and visitors enter the new building through the Gorsky Welcome Center where a large mural of an agricultural scene decorates the wall. To the right is the Hubbard Art Center and the Hubbard Playhouse. And straight ahead is the Goble Library and a learning kitchen.

“This is such a proud and exciting day not only because it marks the opening of our beautiful new early childhood education center, but because of what it represents - the coming together of so many dedicated individuals who believe in the mission of Doylestown Health and the service it provides to our community,” said Marianne Chabot, chair of the board of trustees. “Your heartwarming generosity will allow Children’s Village to stand as a reminder of what is possible when enthusiasm is combined with strength and a willingness to make an impact. I look forward to seeing the amazing joy that will live within these walls.”

Since its doors opened in 1986, Children’s Village has been a shining example of Doylestown Health’s commitment to growth, excellence, and community, added Helen Hammes, president of the Village Improvement Association, which founded Doylestown Hospital a century ago. “Clearly
designed to shine a focus on children and learning, this new facility demonstrates the power of hope and hard work that our founders so championed.”

Throughout the dedication, Brexler thanked the many people who came forward and helped make the new Children’s Village a reality, including U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and State Senator Steve Santarsiero who he said "have been a constant voice of support to the hospital.”

“It’s really exciting to see this center here today,” said Santarsiero who secured a $2 million capital grant for the project. “We look forward to this facility impacting the lives of children and families for many years to come.”

Youngsters exploring one of the classrooms at the new Children's Village.

The Hubbard Playhouse was generously donated by Jeanne and John Hubbard.

Inside Teddy Bear Forest.

Youngsters explore the tree house inside the Goble Library.

Barbara Hebel, the vice president of Human Resources at Doylestown Health, said when the tornado swept through and threatened to end Doylestown Health's tradition of early childhood care, "our strength of spirit proved even stronger than the winds of that day.

"The commitment by this organization, the teachers, and the community to rebuild was immediate," she said. "And in the months that followed plans began to take shape.”

The result, said Hebel, is a brand new school equipped with features designed to "stimulate the imagination" through play and learning. It also incorporates a number of links to the past, including bricks from the old school that are now holding up the lobby area, said Hebel.

Hebel likened the journey from August 2020 to today to the children's story, "The Wizard of Oz," which begins with a tornado sweeping Dorothy and her dog, Toto, into the far off land of Oz.

"There's no place like home," said Hebel. "It's time to bring our children back. It's time to bring our children back to their home."

Bernadette Rodrigo, the director of Children’s Village who Hebel said was the "glue that held everything together for the last three years," received a standing ovation as she stepped to the microphone.

Rodrigo called the new building "remarkable," adding that it will be even more remarkable when children are back in the classrooms learning and playing.

"The broken building that used to be here served as a stark reminder of the storm's devastation, but as the construction neared completion it showed that Children's Village was being transformed through optimism, recovery, and resilience," said Rodrigo. "As a fully licensed and nationally accredited early childhood education center this facility has nearly doubled in size. It's been carefully designed with a very intentional play-based curriculum. Through play, we are teaching the skills necessary for these kids to go on to be successful in life."

Children’s Village alumnus Nick Gorsky and his wife, Halley, returned to the school to help celebrate the opening and to see the new Gorsky Entrance and Welcome Center and the Gorsky Amphitheater generously funded by his parents, Alex and Pat Gorsky.

"This was much more than a preschool for me," said Gorsky. "It was here that I formed the core of my values, where I learned the essence of friendship, the importance of respect, and the general joy of discovery and learning. Each day brought new discoveries and lessons.

Nick and Halley Gorsky in the Gorsky Main Entrance and Welcome Center generously donated by Nick's parents, Alex and Pat Gorsky.

Doylestown Health's President and CEO Jim Brexler talks shop with State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan.

"But those experiences were not just momentary," he said. "They laid the foundation for my character, instilling the values and principles that I still carry with me today. And it's these reflections that made me realize the lasting impact of the loving and nurturing environment created here at Children's Village."

Closing out the remarks were Jeanne and John Hubbard who took a lead on the rebuilding effort and who donated generously toward the new Children's Village.

"They were more than just a donor," said Brexler. "They have stood with us from the very beginning to say, 'We need this to happen. We need it to come back.' And by the way, she had a checklist of everything we had to do to make this right. She wanted to make sure this building would not be blown away, would not be unsafe, and would be the best learning environment ever for children and be world-class."

Jeanne expressed "gratitude for all the people involved from the design team to the architects, the builders, and the committee who tolerated all my questions and concerns along the way. Most especially I'd like to thank everyone who donated, met our matches and made the dream possible. Taking care of our children is taking care of our future," she said. "Children's Village is the crowning jewel to this extraordinary community and hospital. We are grateful to have been involved."

Jeanne added that over the past three years in talking to people in Doylestown, she heard one question over and over again: "When will it be done?" "So honoring Dr. Seuss I wrote a little poem for the children titled, 'When will it be done?'"

When Will It Be Done?

When will it be done?
I don't know. I can't say

When will it be done?
Kids want to learn and play.

When will it be done?
It might be months or years.

When will it be done?
Someday soon, please no tears.

When will it be done?
Look. There are buildings. One. Two. Three. Four.

When will it be done?
Where's the key to that door?

When will it be done?
Very soon. It's near.

When will it be done?
Surprise. It's here!