Fortuity and South Side Early Learning Co-Host a Big Table Discussion and Announce Partnership to Bring a New Model for Affordable, High-quality Early Childhood Education to Franklinton
Columbus, OH (August 29, 2019) - On Wednesday, Fortuity, a Franklinton social enterprise that provides outsourced contact center and BPO services to Central Ohio corporations, and South Side Early Learning (SSEL), a 97 year old nonprofit that provides affordable high-quality early childhood education and care to low income children and working parents, co-hosted a Columbus Foundation Big Table Discussion on the Future of Early Childhood Education at South Side’s Reeb Avenue location. Fortuity and South Side Early Learning used the forum to announce their partnership in bringing South Side Early Learning’s model for affordable, high-quality early education and care to Franklinton.
“The Columbus Foundation is a huge supporter of Early Childhood Education and Workforce initiatives so we couldn’t think of a better place to announce our partnership,” said Colin McGinnis, South Side Early Learning’s CEO. “We are really excited about our partnership with Fortuity and expanding our program into Franklinton. Fortuity’s mission of creating better work opportunities fits perfectly with our mission of holistic care that enables parents to work or go to school and improve their household’s finances. We’re thrilled to become part of the Franklinton community - a great community where children can live, learn, and grow!”
In late 2017, Fortuity acquired a 75,000 square foot commercial building at 775 West Broad Street, and is in the midst of a $5 million+ renovation to create space for a 500 person Customer Service Center that will launch this fall. The renovation also includes enclosing the ground floor, previously a parking area, to create 11,500 square feet of space for an early childhood education center that can serve 110 children ages 6 weeks to kindergarten.
“Our mission is to create good paying jobs with opportunities for advancement for people living and working in poverty in Columbus’s urban core, so they and their families have the opportunity to participate in the economic development and prosperity that other Central Ohio residents have been experiencing,” said Fred Brothers, Fortuity’s Founder and CEO. “We located Fortuity very intentionally – in the heart of our city, on a high-frequency, high-capacity COTA line so residents of many low-opportunity Columbus neighborhoods can commute to and from work via public transportation. Adding high-quality, on-site early education and care with South Side Early Learning is critical to helping our employees sustain their employment and advance their skills and income.”
South Side Early Learning and Fortuity will also partner to develop the first of its kind “Childcare Connection” service. Once the South Side Franklinton Center fills to capacity, they will partner with other quality centers and local micro transit companies to transport children from Fortuity to other centers that have capacity available, so parents can work while their children experience the same high-quality, convenience and security as the onsite center.
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About Fortuity
Most outsourced contact and BPO centers have high turnover and low employee satisfaction - and it shows in the low quality of their service. Fortuity employs an under-utilized inner-city workforce and invests heavily in technology, training, retention and advancement. Our employees have brighter futures, which helps them provide better service for our clients and their customers.
Fortuity is changing the contact center industry by providing better career opportunities for residents living in low-income, low-opportunity neighborhoods where good jobs aren’t reliably accessible on public transportation.
Their state-of-the-art contact center is in the heart of Franklinton, the oldest community in Columbus. At Fortuity, doing good business means making sure our clients are satisfied and our employees have brighter futures.
Fortuity provides good jobs with flexible hours and benefits that don’t require higher education or relevant work experience. Our employees have a strong work ethic and the desire to learn new skills so that over time they can advance in their careers and earn more. Fortuity is located in Franklinton directly on the Broad Street COTA bus line.
About South Side Early Learning
Mission: Since 1922, the mission of South Side Early Learning (SSEL) has been to ensure that every child six weeks to kindergarten entry living in our community benefits from a holistic, high-quality early education. Providing year-round, early education programs, SSEL works to equip parents and students with the care and skills necessary for a child to succeed in school and beyond.
Vision: We are passionately committed to lead the partnerships, best practices and performance that maximize a child's first 2,000 days.
For more information contact:
Katie Robinson, Fortuity
614-975-4514
Cindy Carlton, South Side Early Learning
614-444-1529 ext. 406