MOUNT VERNON — Knox County’s wait for much-needed childcare assistance is over. It ended with Captain Christine Moretz cutting the ceremonious ribbon at the Salvation Army’s Learning Lighthouse in Mount Vernon on Sunday.
Around 40 people stepped inside the new $6.2-million building, giving thanks to God and all those who put time and money into the project.
“We are so very excited to be in this new space, The Learning Lighthouse, a beacon for all and such an exciting opportunity to care for our young people and to invest in our future right here in Mount Vernon and Knox County,” Moretz said.
The 13,270-square-foot building on Howard Street will serve 112 children with daycare services. Its first fully operational day will be on Jan. 26.
The church’s Assistant Chief Secretary Lieutenant Colonel David Davis shared a message from Commissioner Ralph Bukiewicz as well as his own celebratory comments.
“We as the collective army, join Commissioner Bukiewicz in saying that we are grateful for [Captain Moretz’s] leadership, vision, compassion, wisdom and commitment in getting the job done,” Davis said.
“The building will be a beacon of light to the community it serves, and so, it’s time to celebrate the hard work that brings us here today.”
behind the scenes of the learning lighthouse project
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Mayor Matt Starr makes a proclamation
Before Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr presented a proclamation to Moretz, he shared some words of encouragement to the people working inside this new building.
“Yes, this is a building, but it’s not the building that makes the difference — you do,” Starr said.
“The building allows for us to be able to provide those moments, and those of you in leadership positions, those quiet moments of leadership where you actually make a difference.”
“In the classroom, in the hallways, in the sanctuary when everybody has left for service. There’s no fanfare, there’s no press, there’s no paparazzi of phones around by any stretch of the imagination. It’s just you doing the work, not because it’s easy, but because it matters.”
Starr proclaimed Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, as Salvation Army Day, in honor of the Salvation Army’s 139 years of service to the City of Mount Vernon.
“We are so very excited, and we know our school age children have already been in the building, and we anticipate to open completely all daycare on Monday, Jan. 26,” Moretz said.
“We are very excited to fill this place up with love, laughter and joy.”
Read Source Media Properties’ full childcare series, It Takes A Village, here.
