July 22, 2025
Local News

Vilaseca Day Care Center still needs $44,000

Downtown day care in Joliet raises $16,000

By BY BILL

Veronica Macias, a teacher at the Vilaseca Day Care Center in Joliet, works Feb. 10 with a young child who was unable to sleep during nap time. Vilaseca is run by the Josephine Sisters of Mexico City and may close after 40 years because of low enrollment. The day care has raised $16,000 so far but needs to raise more to stay open. (File photo)

JOLIET – Vilaseca Day Care Center has raised $16,000 so far but needs to raise more money to stay open.

The bilingual Catholic day care center and preschool has been in Joliet for 40 years, but a drop-off in enrollment has brought it to the brink of closure. News of Vilaseca’s troubles came out in early February.

Vilaseca will host two fundraisers in the next few weeks trying to raise another $44,000 to stay open.

The bilingual Catholic day care center and preschool at 351 N. Chicago St. usually has a waiting list of children hoping to enroll. But enrollment fell from an average of 80 children to 49 earlier this year, creating the financial crisis.

Word of the program’s troubles has prompted a response from the community.

“The public has responded very well,” said Sister Araceli Perez, Vilaseca’s director. “We’ve raised $16,000 so far.”

Six more children have enrolled in the school in the last couple weeks, Perez said.

On Monday, Heroes West Sports Grill, 1530 Commerce Drive in Joliet, will donate a portion of sales to Vilaseca. A spaghetti dinner will be held March 16 from noon to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 205 E. Jackson St., Joliet.

Vilaseca is sponsored mostly through tuition and the United Way. The state Board of Education sponsors the food program for the meals, which are prepared by the staff. The Catholic Diocese of Joliet has helped the daycare before, but does not oversee it.

There currently are five programs or classes for children from 15 months to kindergarten licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services. Vilaseca has 16 employees and four nuns on staff. The nuns began the program in 1974, operating from a house on Herkimer Street before moving into the former KSKJ building. Vilaseca holds Mother’s Day and Christmas programs at the Bicentennial Park Theater.

To help

Two fundraisers are planned for Vilaseca:

• Heroes fundraiser: 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Monday, Hero's West Sports Grill, 1530 Commerce Drive, Joliet. Hero's will donate 10 percent of all net sales to Vilaseca. Customers supporting Vilaseca also can enter a raffle for a $25 gift card.

• Spaghetti dinner: Noon to 7 p.m., March 16, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 205 E. Jackson St., Joliet. Dinner includes spaghetti, bread and salad. Pizza, desserts and beverages will be available for additional purchase. The event also will include a silent auction, 50/50 drawings and musical presentations. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children 10 and younger. Call 815-727-1467.

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