Turning kindness into an essential business

Connecticut child care center uses PPP loan to stay open for kids of front-line workers, rehire staff

Some businesses are started out of passion, while others are born out of necessity. For Robin Golia, her story is a fateful and fearful mix of both.

A decade ago, Robin’s eldest son, Gary, was in the Army and stationed in Germany. He was a single dad, and while deployed appointed Robin as the guardian of his 18-month-old son.

During this difficult time, Robin struggled to find affordable child care in Connecticut for her grandson. She ended up settling on a center that charged more than $180 per week, even though she was only using their services for about 15 minutes a day.

“It got to the point where my son called me from overseas to ask why I was taking out so much money each week from his account,” Robin recalled.

Robin explained to him that child care centers charged a flat rate, regardless of how many hours the child is actually cared for. This system didn’t sit well with Robin, so she decided to research other child care centers in the area that offered hourly options.

She couldn’t find any.

While defeated, Robin saw an opportunity. Despite no background in education or child care, she was motivated to make a difference as a mother and grandmother. So, she began the process of starting her own child care center. And after generous financial backing from her mother-in-law, ABC Learn with Me Inc. opened in 2011 in Branford, Connecticut.

“It was important to me that we offer hourly rates,” she said, “because I didn’t want to see any other families struggle to find safe, accessible, and affordable child care like we did.”

Robin Golia has kept ABC Learn With Me open to help care for children of front-line workers during the pandemic.

Finding relief during hard times

Today, ABC Learn with Me is a 6,000 square foot facility. The center offers care for babies as young as six weeks old. It includes preschool rooms, as well as a before- and after-school program for older kids.

At the start of 2020, there were around 100 children enrolled, and the center was doing well. However, that all changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pretty much overnight, we went from having a full facility to not knowing if we would be able to keep our doors open,” Robin admitted. “At the beginning, the parents kept paying their dues to help me out. But once everyone realized that the virus wasn’t going anywhere, it all stopped and we barely had any money coming in.”

No longer able to afford payroll, Robin was forced to let go of all 20 employees. The once successful business owner was at her breaking point when she first heard about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from Citizens Relationship Manager Jill Wilson-Hromadka. The U.S. Small Business Administration-backed program was created to provide business loans to organizations hurt economically by the pandemic, prioritizing the retention and hiring of staff.

The center had been taking a hit and Robin knew she had to do something before it was too late.

“My employees were too good to lose, and our parents, especially those who are essential workers, needed us to be open,” she noted. “Front-line workers are doing so much for us right now, and I had to make it all work for them.”

A hero amongst heroes

Here’s the thing about Robin: She’s quick to hand out praise to others and slow to accept it for herself. While her humble nature makes her a thoughtful leader, it’s also what pulls her away from the spotlight. So, when it came to uncovering just how much Robin gave — and gave up – for the sake of others, few people had as good of a seat as Jill to Robin’s heroism.

“Back in March, I honestly assumed Robin’s business would be closed like the rest of my day care clients,” Jill shared.

ABC Learn with Me had 100 kids enrolled prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, that number has dropped to 20.

But, despite the urging from other child care centers in the area to close to prevent further operational costs, Robin stayed open to support the front-line workers in her Branford community. The decision, while selfless, was putting Robin in a risky financial position.

“Robin was paying with her personal money just to keep the lights on in the center for those kids,” said Jill. “She even traveled long distances on her own time and dime to find masks and hand sanitizer when her normal supplier was out of stock, because the safety of her students is her top priority.”

In fact, even health inspectors, upon reviewing her facility, told her that she went above and beyond their strict safety standards.

“Robin is one of the most humble people I know, so I had to keep reminding her that she was more than qualified to receive a PPP loan,” Jill revealed. “Without it, the center would be at risk of closing, which helps no one.”

Robin agreed.

Once ABC Learn with Me received the first round of PPP funding in Spring 2020, Robin put the money right toward payroll. While there have only been 20 kids — a far cry from the 100 earlier in the year — going to the center, she used the money to hire back her entire staff of 20. She even continued to pay those employees who were unable to physically return to the center due to health concerns.

“From the start, I told Jill that even if it was just for two students, I had to be here for the front-line workers and their families … and she has helped me make that happen,” Robin explained.“Jill was right by my side through the quick loan process, offering me guidance and support.”

Going forward

While the future is still uncertain, Robin is looking ahead with a bit more optimism these days. She’s currently working with Citizens to secure her second PPP loan. Jill has once again stood by Robin’s side as she refocuses on succeeding — not just surviving — as a small business owner.

“The support I’ve received throughout the year has pulled me through some dark times,” confided Robin.

Even her customers have stepped up. Parents made sure the child care center had safety products and paper goods when supplies were impossible to get. One parent even offered unbeatable rates on deep cleaning services for the facility. It’s clear that Robin doesn’t take a single act of kindness for granted. In fact, she believes in paying it forward without hesitation.

“We have parents who can barely afford to pay us right now, but we make sure we offer them the support they need to get by,” Robin explained. “That’s what we do here. We lift each other up and help those who fall.”

Robin is working with Citizens to secure a second PPP loan for ABC Learn with Me.

Robin has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and understanding she has experienced through the center during the pandemic. To express her gratitude, she recently worked with her daughter-in-law, Merissa Golia, a teacher at ABC Learn with Me, to create dedication hearts for essential workers and community supporters to be displayed around the center.

Right now, the center only allows one parent at a time for drop off and pick up, so there is a line that forms outside of the building. Robin had her son, Justin, display the hearts all around the entrance so parents can admire them as they wait in line.

Robin added with a smile, “We even have one for bankers.”

Regardless of how a business gets started, this past year has made one thing clear: No business can survive without heart.

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Small businesses like yours have an immeasurable impact on our communities. Amid these difficult times, we’re committed to helping you navigate the current environment and position your business for future success. Check out all the ways we’re stepping up for our communities and local businesses, including PPP loans, at the link below.

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