CDFI Helps Pittsburgh Childcare Center Grow to Provide Underserved Neighborhoods with Affordable, Quality Care
Client: Each One Teach One Childcare & Learning Center
Client Location: Pittsburgh, PA
CDFI: Invest PGH
CDFI Service Area: Pittsburgh, PA
A wide variety of small business loan programs ranging from startups, real estate development, childcare, and more
When Dr. Dominique Thornhill set out to open Each One Teach One Childcare & Learning Center, she had one goal in mind: to create a safe, learning environment where children could thrive and families could feel supported. Dr. Thornhill had over a decade of experience in education — she previously served as director of a childcare center and spent nine years as an English teacher in the Pittsburgh Public School District, working in both traditional and alternative education settings.
But like many new entrepreneurs, especially first-time, minority-owned business owners, Dr. Thornhill faced a major barrier: access to startup capital. She needed financing to secure and renovate a facility, purchase classroom materials and furnishings, hire staff, and meet the stringent licensing requirements needed to open. Traditional lenders proved hesitant to take a chance on a new childcare venture, and the process felt discouraging.
Education and Empowerment with CDFI Support
All that changed when she connected with Invest PGH, a local CDFI serving small businesses in the Pittsburgh area through accessible financing, targeted technical assistance, and a commitment to equity. Dr. Thornhill discovered Invest PGH’s Childcare Reinvestment Business Fund (CRiB) through their partner organization, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA).
“Invest PGH and the CRiB program offered more than just financial support — they provided guidance, encouragement, and real partnership,” Dr. Thornhill said. “The process was approachable, and the team truly wanted to see me succeed. That made a huge difference. Mainstream lenders often look at numbers; Invest PGH looked at my potential and the impact I wanted to make.”
With Invest PGH’s flexible funding and technical assistance, Dr. Thornhill secured the resources she needed to bring Each One Teach One Childcare & Learning Center to life.
CDFIs Build Lasting Impact
What began as a single location in 2020 has grown into a thriving network of childcare centers serving Garfield, Wilkinsburg, and Rankin. Together, these centers have created more than 30 jobs, while offering high-quality, affordable childcare in underserved neighborhoods.
Each One Teach One has become more than just a small business or a childcare provider — it’s a cornerstone of a healthy community. Families gain peace of mind knowing their children are in nurturing, developmentally rich environments.
How CDFIs are helping Pennsylvania communities
From 2005-2023, CDFIs in Pennsylvania have provided:
- 97,926 jobs created or retained
- 197,608 education and childcare slots created
- 19,183 small businesses and microenterprises financed
Visit our healthy communities page and small business page to learn more about how OFN and our network of CDFIs invest in these priorities.
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