Zion Education Center

What Zion Education Center does

Zion Education Center, Inc. is a Pennsylvania-incorporated private nonprofit headquartered at 602 Roemer Boulevard in Farrell, PA, operating Mercer County's only licensed early learning program. It provides free early learning classrooms, childcare services, home visits, and crisis response support for children ages 1-5, and is extending that footprint in 2025 with St. John's Academy (after-school care for ages 5-12) and Gigi's Heavenly Care (infant care for ages 6 weeks to 2 years). The organization holds Keystone STARS 4 accreditation, the highest quality tier in Pennsylvania's early childhood rating system, which likely underpins access to public funding streams.

Its core platform is the CYPEN (Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network) division and its CYPEN 4G Network, a four-generation service framework that connects young children, parents in crisis, child specialists, and "GiGi" mentors aged 55+ to address trauma associated with the opioid epidemic, homelessness, sexual abuse, violent crime, incarceration, and truancy. CYPEN bundles several evidence-based curricula—24/7 Dad and Understanding Dad (National Fatherhood Initiative), Circle of Security Parenting (Haven Professional Counseling), and C.A.E.'s PREP-4-Work (social-emotional learning and financial literacy)—delivered through a 26+ partner ecosystem spanning higher education, mental health, faith-based, and social service organizations. A proprietary client assessment software designed by Community Arts Experience, Inc. supports weekly team case management.

The revenue model is a freemium/free-to-user structure: all direct services (early learning, childcare, home visits, summer school care, crisis response, after-school care with meals) are provided at no cost to families, with funding sourced from donations via the website and government/public grants tied to licensed childcare and PA DHS benefits screening. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on the partner network, online booking for appointments, and an active social media presence across Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube. Customer segments span infants through youth ages 24, with vertical segmentation by age band and crisis exposure. Leadership is founder Jennifer Bennifield with CEO Dr. April L. Torrence and a Board of Directors chaired by President Camron Phillips.

Name

Zion Education Center

Legal name

Zion Education Center, Inc.

Website

https://zioneducationcenter.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zion Education Center is a Mercer County, Pennsylvania nonprofit operating the county's only licensed early learning program, providing free childcare, early learning, home visits, crisis response, and parenting education for children ages 6 weeks through 12, funded by donations and public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education and Childcare Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusive / Special-Needs Childcare Centers (EDACAAAH), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), Inclusion, Special Needs & Early Intervention Training (IEPs/IFSPs, Neurodiversity) (EDACAIAF)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Childcare services
• Licensed early learning
• Family support services
• Community youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Farrell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website, indicating donation-based funding as a revenue stream.
2. Government/Public Funding: As Mercer County's only licensed early learning program offering FREE services, the organization likely receives government grants or subsidies for childcare and early learning services. They also provide PA DHS Benefits Screening services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zion Education Center is a non-profit licensed early learning organization that provides free early learning classrooms, childcare services, home visits, and crisis response support for children ages 1-5 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Through its CYPEN (Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network) division, the organization also delivers trauma-informed counseling, mentoring, parenting programs, and the 4G Network connecting children with parents in crisis, child specialists, and GiGi mentors aged 55+.

Product overview

Zion Education Center is a licensed early learning center offering an integrated portfolio of services for children ages 1-12 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. The core offerings include early learning classrooms and childcare services for children ages 1-5, and the St. John's Academy after-school childcare program for ages 5-12. The organization also operates CYPEN (Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network), a comprehensive crisis response and family support division featuring the CYPEN 4G Network that connects children with GiGi mentors and life coaches. CYPEN offers specialized parenting programs including 24/7 Dad, Understanding Dad, Circle of Security Parenting, and C.A.E.'s PREP-4-Work. Additional services include PA DHS benefits screening, summer school care enrollment, and online client/administrative portals. The organization maintains Keystone STARS 4 accreditation as a high-quality child care provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CYPEN (Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network): A division of Zion Education Center, Inc. providing strategic solution-based approach to addressing traumatic childhood experiences including crisis response, counseling, mentoring, and social interactions for children and adolescents affected by heroin/opioid epidemic, homelessness, sexual abuse, violent crimes, incarceration, and truancy.
• St. John's Academy
• Gigi's Heavenly Care
• Buds of Promise Classroom
• PreK Counts Classroom
• CYPEN 4G Network

Products and services

• Early Learning Program Mercer County's only licensed early learning program offering free early learning classrooms, childcare services, home visits, and crisis response support for children ages 1-5.
• St. John's Academy After-school Childcare Program Expanded services for students ages 5-12 including hot meals, nutritious snacks, and educational enrichment opportunities at St. John's Academy.
• CYPEN (Children & Youth Prevention Empowerment Network) Strategic solution-based approach addressing traumatic childhood experiences that lead to adverse childhood memories and long-term emotional trauma. A crisis response network supporting children affected by opioid epidemic, homelessness, sexual abuse, violent crimes, incarceration, and truancy.
• CYPEN 4G Network Four-Generation Network creating meaningful relationships between young children, parents in crisis, child specialists, and 'GiGi' mentors (55+ years) who share wisdom and instills life skills across generations.
• Gigi's Heavenly Care Child care service for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years providing exceptional care in a nurturing environment designed with love.
• Buds of Promise Classroom Early childhood program for children ages 2-3 years providing high-quality experience that nurtures growth and development.
• PreK Counts Classroom Pre-kindergarten education activities for children ages 3-5 targeting school readiness.
• 24/7 Dad Program National Fatherhood Initiative program designed to equip fathers with self-awareness, compassion, and sense of responsibility, focusing on building the man first and the father second.
• Understanding Dad Program National Fatherhood Initiative program helping mothers improve relationships with fathers and better understand the importance of involving dad in their children's lives.
• Circle of Security Parenting Innovative intervention program designed to improve the developmental pathway of children and their parents, presented by Haven Professional Counseling Services.
• C.A.E.'s PREP-4-Work Education-to-work pipeline program that embeds social and emotional learning (SEL) into workshops to prepare participants to thrive in workplace and life.
• Financial Education & Literacy Course Course helping to increase financial capability and instill social values to combat negative reactions to financial and social challenges.
• Life Coaching Sessions Individual life coaching sessions provided within the CYPEN 4G Network for parents in crisis and family members.
• PA DHS Benefits Screening Pennsylvania Department of Human Services benefits screening service to help determine qualification for health and human services, apply for benefits, or check application status.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports families affected by opioid epidemic, homelessness, sexual abuse, violent crimes, incarceration, and truancy

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in CYPEN network providing services to children and families affected by crisis situations.
• Butler County Community College at LindenPointecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partner in CYPEN network supporting workforce development and educational pathways.
• Penn State ShenangocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher education partner in CYPEN network contributing educational expertise and resources.
• Slippery Rock UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in CYPEN network providing academic resources and student involvement.
• Community Arts Experience (C.A.E.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents C.A.E.'s Prep-4-Work program creating integrative education-to-work pipeline with social and emotional learning. Also designed client assessment software used by CYPEN weekly teams.
• Haven Professional Counseling Services, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents Circle of Security Parenting program, an innovative intervention designed to improve developmental pathways of children and parents.
• AWARE, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing services through CYPEN network.
• Capable KidsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in CYPEN network supporting children with special needs.
• Catholic CharitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFaith-based community partner in CYPEN network.
• Children's Aid Society of Mercer CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing child welfare services through CYPEN network.
• Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services partner addressing behavioral health needs in the community.
• Primary Health Network FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing health services access through CYPEN network.
• Sharon Area School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partner supporting educational services and truancy intervention.
• The National Fatherhood InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational program presented by Rev. Terrence J. Harrison through CYPEN, offering 24/7 Dad and Understanding Dad programs for fatherhood development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/zioneducenter?s=11
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Ey17OGgMgkI
• Facebookfacebook.com/zioneducenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/zioneducenter?utm_medium=copy_link
• TikTokvm.tiktok.com/TTPd6d6LH6

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zion Education Center