Javinia Downes

President & CEO

Javinia Downes became an FCC Provider 21 years ago. At the time, she had a six year old daughter and newborn son. Seeing that working a minimum wage job with a High School Diploma would not cover the cost of 2 children in childcare, she then decided to help support her family by becoming an FCC Provider on-post at Fort Riley, KS for 4 years. Her family then moved to Germany where she worked in the school system on base during the 2 years they were stationed there.

Next, Javinia’s family was stationed in Maryland where she continued to work in the school system with students in the Special Education Program. In 2009 when her family moved to Fountain, CO, she wanted to be home with her children again, even though they were older, she became a Licensed Childcare Provider. In 2015, after becoming a single parent, Javinia changed her license to a Large Childcare Home to better support her family. Seeing such a shortage of childcare in her community, in 2021 she partnered with Fountain Valley Communities That Care (FVCTC) with the hopes of making a difference. Utilizing her experience as a business owner she saw how much of a financial burden it is for Childcare Providers to start their businesses. While partnered with Ft. Riley and Ft. Carson, she was able to access their Lending Libraries and realized how much it helped by providing quality materials for her business. Javinia also saw that obtaining affordable Health Care within her profession was a huge obstacle.

She was motivated to start an Association for Childcare Providers to allow new and established Providers access to quality materials at a minimal cost, as well as provide support and services that would provide avenues to Health Care, mentorship programs and training for continuing education hours. With the assistance of the FVCTC Coalition, FVCARES was awarded the Circle Grant to carry out these goals.