Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucia And Britney Loveland And Nelson.
Hi Lucia and Britney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
ReVillage was founded in 2020 by a group of moms, in the midst of the pandemic, because they saw and experienced firsthand what it is to be isolated and unsupported in the heroic task of raising children. They set out not only to mitigate the childcare crisis but to accompany parents and caregivers as they try to “do it all”: work meaningful jobs, provide for their families, and be present emotionally to their children. What started as a group of parents in a living room, quickly became a collaboration of the community and grew into a childcare facility.
First and foremost, ReVillage is a community: a community of teachers, staff, parents, children, and community members who all work together, and support one another fostering new connections and meaningful relationships. Revillage is a CO-OP, designed for parents to be able to come in and volunteer their time, towards helping our teachers. This idea is to bring more of a community feeling to the childcare setting.Now, as a full time program, we are a “co-op lite” with both paid, licensed facilitators & daily parent / caregiver participation. Co-oping allows the parent / caregiver to be involved in their children’s care on a regular basis. By working in the classroom, family members, immediate and extended, contribute their special skills to our community, opening a completely new range of expertise to the children
Families will be scheduled for two 4 hour shifts each month, from 8:30am to 12:30pm for a total of 8 hours per month, per child. We realize that some families have daily tasks that make it challenging to give 8 hours at the center. In these situations, families ask grandparents, aunts and other relatives to become a part of our trained program to be able to give time in lieu of the parent / caregiver. All parents and caregivers that are “giving” time must complete a background check, CPR & First Aid training, other mandatory safety training and a day of orientation prior to starting the program.
ReVillage’s Mission and Vision:
ReVillage works to ensure that all Central Oregon families— across income, race, language, orientation & identity, and background — have the care and opportunity they need to thrive in work and in play by cultivating affordable, accessible, equitable childcare cooperatives; empowering parents; cultivating community; and advocating for system-wide, family-friendly practices and policies.
ReVillage is currently operating Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. ReVillage is currently ran by Executive Director: Britney Nelson, alongside Center Director: Lucia Loveland, as well as a board that oversees ReVillage. ReVillage is licensed for children ages 6weeks-5 years, as well as a summer program that starts after school gets out (June 15th) and ends September 4th for ages 5-12 years.
Here is ReVillages Website: www.revillagebend.com. Please feel free to pull whatever you want off of the website to add to this. I didn’t want to put so much as you are the writer and we would love to have you write it out for us. If you want to and can we would love to have the philosophy added into this as well. Thank you
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where we are at now has been smooth, with some bumps along the way. One of our biggest challenges is finding good, dedicated, and qualified teachers that are passionate about childcare. Another challenge is making families aware of compliances when they are working alongside teachers and in the classroom. While these have been challenges in the past, we have a smooth road and it is looking smoother and smoother each and every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Britney Nelson- I am a mom of two boys with 14 years working in the early childhood field. I have been ReVillages Executive Director since 11/2023 and have supported/assisted with the growth of serving ages 2-5 to the ages we now serve of 6 weeks – 12 years. Previous to 9/2024 ReVillage had two single site classrooms in Bend Oregon. We now have one certified center that hosts 5 classrooms serving ages 6 weeks – 12 years. Over the last 3 years as a team we have successfully acquired grants up to $150,000 to support the program to better meet the communities needs in this childcare desert.
Lucia Loveland- I am a step mom of a boy and a girl as well as with 10 years working experience in the early childhood field. I have been with ReVillage for 6 months. I started as the lead infant teacher for ReVillage in 01/2026, and in 04/2026 I became the center director. Perviously I have been in several certified centers in Bend Oregon, as well as a nanny in Bend Oregon for several families. In 2020 I decided to move out of state to Sierra Vista, Arizona, where I worked in several certified childcare centers there as well. In 12/2024 my fiancé and I decided to move back to Bend Oregon.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Britney- Growing up I always wanted to help people. Originally this was in the form of coaching Special Olympics, volunteering with life skills classes and the high desert museum. I enjoy taking time to get to know others and support them where I can. I ended up in the childcare industry where I started as an Aide 1 (the start to the industry). I have worked every position the childcare industry has to offer which allows me to better support my staffs needs as I am aware of what each position requires and the challenges each position holds. In my personal time I enjoy spending time with my two boys and husband. We love the outdoors, mushroom hunting, fishing and hiking.
Lucia- Growing up I knew I had a dream of helping and working with children. When I was going through high school I decided I wanted to become a paraprofessional and work with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I volunteered with teenagers of this nature when I attend high school at Ridgeview High School. Working alongside of them helped me realize that was my career choice. After high school I was unsure of really what I wanted to do and decided childcare with younger children was my passion. I worked with younger children ages 6weeks- school age at every center and decided through being lead teachers in several centers my dream one day was to become a center director. I have been in the childcare industry since I was 15 years old and I have worked every position from afternoon staff, to lead teachers, to aides, to floats, and now a director. I am very happy and fortunate to have the opportunity to do so with ReVillage! Outside of work I enjoy being outside on the lakes, and rivers, along with fishing and camping with my family. As well as going to the beach!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.revillagebend.com
