News Release: June 11, 2002The reality that working couples and single parents comprise the bulk of the workforce has corporations nationwide continually finding ways to cultivate a work/life balance.
Merck-Medco, a leading provider of prescription drug care, found one way to help its employees through the establishment of its Child Development Center in Franklin Lakes. The state-of-the-art facility was honored with a 2002 New Good Neighbor Award on June 11 at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association's (NJBIA) 42nd Annual Awards Luncheon at the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place in Iselin.
"It's clear that New Jersey business is energized by the legion of single parent family heads and working couples who make the workplace work," said Franklin Lakes Mayor G. Thomas Donch, who nominated the project. "This Merck-Medco accomplishment is especially meaningful since we live in a state where families are larger than the national average and where the growth rate of families with those under 18 years of age is second in the entire nation."
NJBIA President Joe Gonzalez added, "This project represents the best in children's day care and is a tremendous benefit for Merck-Medco employees who need to care for their young children while they are at work. The Child Development Center will provide a safe and fun environment during the day, and offer developmental and educational programs that will help these children grow."
The 21,000-square-foot facility, which was developed through partnerships with SNS Architects of Montvale, Barr & Barr Builders of Franklin Lakes and Merck-Medco, represents a multimillion-dollar investment at the company's 200-plus acre office and corporate campus in Franklin Lakes. The Center can accommodate up to 200 children, who range in age from six-months to pre-school, and was designed with play areas that were customized for different ages.
"The rainbow-colored rooms, wide hallways, library, showcase kitchen and child-friendly art displayed along the facility's walls were all designed to promote the children's social, emotional and cognitive development and to prepare them for kindergarten," said Sandy Richards, director, Child Development Center. "Parents or even prospective clients can observe children safely at play through the glass-enclosed courtyard that's in the center of the facility. The entire building was designed to be both child-friendly and parent-friendly, which is one of its greatest features."
The New Good Neighbor Awards program recognizes newly built or renovated facilities that have created jobs and contributed to the quality of life in their communities. This year's 13 winners were selected from 45 projects that represent more than $1 billion in combined construction value and will house 13,600 permanent full-time workers.
A panel of independent judges painstakingly reviewed the projects and selected the winners based on architectural merit, jobs created and community involvement. Project nominations were made by a variety of people, including mayors, a state senator, local economic development officials and a chamber of commerce president.
