Former Fort Carson Soldiers Open Childcare Center in Historic Church

Four ex-military partners transform 1904 Westside church into modernized childcare facility

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:50am

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A brightly colored, abstract silkscreen print featuring a repeating icon of a childcare center building in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon hues and heavy black outlines to capture the spirit of a community-focused service.A modernized childcare center in a historic Colorado Springs church building aims to provide quality early education and support for local families.Fort Carson Today

A group of four former Fort Carson soldiers have partnered to transform a historic 1904 church on Colorado Springs' Westside into a new childcare center. The Havenstone partnership, comprised of Kelly Walsh, Luke Brunea, Benjamin Boyd, and John Buonforte, are focused on creating a secure and engaging environment for local children after facing challenges finding quality childcare themselves or witnessing the struggles of their soldiers.

Why it matters

The new childcare center aims to address the shortage of available and affordable childcare options in the Colorado Springs area, particularly for military families. By repurposing a historic church building, the partners are also preserving an important piece of the community's architectural heritage.

The details

The former church at 30th Street and Pikes Peak Avenue will undergo renovations to modernize the facility while maintaining its historic character, including preserving the stained glass windows. Security will be a top priority, with 38 cameras installed to monitor all areas. The partners also plan to create an engaging curriculum focused on hands-on learning rather than just screen time.

  • The Havenstone partnership formed after the four former Fort Carson soldiers transitioned out of the military.
  • The childcare center is slated to open in September 2026, about six months from now.
  • The partners already have 40 enrollment slots filled for the new facility.

The players

Kelly Walsh

A partner at Havenstone, the company transforming the historic church into a childcare center.

Luke Brunea

A partner at Havenstone and former Fort Carson soldier.

Benjamin Boyd

A partner at Havenstone, former Fort Carson soldier, and father who faced challenges finding quality childcare.

John Buonforte

A partner at Havenstone and former Fort Carson soldier who witnessed the childcare struggles of his soldiers while deployed.

Havenstone

The partnership formed by the four former Fort Carson soldiers to open the new childcare center in the historic church.

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What they’re saying

“This was a vacant church here on the west side, a lot of people just didn't know quite what to do with it.”

— Kelly Walsh, Partner, Havenstone

“We all come from very stressful environments, all combat arms, veterans, all officers.”

— Benjamin Boyd, Partner, Havenstone

“Myself as a company commander, I was deployed down range and I remember being in Iraq and my soldiers were standing there, not worrying about the missions we were going off on, but worrying about the childcare that their kids were not receiving here at home.”

— John Buonforte, Partner, Havenstone

What’s next

The partners are currently navigating the rules and regulations around offering childcare services, with a goal of opening the new center by September 2026.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates how former military members are leveraging their skills and experiences to address critical community needs, in this case the shortage of quality, affordable childcare options for families in Colorado Springs.