Kids Can Community Center Celebrates 113 Years with Plans to Construct New Building
Kids Can Community Center (www.KidsCan.org) is celebrating its 113th anniversary since first opening their doors to serve Omaha as Social Settlement in spring 1908. With the anniversary comes the announcement that they are planning construction of a new center and asking Omahans to join together and donate toward the next chapter of this organization through their “Get In Gear Capital Campaign” to raise the public funds needed to complete the project. With a mission to educate, engage and inspire kids through early childhood care and out-of-school programs, Kids Can has been in their current building at 49th and Q Streets since 1964. According to CEO Robert Patterson, however, they have been overdue for change.
“This building has served us well over the years, but we are ready for the next chapter of this amazing organization,” Patterson said. “I am proud to announce our capital campaign for a brand-new building that will not only double our capacity but improve the quality and depth of our programs.”
Kids Can won’t be going too far, though. In fact, they will be moving just down the street to 48th and Q Street: “The new center will foster an environment truly suited to the needs of the families we serve, including an innovative STEM room, greater classroom and community capacity, and infant childcare for the first time in our history,” said Kids Can parent and Board Chair Krista Eckhoff.
The mission of Kids Can Community Center is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood education and out-of-school experiences. Originally founded in 1908 as Social Settlement Association, the organization has evolved to meet the continually changing needs of children and families in the community. For more information, visit www.KidsCan.org. Get details about the Get in Gear Capital Campaign and make your contribution at kidscan.org/capital.html.