Kids Can Community Center Hosts Groundbreaking at New Building
Kids Can Community Center (www.KidsCan.org) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on August 10 for their new building on 48th and Q Streets. The ceremony included comments from Kids Can CEO Robert Patterson and Omaha Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan. Kids Can has served Omaha residents since 1908 and they have been in their current building at 49th and Q Streets since 1964.
The new building will be just one block away from the current location. The facility will double the square footage and will allow the organization to expand programming and capacity. For the first time in its history, Kids Can will begin providing infant care. Highlights of the new building include:
- Double the current square footage to ≈27,000 square feet
- Double the current capacity from 125 to 250 children
- Six early childhood classrooms including two infant rooms
- Three out-of-school classrooms including a STEM room
- Expanded gymnasium for future events and tournaments
- Community room for collaborative trainings and meetings
- Nature-based outdoor play areas
“We are breaking new ground literally and figuratively,” said Patterson. “With our new building, we will have new programs, like infant care, for the first time in our history. We are excited for this next chapter for Kids Can in our second century of service. We have been working towards this vision for many years and I’m thrilled this dream is becoming a reality. The best part is that we are staying in our neighborhood that we truly love.”
Kids Can’s “Get In Gear” capital campaign will raise funds necessary to complete the project. More details about the campaign and the new building can be found at www.kidscan.org/capital.html.
At Kids Can Community Center, their mission is to educate, engage, and inspire children through early childhood education and out of school experiences. Founded in 1908 as Social Settlement Association, the organization has evolved over the past century to meet the continually changing needs of children and families in the community. Learn more at www.KidsCan.org.