Growing Futures Early Education
Led by Executive Director Larry Lewis, Growing Futures Early Education Center is a non-profit organization located in downtown Overland Park, KS, that provides quality early education opportunities and comprehensive family support services to vulnerable children and families living in Johnson County, Kansas.
Growing Futures opened its doors in 1965 as a Head Start summer enrichment program for 17 preschool-aged children from low-income families; today, they impact 800 individuals from our community.
Their Early Head Start and Head Start programs support 223 children ages 0-5. All enrolled families can access support services, including health and nutrition services, onsite play therapy, parent education, mental, medical, and dental health, family support, and engagement opportunities.
In addition, their education program focuses on developing a child’s academic readiness, emphasizing social and emotional development.
Research shows that the first few years after birth are critical in child development and present opportunities for enrichment and vulnerabilities due to poverty and other social stressors.
Roughly 90% of the brain is developed by age 5, so the more time spent on nurturing, educating, and developing a child’s mind, the more likely they will be successful citizens of the world.
Children with access to quality early learning are more prepared for kindergarten and have increased vocabulary, better language, math, and social skills, positive relationships with classmates, and improved health outcomes.
They score higher on school-readiness assessments. As they go forward in school and life, they are also less likely to need special education services, be held back a grade, and are more likely to graduate and go on to college. These are better outcomes for children that also save taxpayers money. Every $1 invested in early childhood yields a $16 return.
On Sunday, February 19th, Growing Futures is hosting its PB&J Pickleball & Jams fundraising tournament at the Chicken N Pickle in Overland Park. Teams of two can register for $100, and sponsorships range from $100-$5,000.
Check out the Growing Futures website in the comments to learn more, plan a visit, or donate.
Website: growingfutureseec.org