Larry Lewis

Born in Louisiana, Larry Lewis spent much of his childhood moving across the southern states with his family as they set up new businesses in the food and hospitality industry. Larry was in the 8th grade when his family’s line of work brought them to Overland Park. Eventually, the culture shock wore off, and Larry fell in love with the city and its people.

After a few more years, Larry graduated from Blue Valley Northwest and played football at Hutchinson Community College. He completed his college and football career at Kansas State University under the great Coach Snyder. Snyder was passionate about instilling values in his players, especially about giving back to one’s community.

As a result, he instructed his players to support and volunteer within the community regularly. Larry’s love for the world of Youth Development and the nonprofit industry was born when he stepped into the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manhattan. More than 20 years later, he continues to possess those values instilled in him at a young age.

Larry spent over 14 years working with the Boys & Girls Clubs, first in Manhattan and then in the Greater Kansas City Area. Larry and his family moved to Oklahoma in 2016, where he continued his work with children, their families, and the surrounding community.

In 2021, Larry and his family decided to return home to Johnson County. A few months later, he joined Growing Futures Early Education Center as their Executive Director in January 2022.

Growing Futures Early Education Center is a non-profit organization located in downtown Overland Park that provides quality early education opportunities and family support services for 223 vulnerable children and their families who live in Johnson County, Kansas.

Their Early Head Start and Head Start programs support children ages 0-5, and all enrolled families have access to many comprehensive support services. Services include health and nutrition services, onsite play therapy, parent education, mental health, medical and dental health, family support, and engagement opportunities. In addition, their education program focuses on developing a child’s academic readiness with an emphasis on social and emotional development.
 
Growing Futures’ most significant fundraiser is Harvesting Hope, which will take place on Friday, October 7th, from 4-8 pm in downtown Overland Park. Strang Hall has generously donated their outdoor space for the event. Please join them for local vendors, live music, great food and drinks, and yard games.

I am so excited that Larry decided to move back to KC and that he is pouring his passion for youth development into a great organization like Growing Futures. I know he will impact the organization and every child that comes through its doors.

Visit the Growing Futures website to learn more, donate, or check out their latest events.

Website: growingfutureseec.org