Thank You, Topeka Area Directors Network!

Thank you, Topeka Area Early Childhood Directors Network!

The Kansas Children's Discovery Center received a generous donation Topeka Area Early Childhood Directors Network this week. Topeka Area Early Childhood Directors Network is a group of early childhood professionals who see firsthand the impact of our work to give every child access to quality play experiences.

The group gave the gift in honor of founder Jane Kemp, who died in 2002.  In addition to the Early Childhood Directors Network, Jane was a founder of Head Start in Topeka and of Success by Six. She was executive director of Lakeshore Learning Centers in Topeka and was involved in the direction and operation of day-care centers in Topeka for more than 40 years. Her colleagues remember her as someone who loved having fun with children, and who was passionate about all children having learning opportunities.

The gift will support our Museums for All program, which serves low-income families, helping remove finances as a barrier to play. Any Kansas family that qualifies for state food assistance and is in possession of an EBT or WIC card receives admission for up to four people for $3 each. In 2018, the program served 253 individuals, but we have seen enormous growth this year, likely because we added WIC recipients to the program a few months ago. Already in 2019, we've served 320 individuals, including 159 children.

Thank you, Topeka Area Directors Network, for supporting play access for every child.