Who We Are
Who We Are
Get Involved
Lil'
Sprouts Tour
Schedule a 1-hour tour of our facility and classrooms to better understand who we are.
Planned
Giving
A planned gift is a contribution that is arranged in the present and allocated at a future date.
Supply
Wish List
Donate supplies or sponsor a drive for much-needed
agency items.
Corporate Fundraising
Explore one of the best ways to engage employees and
give back.
Donate
Dollars
Donate now to help where it's needed most. Help children and families in need, automatically.
Individual
Volunteering
Find a volunteer activity that best fits your preferences and schedule.
Group
Volunteering
We provide fun, easy and engaging experiences for your
group or company.
Sponsorship
Opportunities
Sponsorships can help to deliver increased brand awareness, while supporting us.
We greatly appreciate all of our volunteers! Did you know that each hour volunteered counts as $29.95 toward our non-federal goal? A half day group project can raise a significant amount for our organization!
Growing Futures Early Education Center relies heavily on contributions from individuals and volunteer support. The federal government requires a community match for its grants to our programs. Federal funds have been flat for the last several years, while the cost of living continues to increase. To meet the needs of our existing families and to add others to the program who are currently waiting and in need of our services, we reach out to you. Your partnership and support is so very important. No contribution is too small or too large. We invite you to join us as we work to continue to bridge the gap in meeting the needs of an increasing number of poverty-level families in Johnson County, KS. The charitable donation that you give today, aids in our mission to nurture children and strengthen families to enrich our community.
Donate Dollars
Group Volunteering
Special Projects
Past activities have included planting flowers, vegetables and butterfly gardens; painting; cleaning; cleaning up the playground and weeding; washing windows; or hosting a special children’s activity (splash day, playdough-making, pumpkin patch, etc).
Organization of Resource Room and Toy Closet
The Resource Room and Toy Closet at Growing Futures hold items and general supplies (paint, glue, paper, puzzles), used by all of the classrooms, and house materials the teachers have access to, depending on what their class is learning. These spaces are used by many staff members, so volunteers who organize and maintain these spaces are always appreciated.
Sanitize Toys
Toys get dirty with daily use! You can help in keeping our children well and healthy when you volunteer to clean and sanitize toys with a bleach-water solution, as required by state licensing.
Sponsor or Coordinate a Collection Drive
Would you like to organize a collection drive or donate items to support our program? Companies and civic groups are encouraged to collect or donate high-use items. We update our wish list regularly, but are always in need of diapers and wipes. We can share a more detailed list, should this opportunity be of interest to your group.
Special Events
Assist with the preparation and execution of fundraising events, including events like our Annual Growing Futures Luncheon in April.
Customized Volunteer Opportunities
We offer volunteer opportunities to fit your schedule. Help weekly in a classroom or share your skills and interests with our programs. It's up to you! For more information contact Growing Futures Early Education Center at (913) 649-9714 and ask for Kathy McLellan, Volunteer and Development Associate.
Individual Volunteering
Make a financial contribution and support a variety of early learning opportunities for children and families in your community! All donations will be acknowledged by an email receipt. If you don't see it in your inbox immediately, please check your junk folder.
Classroom Volunteers
Growing Futures is always looking for classroom volunteers to support our teaching staff and children in daily activities and routines. Growing Futures curriculum encourages children to make choices, engage in interactive learning, and talk about what they’re doing. You’ll get to share your time with children as you read stories, work puzzles and support creative thinking and pretend play in a positive and nurturing environment that promotes growth and learning in these critical first-five years. Most classroom volunteers assist one day a week for a few hours in the morning. Background checks required.
Evening Childcare
As an Early Head Start and Head Start program, Growing Futures Early Education Center offers frequent evening education opportunities for parents of enrolled children. Evening programs usually occur on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and some Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00. While parents learn, we provide childcare and could use your help supervising children. A Growing Futures staff member is always present while you share your time with the children. Your role is to read, play and talk with our children, either outside on the playground or in a classroom, helping keep children safe and positively engaged.
Bring Your Own Talent
Do you have a special talent or skill that could translate into volunteer work? Please contact us to learn more about becoming a friend of Growing Futures.
Interpretation & Translation Assistance
Assist English language learners during the application process or parent/teacher conferences. Help with translating notes sent home to parents or assist in the classrooms with non-English speaking children.
Office / Clerical
Assist with mailing, material preparation or general organizational work.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Lil' Sprouts Tours
We offer regular one-hour tours of our center to increase awareness about our program and services in the community. Visitors will learn about the need in our community and have the opportunity visit our classrooms and engage with teaching staff and the children. Guests will also learn about our program and the comprehensive services we offer our children and their families. These tours have been very successful in spreading the word about the need in Johnson County and what programming we offer at Growing Futures!
Since starting tours in 2007, over a thousand people have walked our halls, have witnessed our program in action, and have learned more about the impact our program is making in our local community. Our hope is that those who visit us will share what they’ve learned on the tour with friends and colleagues; one never knows who might be in need our services. To schedule a tour, please call (913) 649-9714 or email jhoffman@growingfutureseec.org. We hope to see you soon!
Planned Giving
Unlike cash donations, planned gifts are typically made from assets in your estate rather than from disposable income, and may come to fruition after your lifetime. Even people of modest means can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children by planning a gift. With your help, we can continue to give children and their families a head start.
Growing Futures is pleased to offer this option to help establish a legacy for future generations. By designating a portion of your estate to help our children and families, you will be joining the Growing Futures Legacy Society. While every member of The Society shares a dedication to our children and families, we recognize that every act of giving is personal and unique. To learn more, call 913-649-9714 to speak with us about your giving opportunities and preferences.
Wish List
Host a collection drive or donate items to support our program!
We are currently in need of:
Classroom Supplies
▪ Elmer’s Glue/Glue Sticks ▪ Sidewalk Chalk
▪ Paper ▪ Scissors ▪ Art Supplies
▪ Musical Instruments ▪ Bubbles
▪ Washable Markers ▪ Modeling Clay
▪ Puppets ▪ Play Sand ▪ Balls
▪ Push Toys ▪ Foam Shapes ▪ Stuffed Animals
▪ New Books, Audio and Print ▪ Board Books
▪ New Dress-Up Clothes ▪ Play Kitchen Items
▪ New Wooden Puzzles
Health Supplies
▪ Diapers ▪ Wipes ▪ Nitrile Gloves ▪ Clorox
▪ Disinfecting Wipes ▪ Hand Sanitizer
▪ Paper Towels ▪ Liquid Hand Soap
▪ Infant Bibs with Sleeves ▪ Non-Medicated Band-Aids
▪ Children’s Toothbrushes
▪ Babyganics Spray Sunscreen & Bug Spray
▪ Infant Feeding Supplies (ask for details)
▪ New Underwear (sizes 3, 4, 5)
▪ Pre-packaged Healthy Snack Items
▪ Liquid Dish Soap ▪ Zip-lock Bags
▪ Kleenex ▪ Bottled Water
Office Supplies
▪ Postage Stamps ▪ Copy Paper
▪ Scotch Tape ▪ Ink Pens ▪ Post-its
▪ 2-Pocket Portfolio Folders ▪ Pencils
Corporate Fundraising
Whether it’s through monetary gifts, in-kind donations, cause-marketing campaigns or volunteering, our corporate partners are a vital part of helping us deliver education and care to children and their families.
We tailor partnerships to meet the goals of each corporate donor while also improving the education, health and well-being of children and their families. Growing Futures extends our sincere gratitude to our corporate partners for their generous support over the past year. Not only have they helped fund our programs and services, they’ve given us the gift of their time, products and expertise.
If you would like to become a Corporate Partner, please submit a Corporate Partner Inquiry Form.
Virtual Diaper Drive
Step 1: Compose an email or social media post to send!
Send a mass email to your friends and family and post on social media channels!
Step 2: Don't forget to include a link to our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/aWXwMPn
Step 3: Tag us on social media!
Tag @growingfutureseec and we'll share the amazing way you're making a difference during this challenging time!
Join the Policy Council or Parent Committee
Policy Council
Head Start programs are unique in that each grantee must establish a community board of directors and a governing body comprised of the parents of enrolled children in all program options. The parent governing body is called Policy Council and is responsible for the direction of the Head Start program, including program design and operation, and long and short-term planning goals and objectives taking into account the organizations annual self-assessment and strategic plans. The Growing Futures Policy Council members are elected by enrolled parents and meet the third Thursday evening of each month. Dinner, childcare and interpreters are provided.
Parent Committee
The Parent Committee is comprised of parents of currently enrolled children. Parent Committee meetings are held the first Thursday evening of the month and are a great opportunity to meet other families as well as engage in a learning or fun activities with you child.
Thank you for your support!
