Head Start event focuses on families

More than 250 residents, families and businesses helped MARC celebrate the 60th anniversary of national Head Start with a Family Fun Resource Fair on May 9.

“We’re excited to celebrate 60 years of national Head Start,” said Kasey Lawson, MARC Head Start program director. “The Family Fun Resource Fair was a great way to provide helpful resources that support area families. And, we had a lot of fun!”

Sixty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson signed the law creating Head Start. From that time, Head Start has been the most successful, longest-running national school readiness program in the United States. Since 2005, MARC has been the lead grantee for the Head Start program in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties in Missouri.

“We provide federally funded, comprehensive early learning services to qualifying families in these areas,” Lawson said. “Head Start matters in our community. The success of our Head Start children and families is everyone’s success.”
MARC Head Start sites currently serve more than 2,300 children and employ 500 staff.

The MARC Head Start Family Fun Resource Fair featured food, giveaways, music and educational opportunities for kids and adults.

The event was sponsored by Booster, Swope Health KidsCare, Hawaiian Brothers of NKC, United Health Care Community and State, Constructive Playthings, Lakeshore Learning Materials, MU Human Development and Family Science, The Recreation Academy, Total Man and the Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College.