Welcome to Joy

The contract is signed and construction will begin shortly on our gorgeous new library just for kids birth through 5th grade! We've been working for months with our architects to create a space where kids will love to learn and have a whole lot of fun doing it. This library will be for every child from across the city, the county, and the region, and our greatest hope is that it will inspire children to discover their interests and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams.

Our location in the heart of a disadvantaged neighborhood comes with challenges. We are bound to see more children with cognitive and/ or physical disabilities. That's why the Kenosha Achievement Center will host Early Head Start, Sprouts Playgroups, and Help Me Grow programs at our new library. These programs are designed to support the children and families struggling with these challenges. 

We are also likely to see more children who have experienced trauma. That's why we're using an LSTA grant to provide Playmaker Project training for all our YFS staff as well as the YFS staff at Community Library. Playmakers support childcare professionals and organizations creating optimal environments to help kids overcome traumas associated with Adverse Childhood Experiences like poverty, violence, and substance abuse. Helping our staff recognize these traumas in our young visitors and design joyous programming that nurtures and heals will be lifechanging for many young children.

How lucky we are to have a chance to help people every day and give them the support to be successful in their lives! Please take a moment and let this sink in. Every one of you contributes to the success of the library, whether you plan programs, fix the air conditioning, or check in returned materials. All of you are important and all of you are valued, not just by me, but by your coworkers and all the people who count on us as a place where they are welcome and free to explore the world of ideas. On behalf of them, I thank you for the tremendous service you provide and for creating a safe and welcoming place for everyone.


Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Barb