Article written by Aarvav Bharadwaj Manduva, Spring 2025 Marketing Team.
The Spring 2025 Strive to Thrive Lincoln class is proud to award a $5,000 grant to The Children’s Place to support the development of an outdoor classroom and playground. The project aligns closely with the center’s mission to provide high-quality early childhood education and coordinated support for children and families in Lincoln.
A longstanding pillar in the community, The Children’s Place is more than a daycare — it is a center for development, growth, and stability. The staff use structured programming and regular assessments to build foundational academic skills in areas such as numbers, letters, and shapes, helping children prepare for future educational success.
What truly sets The Children’s Place apart is its deep commitment to serving the whole family. During a recent site visit, Strive to Thrive students heard stories of how staff have gone above and beyond to assist families in crisis by offering temporary housing, organizing food and clothing drives, and hosting parent support programs. Some staff members have been with the center for more than 20 years, underscoring the strong sense of continuity and community within the organization.
The center primarily serves low-income families and children with behavioral challenges, providing critical services in a compassionate, inclusive environment. Despite facing challenges such as staffing shortages, the team continues to innovate and provide impactful support.
The new outdoor classroom and play area will give children more opportunities for hands-on, sensory-based learning, physical activity, and social-emotional growth. By transforming backyard space into an engaging learning environment, the project will enrich the overall educational experience for the children.
The grant comes at a pivotal time as the center continues to navigate limited resources. As one student reflected after the visit, “They are doing so much with limited resources, and it’s evident how much they care for their children and families. This grant will go a long way in supporting their mission.”
Strive to Thrive Lincoln is honored to support The Children’s Place as it continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children and their families throughout the community.
To learn more about The Children’s Place, visit childrensplacechildcare.com.