COMMUNITY / Cooling Off and Connecting with Our Neighbors at The Children’s Place

Sometimes the best community partnerships are the ones right next door.

Last Friday, a small group of SLATTERY team members, including Amy, Sean, Julia, Brian, and Emily, had the opportunity to spend time with one of our neighbors, The Children’s Place. What began as a chance to volunteer with a local non-profit quickly became a meaningful morning filled with connection, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the impact this organization has on children and families throughout our community.

For those unfamiliar with The Children’s Place, they are a specialized trauma treatment center/non-profit serving children and families across the Kansas City area. Their work focuses on helping young children and their caregivers heal from difficult life experiences through a combination of therapeutic services, family support, and community partnerships. What stands out about The Children’s Place is not only the services they provide, but also their unwavering commitment to creating spaces where children can feel safe, supported, and hopeful. Their vision of “childhood restored,” reflects a commitment to pursuing and celebrating healing for young children who have experienced trauma.

And they’ve been doing that work for more than four decades.

For over 45 years, The Children’s Place has served children and families in our community. The organization was founded during a time when resources for children experiencing abuse, neglect, and other traumatic events were limited. Recognizing the need for specialized support, a group of community leaders, healthcare professionals, social service providers, and law enforcement personnel came together to help create what would become one of Kansas City’s most respected child and family service organizations.

Today, their impact continues to reach families across the region, guided by a mission that remains as powerful as ever:

“Where children and families heal from life’s deepest hurts.”

While learning about their history is inspiring, last Friday gave us the opportunity to experience their mission in action.

During the summer, The Children’s Place hosts weekly Water Days, an event that brings children, staff, volunteers, and community partners together for an afternoon of fun. Water balloons, slip-and-slides, splash pads, sprinklers, and other activities help create an environment filled with energy, laughter, and connection for the staff and children. Several members of our team helped set up these activities, spent time with staff and joined in the festivities with the Children’s Place children. Our friends at Centric were also on hand, serving hot dogs and cheeseburgers helping make the afternoon a success. Throughout the afternoon, it was impossible not to notice the joy on the playground and the sense of community that these events help foster.

While the water activities certainly helped everyone beat the summer heat, what stood out most was the opportunity to connect with such an impactful organization and the community it serves.

Emily captured it perfectly: “Water Days was a joy to be a part of. Seeing the playground in action, filled with laughter, water balloons, and childlike fun, was incredibly rewarding.” She added, “Watching the children open up and become more comfortable with us in just a few hours reminded me how meaningful it can be to connect through play and simply being present with others.” Her reflection speaks to something central to The Children’s Place’s work. Positive relationships, supportive environments, and opportunities for play can all become an important catalyst in helping children build trust, confidence, and connection to each other and to adults.

The experience was equally meaningful for our team. As Amy shares, “It was a much-needed respite after a long work week to enjoy a play day with new little friends in the neighborhood. We love being able to get involved.”

Opportunities like Water Days remind us why community involvement matters. Supporting organizations that are making a difference in Kansas City not only benefits our community, but also strengthens our own sense of purpose and connection. As the lens shifts from global events such as the World cup, we at SLATTERY also find joy in looking close to home and recognizing the incredible work taking place in our own neighborhood.

We’re grateful to The Children’s Place for welcoming us and for the compassion, expertise, and dedication they bring to children and families throughout Kansas City. Their work creates a lasting impact, and we were honored to spend a small part of our Friday alongside them.

And to our friends at Centric, thank you for keeping everyone fed and for being such good sports when the water balloons started flying.

If you’d like to learn more about The Children’s Place and their mission, visit childrensplacekc.org