Center City Academy

04/10/2026

When you support Center City Academy, you’re not just giving to a building.

You’re investing in:
• Working families who need reliable, high-quality care
• Children building confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning
• A workforce that can show up and thrive
• Early educators who shape young minds every day
• School readiness and long-term academic success
• Stronger neighborhoods and a more connected community
• A brighter future for Wichita’s next generation

This is impact that lasts far beyond the classroom.

If you believe in this kind of investment, we invite you to be part of it.
Support Center City Academy and help us build something that will serve families for years to come.

04/08/2026

Did you know?

The first five years of a child’s life are the most critical for brain development.

Access to high-quality early education during this time can shape everything from school readiness to lifelong health and wellness.

At Center City Academy, we’re working to make that access possible for more families in Wichita.

04/03/2026

If you celebrate, we wish you a meaningful Good Friday.

At Center City Academy, today is a gentle reminder that growth often happens quietly—over time, with care and intention.

In early childhood, the smallest moments matter most. Each day, children are building confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for what’s ahead.

Thank you for being part of a community that believes in nurturing that growth—every single day.

04/01/2026

With rain in the forecast this week, it’s a reminder of how quickly Kansas weather can change.

At Center City Academy, we’re working to build something steady for families—a safe, reliable place for children to learn and grow.

If you’re reading this, we know you care deeply about early childhood education—please consider making a gift to help bring this vision to life.

03/25/2026

Today we’re reminded that progress doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be consistent.

Every day, small steps in the classroom, at home, and in the community add up to meaningful change for our children and families.

What’s one small win you’ve seen in your community this week?

03/20/2026

Congratulations to our Board Members, Lauri Stuber and Jennifer Horchem, for being nominated for the 2026 Women in Business awards! We are proud to have these exceptional leaders on our team.

Be on the lookout for the Wichita Business Journal June 5 edition for more information about the nominees and awards ceremony.

03/18/2026

We’re grateful to have dedicated community leaders serving on our Campaign Cabinet, including Sheila Brown-Kinnard. Recently featured on KSN Channel 3, she shared how her mother’s legacy of service continues to inspire her work in the Wichita community.

Sheila Brown-Kinnard, the daughter of Jo Brown, speaks about the impact her mom's service had on the Wichita community.

03/10/2026

Proud to have our Director serve alongside this fantastic group of community leaders!

🌟 Meet the leaders behind AFP Kansas Heartland 🌟

Our chapter is guided by an incredible group of volunteers who give their time, expertise, and passion to strengthen philanthropy across the Kansas Heartland. We’re proud to introduce the leaders serving on our 2026Board of Directors:

• Laura Roddy – Exploration Place
• Trent Jones – First Tee Greater Wichita
• Lynette Murphy, CFRE – WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement
• Jennifer Green-Miracle – Butler County Community College Foundation
• Jennifer Clark – American Heart Association
• Ben Parker Sutter – Mennonite Central Committee
• Cailyn Trevaskiss – Great Plains Nature Center
• Angela Fullen – Emporia State University Foundation
• Tammy Weinman – Kinetic
• Nancy Duling – Gracemed Health Clinic
• Beth Schafers – Family Promise of Greater Wichita
• Joan Moore – Mark Arts
• Shelby Boso – ICT S.O.S.
• Angela Perez – Center City Academy
• Tyler Curtis – Kansas Area United Methodist Foundation
• Chris Flippo – Catholic Charities of Wichita
• Donna Gower – Kansas Health Science University
• Ellen Mosley – Botanica

We are grateful not only for these leaders but also for the organizations that support their service to our chapter and the broader fundraising community.

Learn more about each board member and their role in our chapter here:
www.afpkansasheartland.com/meet-the-board

03/05/2026

Words matter — especially in the early years.

On National Grammar Day, we’re celebrating the building blocks of communication.

Before children ever write a sentence, they’re learning grammar through conversation, storytelling, songs, and play. Strong language skills in early childhood lay the foundation for confident readers, writers, and leaders.

Big futures start with little words!

02/26/2026

Today is Inconvenience Yourself Day!

What if we taught our littlest learners that kindness sometimes means pausing what we’re doing to help someone else?

Holding a door.
Sharing a toy.
Helping a friend clean up.
Checking in on someone who looks sad.

Empathy isn’t just a skill — it’s a foundation for strong communities.

At Center City Academy, we believe nurturing compassionate hearts is just as important as nurturing curious minds.

02/21/2026

The Olympics remind us that the world is beautifully diverse.

Early childhood is where that understanding begins — through curiosity, play, and meaningful conversations about people and places beyond our own.

We can’t wait to create a learning environment where little ones grow into compassionate, globally-minded learners.

02/18/2026

We were grateful to attend this year’s Chamber of Commerce Chair’s Lunch and be part of such a meaningful and inspiring afternoon.

Hearing from Chamber Chair Gabe Schlickau, along with the Berry and Mason families, was a powerful reminder of the lasting impact strong leadership, local ownership, and community investment have on Wichita’s future. We’re thankful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about where we’re headed together.