Official Announcement and Unveiling of Digital, Interactive Renderings at event on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 10:30 AM at 1701 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO that will be a significant development in the Crossroads of Kansas City coming in 2025.
Kansas City, Mo. — (September 9, 2024) Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City (BBBSKC) will be embarking on a new, expanded headquarters in the Crossroads with the recent purchase of the historic Taylor building that is located at 1701 Walnut Street in the Crossroads, next door to BBBSKC’s current office space (1709 Walnut Street). Construction on the building, now named the Big Futures building, will likely begin in Spring 2025 following the completion of the fundraising campaign.
The nearly 25,000 square foot space will be remodeled to offer expanded spaces for events, workshops, activities and learning opportunities for “Bigs” and “Littles”, a panoramic rooftop with indoor and outdoor event space and a modern outdoor courtyard concept with an elevated stage and videoboard. The new headquarters is also focusing on accessibility for all by making all areas handicap accessible through the construction of an overhead walkway connecting the two rooftops.
The campaign has had early support by The Sunderland Foundation who has invested a $3 million gift to kick off the campaign and The Mabee Foundation who issued a challenge grant in the amount of $1.8 million. These two cornerstone gifts kicked off the leadership phase of the campaign, BBBSKC will now work with a campaign cabinet to raise the philanthropic support needed to fulfill this challenge. BBBSKC is expecting to enter the public phase in early 2025.
The expansion and investment into the new BBBSKC headquarters will support the growth of the mentoring organization and will accommodate the addition of two new programs. These programs will focus on workforce development for Littles 8th grade and beyond and group mentoring models for kids while they are waiting to be matched with a long-term Big.
“We are so proud of the impact our program has had on the community of Kansas City,” said CEO of BBBSKC Micheal Lawrence. “Introducing another caring, adult role model in a child’s life is proven to provide positive outcomes for those enrolled including better relationships with friends and family, decreased use of drugs and alcohol and improved self esteem. Our high school graduation rate for those enrolled has been at 100% for several years, something we are so proud of. We now have the opportunity to do even more for our families. Our expanded headquarters will center around our future and the futures of our Littles and will focus on new opportunities for connection, collaboration and celebration. It will not only be a beautiful, inviting space but it will also become inspirational and aspirational to those that visit us here, especially our Littles. ”
This project will be a key new development in the expanding and highly desirable Crossroads location of Kansas City, MO, a location BBBSKC has thrived in over the last nine years.
Media is invited to join us on September 11 for a first look at the new renderings and space. BBBSKC CEO Micheal Lawrence will speak on the expansion, new programs and plans for the new headquarters. Architect Jonathan Cole of Pendulum Studio and the Evardy Construction Team will also be speaking about the new modern developments this project will bring to the Crossroads.
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About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City (BBBSKC) works to clear the path to a child’s biggest possible future by matching them with a caring, adult mentor in a one-to-one friendship. “Bigs” help “Littles” ignite, empower and defend their potential by standing with them. Last year, 99% of the Senior Littles graduated high school, 83% reported improved self esteem and 71% reported improved grades since being matched. For more information about BBBSKC, visit www.bbbskc.org.
