By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays Area Children Center celebrated its 60th anniversary with a Chamber in Hays ribbon-cutting on Friday.
The non-profit child care center cares for more than 80 children, from infants through school age.
The center was founded in 1966 by a group of Ellis County families seeking care for children with disabilities.
The center was originally affiliated with what is now the Arc of the Central Plains. However, the Hays Area Children's Center, 94 Lewis Drive, now serves children of all abilities.
It is the longest-running child care facility in Hays.
Becky Rogowski, the center director, said her children, now adults, attended the center as toddlers. One of those children is now on staff.
"For me, it came full circle to come back and be the director here," she said.
Andrew Cutright, president of the Hays Area Children's Center's board, addressed the crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting.
"It has always been about change," he said. "It has always been about serving the community and what the community needs.
"As those things have changed, we have been forced or had the pleasure of changing with them."
He said changes in funding have challenged the center.
"Child care seems really expensive for parents, but it is really expensive to provide," Cutright said. "When funding goes away, you're left with some tough choices."
Those choices can include transferring cost to parents or seeking outside funding, but those funding sources continue to narrow, he said.
"Even though it is great to watch kids, [child care workers] still want to be paid," he said.
The Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Patterson Foundation have both given grants to the center. The center also received federal funds through the CARES Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, the center undertook renovations. This included new floors, painting and lighting.
Cutright said the goal was to make the center more inviting.
"I think it is more representative of kids," he said. "They're bright. They're excited, and we brought in some bright colors and spruced it up."
He said the board is willing to listen to the community to determine its needs and to decide on the center's next project.
"We have a great building, great space and passionate families," Cutright said. "I think we can do a lot of great things."
Cutright's term on the board is almost up. The center is seeking three people to fill vacancies on the board.
"It takes people with a passion to do it because it's hard," he said.
He encouraged anyone with a passion for children and child care to apply for the board, saying, "You can make a difference, but it takes work. It's not something you show up to and talk."
He said someone with a financial background or community connections would be particularly valuable.
If you are interested in a board position, you can apply at haccboard@gmail.com.
The center is also accepting applications for part-time summer jobs. This includes high school students who might want to gain experience in child care, Rogowski said.
The center will participate in the upcoming high school part-time job fair sponsored by the Chamber, which will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 8 at the Hays High School commons.
The center still has openings for its summer school-age program. That includes children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The children will take trips to the pool, the Hays Public Library, mini-golf and the ARC Park.
The center is also enrolling for fall. The center has openings in its preschool classroom and limited space in other classrooms.
Rogowski suggested parents who are interested in enrolling their children tour the facility.
You can learn more by emailing becky@hacc.info. You can also find more on the web at hacc.info, call the center at 785-625-3257 or follow the center on Facebook.