Love is the First Step

A New Community Childcare Center

St. Theodora Guerin once said: “Love the children first, and then teach them.” The monks’ planned partnership with First Steps Childhood Learning Center will put her words into practice.

In 2021, St. Benedict’s Abbey purchased over 160 acres of land on the north side of Atchison at a tax sale.   “There were ideas on what to do with the property, but nothing concrete.  And then God started sending us community partners and opportunities,” said Joshua Harden, Director of Strategic Initiatives for St. Benedict’s Abbey.

Abbey North Property, Civil War Soldiers Orphanage 1868-1965.

The land purchased by St. Benedict’s Abbey was home to the vacant Kansas Juvenile Correctional Facility. “The idea is to renovate the remaining seven buildings into a family-centric complex that provides childcare services, medical services and other social services to the Atchison community,” Harden said. “This is not just a St. Benedict’s Abbey project.  It is truly a community project, and it would not be possible without our incredible community partners and the support of the state of Kansas, the City of Atchison, and Atchison County.”

One of those community partners was First Steps Childhood Learning Center in Atchison, Kansas.   “There is a desperate shortage of childcare services in Kansas, particularly in northeast Kansas,” says Nina Ostertag, co-owner of First Steps. “We are at full capacity in our downtown location, and I have to turn down parents looking for childcare almost every day.” First Steps has been in business for fifteen years and is one of only two licensed childcare businesses in Atchison County, Kansas.

“The Abbey has the land and buildings, First Steps was looking to expand its business, and there is definitely a demand for high-quality affordable childcare services,” said Harden, “But it wouldn’t have happened without the five million CPF grant.” The Capital Project Fund (CPF) is a grant program, administered by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, provides construction funding to build or renovate facilities that reduce barriers to education, health, employment, and childcare services.  On February 2, 2024, St. Benedict’s Abbey was awarded $4,999,999.00 under the CPF grant program.

“We basically went out and developed partnerships with local organizations and businesses that could help us fulfill the requirements of the CPF grant. That is how First Steps with Abbey was born,” said Harden.  First Steps with Abbey (FSA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of the member organizations that will provide the services required under the CPF grant.  “The purpose of FSA is two-fold: Help connect families to the services that they need to be healthy and thrive. And, to coordinate services between member organizations.”  FSA seeks to expand not only access to childcare services, but also medical monitoring services, and education and workforce.  “Each family is different and has different needs.  It is not just childcare.  Our goal is to make it easier and more efficient for families to get the services that they need,” said Ostertag.

The First Steps with Abbey complex is located at 1926 N. 2nd St., Atchison, Kansas and includes seven buildings spread over 3.7 acres. These buildings, constructed between the 1950s and 1970s, have suffered from neglect and vandalism since their closure. “Structurally, the remaining buildings are solid.  But there is a lot of work to be done on HVAC, electric, plumbing, and road infrastructure. Also, childcare facilities have lots of regulations that affect design,” Harden said.

St. Benedict’s Abbey retained the services of Plunkett Raysich Architects to design the renovation of the FSA Complex. “We have our design almost complete, and we are now in the contract document phase.  We expect the project to go out to bid this year and to start construction in the spring of next year,” Harden said.  “Our goal is to have FSA childcare services operational in the newly renovated buildings by the end of 2025.”   

The need for such initiatives in Atchison County is pressing. Atchison County currently faces a significant shortage of childcare facilities, with only two centers available for its 1,141 children under six years old. FSA aims to address this gap by adding over 100 childcare slots in the renovated buildings.  “We are currently sending ten future childcare associates to school with our partners at High Community College Collaborations to staff-up for the new location,” said Ostertag.

Poverty rates in Atchison exceed state averages, highlighting the need for accessible services that promote economic stability and community health. Project First Steps represents a transformative effort to revitalize a neglected property into a flourishing community resource. By co-locating childcare, health services, and workforce training, FSA aims to create a holistic environment that meets the diverse needs of Atchison County families. As the project moves forward, it stands to significantly impact the lives of families in the area, fostering a healthier, more educated, and economically stable community. The collaboration of local organizations under FSA’s leadership is a testament to the power of community in driving positive social change.