Submitted by Hands On Children’s Museum
More than 32,000 children and their families have benefited from expanded access to the award-winning early learning programs at Olympia’s Hands On Children’s Museum thanks to a major, five-year $1.1M investment by WSECU.
The Inspired Learning for All Initiative, launched in February of 2017, has far exceeded visitation expectations in its first two years. The Initiative offers free admission any day of the year to the first two members of any family receiving state basic food assistance through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. Additional family guests pay just $2 each, a discount of $12.95 from normal museum admission. The EBT access program is the centerpiece of the partnership between the credit union and the museum.
“The Inspired Learning for All Initiative is helping the museum open its doors to many deserving families, which is a great reason to celebrate.” said WSECU Board Chair Doug Mah.
In its first year, about 12,500 guests experienced the museum using the EBT card access program, while the program grew to reach more than 20,000 low-income guests last year. Those benefiting came from all around western Washington.
“We are so appreciative that WSECU stepped up in such a meaningful way,” said Museum Board President Tim Madeley. “The museum is firmly committed to removing barriers and making interactive learning available to all and we appreciate community-minded organizations like WSECU supporting our efforts.”
The partnership between WSECU and Hands On Children’s Museum has other features to enhance its programming. In addition to the special EBT cardholder admission, the credit union’s investment is helping the museum expand mobile education programs to rural communities and Title I schools.
“To be associated with a premier institution like the museum has value in itself; but the primary reason WSECU invested in Inspired Learning for All was to support early learning for the families that may have the most to gain from visiting,” Mah added. Research repeatedly shows experiential early childhood education, which often may look like play, is essential to a strong foundation for later academic success.
Patty Belmonte, the Museum’s executive director, noted that the Inspired Learning for All Initiative has been transformational for the Museum and made it possible for it to receive the prestigious national designation as a Museum for All in 2018. The Museum for All designation is presented by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to recognize museums that encourage families of all backgrounds to visit regularly and build lifelong learning habits.
In addition to its WSECU-supported efforts, Hands On leverages other community and corporate support to cover free and reduced-fee admission nights, parenting classes, and field trips. The museum also hosts families from diverse backgrounds including grandparents raising grandchildren, foster families, families of children with special needs, and Gold Star families who’ve lost a parent in active duty.
One mother from rural Lewis County expressed her appreciation for the museum’s access programs stating, “Getting out from a small town can be quite the adventure. Your low-income program really helps make exploring possible. We look forward, every time, to trying out new activities…this place is magical! Thanking everyone for all the amazing ways to learn.”
