A Message From Our CEO

It is with gratitude and joy that we are able to share the 2021 achievements of Kids Unlimited.  The closing of one year brings the ringing in of another and with that transition comes new hopes, goals, and optimism.  In 2020 we accepted the interruption of life and learned compromise and perseverance.   In 2021 we learned patience, and through our ability to overcome challenges, we embraced perseverance.

This past year, it was more than obvious that the realities of isolation along with the day to day impact of poverty compounded the challenges of reintegrating our children to in person schooling.  It was clear that for Kids Unlimited kids, the achievement gap had widened disproportionately.  Returning to what was once normal has been hard on all of us, but imagine, for just a second, how difficult it is for a child who doesn’t have the ability to overcome adversities without the help of others.  At KU we know help doesn’t always come from home.  Kids Unlimited offers that help; and along with help comes hope.  Kids Unlimited offers hope to thousands of our region’s most vulnerable children.  For far too many of our kids, it may be the only place where they are loved and supported and know that they matter.

Despite the struggles arising from the pandemic, the programs of this past year reflect Kids Unlimited’s courage to embrace change.  Within this annual report, you will see evidence of how we not only adapted to change but at the same time, steadfastly held true to our mission.  It is our organization’s willingness and courage to do whatever it takes that makes us unique.  I am truly proud of the courage our children, families, staff, and board demonstrated during this challenging year. 

As we approach the 25th anniversary of the opening of our first after school program in 1998, we are reminded that meaningful and transformational change takes time.  Founded on the belief that all kids deserve opportunities, Kids Unlimited has spent well over two decades growing programs that have impacted the lives of thousands of children.  It has been gratifying to witness our kids as they not only benefit from opportunities, but through their own hard work and dedication, improve their community.  It is an honor to have shared Kids Unlimited’s journey from its inception and I am inspired to know that we no longer have to prove what is possible.
We know the “Unlimited” is.

Tom Cole
President & CEO

Kimmel Family Resource Center

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Main Medford Campus

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As we continue to grow, so has our KU Academy education models.  With campuses in Medford and White City, our public charter schools have provided over 500 students with a robust model for learning.  At KUA we provide not only a standard based education with ongoing teacher and aide training, but we also provide a 10 hour day of learning beginning at 7:30 a.m. and running until 5:30 p.m.  A high quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner is also cooked from scratch daily.  Students benefit from our year round school model, extended school day, and free after school enrichment.  As our mission statement promises, we are dedicated to ensuring our children are provided more instructional time, enriching programs, and a high expectations, no excuse environment to ensure that high school graduation, college success, and career readiness are reasonable goals for all students regardless of race, gender, economic status, or zip code.

2021 brought many new and unique challenges!  KUA started 2021 where 2020 left off with just over 300 students attending from PreK-8th grade benefiting from emergency childcare.  Students who would otherwise struggle at home with virtual learning benefited from the help of instructional assistants to complete their online work.  They also enjoyed in person benefits of healthy meals, PE, peer interaction, mental health supports, and access to limited in person instruction from teachers.  In late February 2021, we began the transition to return to campus classes for in person learning.   

After returning to in person learning we immediately recognized the significant gap in not only academic performances but also the socio-emotional challenges that were compounded by nearly a year of isolation.  Our board, staff, and families unanimously agreed to respond in the most responsible means we could and that was the adoption of an all year school model.

In August, we launched our first year long school calendar which added nearly three additional weeks of instructional time for students – based on feedback from our families and staff.  This extra learning time is essential to bridging the unfinished learning gaps and is combined with our VIBES behavior team which provides early and sustained interventions for supporting behavior and socio emotional needs of our students.

In December, our full time Garden Educator and Coordinator began working at KU.  This role will support classrooms with garden/nutrition instruction during the school day and during our camps.  The Garden Educator will work with PreK-8th grade students in Medford and White City.

We all know, time matters.  We also know that building a solid foundation to learning is critical to future successes.  In 2021, PreK Kids Unlimited was able to open our first full year of operations.  With pre-schools at both our KU Academies in Medford and White city, our early learning program is designed to meet the need of some of our community’s most vulnerable learners.  In 2021, Pre-K Unlimited served 91 early learners.  Our pre-school programs are designed to be culturally competent and dedicated to a diverse and enriching learning environment removing cultural and economic barriers that often prevent access.  Our pre-school programs are also connected to our holistic system of  family wrap around resources and services dedicated to the engagement of the entire family including siblings who are also enrolled in our KU Academy public charter schools.  Pre-K Unlimited offers a wide array of activities dedicated to exposing our three and four year old students to education, motor skill development, art, music, healthy nutrition, and a variety of stimulating play activities.

This year Pre-K Unlimited also celebrated its first ever award as “Southern Oregon’s Best of the Best Preschool and Childcare” by the Mail Tribune of Southern Oregon.

Since our beginning, Kids Unlimited has always provided youth in our program with warm clothing and school uniforms. While the numbers of children and familes we are serving continue to rise, so does the need for clothing. We believed we could be more impactful if we were able to do our own printing.  This year one of our most successful programs has been the launching of Empowerprint Unlimited grown from our commitment to ensuring clothing is not a barrier for our students.  Since opening in 2021, Empowerprint Unlimited has printed and distributed over 25,000 garments to those in need while teaching and providing work experiences for our middle and high school students. Empowerprint not only increases our capacity but it also provides an entrepreneurial endeavor for our kids to learn design and gain employment skills while learning to run their own business.

Watching kids return to the gyms and fields was one of the highlights of 2021. After months of isolation, resuming fitness and play was imperative. We celebrated championships, scholarships and the expansion of sports.  In 2021 KU Academy began our first ever volleyball program and boys basketball program.

Research suggests that sadly, 77% of kids who live in households impacted by severe poverty do not play sports.  With over 80% of our children representing families living below the poverty line, we are committed to ensuring that all kids can access sports. This year Kids Unlimited’s sports programs made a historical impact.

Kids Unlimited helped celebrate the success of the South Medford Lady Panther girls basketball team’s undefeated state championship season.  In one of the most bizarre years in sports, girls who grew up playing for well over 10 years at Kids Unlimited watched their dreams come true.  In addition to an undefeated championship season, six of our young ladies earned basketball scholarships.  Over the years, Kids Unlimited’s Olsrud court has been a place kids can play, train, and compete. This year recognized the 26th female student athlete to receive a college basketball scholarship.