‘It’s truly gratifying’: Early education scholarships hope to begin closing the gap

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - An early childhood education scholarship is ensuring that 10 families will get the care they need with the help of Brittany and Patrick Mahomes.

It’s a collaboration between the Systems of Care Initiative, the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and Open Minds Child Development Center. The families will receive $1,600 a month to attend Open Minds, a 10-hour-a-day, year-round program.

The average low-income family in Jackson County is spending about 38% of their income on childcare. This can create situations where they rely on neighbors to watch kids, or even have to choose between bills and food.

These scholarships hope to change that.

“It’s so heartwarming and it’s truly gratifying to see these beautiful young faces and know their parents don’t have the stress of wondering what’s going on during the day while they’re trying to earn a living,” Jeanette Prenger said.

ALSO READ: Olathe high school students protest immigration sweeps, demand action from leaders

Prenger is a SOCI board member and part of the 15 and the Mahomies Advisory Committee. She said this ensures parents can work without absenteeism.

“Having this initiative not only helps the workforce, but their families and the parents to elevate themselves with their most precious commodity our children in mind,” she said.

Co-owner of Open Minds, Abdul Yahaya, said he believes people start and end life in the same way, so he wants to make sure kids starting as young as just months old have the best start possible. Now, he says more will have that opportunity.

“We are excited here at Open Minds because we mind the gap and what that gap is the ability to afford high-quality childhood education. Partnering with SOCI as well as The 15 and The Mahomies Foundation allows all of our families in our community to have what I call the pursuit of happiness. In pursuit of the American dream, education is one of those pieces that will allow you to elevate yourself socioeconomically as well as anything that you inspire to be,” Yahaya said.

SOCI gave away 80 scholarships in 2024 and hopes to give away up to 100 this year.

ALSO READ: Gov. Kehoe endorses Senate bill to ban use of cell phones in Missouri classrooms

Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.