Growing with Futures: Finding his place in preschool

Growing with Futures: Finding his place in preschool

by | Oct 28, 2026 | Early Childhood News, News

When Dawson holds the classroom door, he takes his job seriously. Assigned the “door holder” job for the week, Dawson strains to hold the door open as his classmates file out to the playground. Then, with staff help, he leans forward to peer back into the classroom to make sure all his classmates are out before letting it close. For this preschooler, being the door holder is an important responsibility.

Now in Futures’ 3-year-old classroom, Dawson is building on skills his family began practicing last year in Early Head Start (EHS).

His mom, Lynda, and their EHS home visitor, Shirley, worked together on goals like taking turns, sharing, and counting as part of a 0-3 curriculum. Dawson’s mom found opportunities in everyday routines to reinforce these lessons, like counting objects and fingers throughout the day. They also practiced calming breaths and phrases such as “stop, I don’t like that” to help him use his voice to show when something bothered him.

Those skills have carried over and are reinforced in preschool. Dawson follows classroom routines, helps carry food and knows the classroom commitments, including walking feet, helping hands and listening ears. When something upset him during his first few weeks, he sometimes withdrew. His teacher sees less of that as he settles in.

He is also making strides with his interactions with classmates. His favorite learning activity, puzzles, has become a helpful bridge. Noticing his knack for puzzles, his classmates sometimes ask him for help with theirs, giving him the chance to practice his social skills one-on-one.  

Books, songs, and the sandbox hold his interest, too. He answers questions during stories and puts new words like excavator to use while exploring his love of construction vehicles.

His mom feels he is doing well and loving school, especially his classroom jobs. His teacher sees a calm, kind student who willingly participates in classroom activities.

Dawson’s story shows how a parent’s efforts to prepare a child for preschool, coupled with the extra help EHS provides, can go a long way. Being a good counter, waiting for a turn, and taking calming breaths may seem like small steps. Together, they help a child adapt to new experiences, like preschool, and keep the door open for others.

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Futures Unlimited, Inc. is Sumner County’s premier early childhood program offering preschool, Early Head Start, Head Start preschool, special education and Pre-K services for children ages prenatal to 5. Research-based curriculum ties all program activities to cognitive outcomes. Full-day and half-day preschool options are available. School readiness checkpoints ensure children are progressing toward their next educational step. Programs involve and benefit the whole family. Futures helps families thrive! To find out more call 316.369.0256, email apply@futures-unlimited.org or visit www.futures-unlimited.org.

 

A job stitched in paradise: bold, beautiful fabrics are Stacy’s happy place

A job stitched in paradise: bold, beautiful fabrics are Stacy’s happy place

by | Oct 21, 2026 | News

Good happens here — and in our community!

We’re excited to celebrate Stacy this month during National Disability Employment Awareness Month and the great work she’s doing at Beehive Quilt Shop! We love seeing her do work she genuinely enjoys, working with bright, colorful fabrics.

Her supervisor, Desiree Defore, shared how much they enjoy having Stacy as an employee. “We see such a spark in Stacy because she recognizes the importance of the work she does and how her efforts to fold fat quarters are displayed throughout our store and are also used in custom bundles for customers.” Desiree also shared how much Stacy has grown since beginning her employment nearly a year ago. “Everything I have her do, she picks up and helps and has learned so much since we’ve first started.”

A special thank-you to Beehive Quilt Shop for recognizing Stacy’s abilities and giving her the opportunity to be part of their team, and to Sunflower Employment Services for helping connect Stacy with a job that’s such a great fit.

Successful employment happens when a person’s strengths and interests meet the right opportunity — and community partners help make that connection possible.

Photo credit goes to Sunflower Employment Services. 

Growing with Futures: a strong start with Early Head Start

Growing with Futures: a strong start with Early Head Start

by | Sep 24, 2026 | Early Childhood News, News, Uncategorized

When preschool mom, Lynda, was planning to send her sixth child through Futures preschool, she did something first that she had not done with her other five children.

Before her youngest child, Dawson, was old enough for preschool, she enrolled him in Futures’ Early Head Start program, which serves prenatal moms and infants and toddlers to age 3.

“I just wanted to stay on top of everything,” Lynda said of her reason for enrolling in Early Head Start, which brings a home visitor into the home weekly for an hour and a half of developmental play time and goal setting. “I didn’t notice any, but if he had delays, I wanted them to be caught early and addressed sooner rather than later.”

Surprisingly, making time each week for this 90-minute visit was not a scheduling challenge, despite Lynda being a busy, single, working mom with six children. “The entire family looked forward to the visits and seeing how excited Dawson was to have Miss Deana and later Miss Shirley come with their “bag full of things” made me realize what a good thing this was,” said Lynda.

Lynda says Dawson has loved his Early Head Start visits and that she feels she should have enrolled sooner. He’s learned a lot of his colors and shapes and worked on taking turns and sharing to get him ready for preschool. “I feel like he opened up more with someone coming once a week,” says Lynda. “He had things he was excited to tell her, like what he had eaten and she would reinforce his healthy eating choices.” Lynda also admitted it was nice having another adult to talk to.

The Early Head Start program helped Dawson not only get ready for preschool but to look forward to it. “And, I was more at ease myself taking him,” says Lynda. “I didn’t have as many concerns about leaving him at preschool. I feel more confident as a mom.”

This is just the beginning! Follow along in our future posts as Dawson grows from Early Head Start to preschool!

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Futures Unlimited, Inc. is Sumner County’s premier early childhood program offering preschool, Early Head Start, Head Start preschool, special education and Pre-K services for children ages prenatal to 5. Research-based curriculum ties all program activities to cognitive outcomes. Full-day and half-day preschool options are available. School readiness checkpoints ensure children are progressing toward their next educational step. Programs involve and benefit the whole family. Futures helps families thrive! To find out more call 316.369.0256, email apply@futures-unlimited.org or visit www.futures-unlimited.org.

 

Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week

Direct Support Professional Appreciation Week

by | Sep 21, 2026 | News

DSP Recognition Week at Futures was a week of the celebration lunches, t-shirts, gift bags, games, and notes of gratitude which only scratches the surface of our thanks for this group of employees at Futures Unlimited, Inc.

Our appreciation for direct support professionals at Futures Unlimited continues long after this nationally designated week concludes.

DSPs are the backbone, the catalyst, the reason why GOOD HAPPENS in our adult programs and they have our deep respect and gratitude.

If you’ve not been encouraged to be silly and HAVE FUN at your job or have never had a lasagna party thrown in your honor – you might consider joining us in our mission at Futures Unlimited, Inc. 😄

Ollie’s journey from shy to social butterfly

Ollie’s journey from shy to social butterfly

by | Jun 11, 2026 | Early Childhood News, News

When three-year-old Ollie enrolled in Head Start, it wasn’t because his mom, Kirstan, was worried about academics. At just three years old, he was already well ahead for his age. “What he really needed was to work on his social skills.” Says his mom, Kirstan Fisher, who is also employed in the preschool program at Futures. “I knew preschool would be the perfect place to learn how to interact with others and get into the groove of school and kindergarten.”

For the first two years of his life, Ollie had mostly been at home. He was playful with his siblings, but with other children he preferred playing independently or playing beside them rather than with them. Kirstan hoped preschool would help him learn how to share, communicate his needs, and develop social skills before kindergarten.

It did exactly that.

“He’s become a social butterfly,” Kirstan said. “He has learned how to play with friends, not just alongside them.”

Today, Ollie enjoys spending time with classmates, participates in activities with others, and has grown more comfortable communicating and engaging in group settings. For Kirstan, watching that transformation has been especially rewarding.

As a parent, she encourages families not to assume they won’t qualify for Head Start.

“I’ve had a lot of families say they don’t think they’ll be eligible,” she said. “I always tell them to reach out and ask. Even if a child doesn’t qualify, Futures can connect families with other resources. People don’t always realize everything that’s available.”

Kirstan enrolled Ollie after seeing the impact the program had on her older children. Although her family exceeds the income guidelines, Ollie met other qualifications and was able to attend half-day preschool.

“It’s not just for children with special needs,” Kirstan said. “It’s for all children. I try to encourage people to give it a chance because people don’t realize all that Futures offers.”

Stories like Ollie’s have shaped our first 50 years — and inspires our next 50. Learn more or donate today at www.futures-unlimited.org.

A memorable celebration for Futures’ 50th anniversary

A memorable celebration for Futures’ 50th anniversary

by | May 26, 2026 | News

The 50th Anniversary Celebration, Ribbon Tying and Open House on May 26th was truly special — a memorable milestone for Futures on Tuesday. We were thrilled to see such a wonderful turnout of community supporters, including local leaders, longtime partners, families, friends, and others who have supported Futures through the years.

To commemorate the organization’s 50th anniversary, Futures president/CEO Christa delivered heartfelt remarks reflecting on the agency’s history, growth, and impact over the past five decades. As she shared highlights from each decade, members of the management team lit five commemorative sparklers symbolizing the organization’s journey, growth, adaptations and progress through the years.

Audience members were then presented with ceremonial slices of cake representing the many individuals and groups who have shaped the organization’s success.

Duane Williams received the first slice on behalf of the very first individuals who received disability support services when Futures opened its doors on May 24, 1976. The moment was especially touching, bringing Duane to tears.

Next, April Dugan accepted a slice representing the thousands of individuals who have relied on Futures for transportation services over the years.

To honor the impact of target case management, Jimmy Herrington received a slice on behalf of the many people who have benefited from those supports throughout the agency’s history.

A slice was then presented to Hollie May and her two boys, representing the many families who have trusted Futures with early childhood services designed to help children thrive.

Employees were also recognized during the ceremony with a slice presented to current direct support professional Jennifer Doerge, honoring the countless staff members whose time, expertise, compassion, and dedication have strengthened every program and service throughout the past five decades.

As part of a founder’s tribute, current board member Phil White presented a slice to original board member Jerry Pooler, recognizing the determination and vision of those who worked tirelessly to establish the organization in its earliest years.

Finally, Jeanne Brown and Shelia Schroeder with Sumner Mental Health Center accepted slices representing the invaluable role community partners have played in the agency’s continued success.

Christa concluded the ceremony by sharing, “Together, these individuals represent the relationships, trust, dedication, and community that have defined our first 50 years — and will guide our future as we continue to change and grow for years to come.”

Attendees then gathered for a ribbon tying symbolizing the many ties Futures has built throughout the community during the past 50 years. Susan Doherty then captured a truly special group photo that included nearly every person who attended the reception. Guests were invited to enjoy cake and take tours of the grounds following the ceremony. It was truly a remarkable day. Thank you to each person who joined us for our 50th anniversary celebration.