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Johnston Early Learning Center

Posted on February 27, 2025 - 7:21 pm by admin

With a mission of providing high-quality, affordable care and education programs based on the needs of our community, the Johnston Early Learning Center (JEC) gives working parents access to the assistance they need, regardless of income. Through childcare services and educational programming for children ranging from 6 weeks of age up to kindergarten readiness, the JEC is ensuring every family has the opportunity to give their children the support they need during the working day.

Boone County Community Trust has dedicated over $120,000 to the lives of Columbia’s children and families. These donations have allowed JEC to replace roofs, create new playgrounds, update the HVAC systems, and purchase musical and science equipment. This help raised the quality of our school buildings to an optimal, successful learning environment. The investment into the educational potential of the children is an investment that will be realized across the coming generations of Columbia’s population.

Please visit the Johnston Early Learning Center to learn more about how this organization is making a difference in Boone County.

Columbia’s Agriculture Park

Posted on February 27, 2025 - 7:19 pm by admin

Columbia’s Agriculture Park is a public-private partnership between the City of Columbia Parks & Recreation Department, Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, Columbia Farmers Market and Sustainable Farms & Communities, known as the Friends of the Farm. This group, with the financial support of over 650 donors, have converted 10 acres of vacant park space into a one-of a-kind, agriculturally themed public park. Park features include a year-round covered farmers market pavilion, 3 acres of urban farm production, demonstration gardens that supply hunger relief outlets in Columbia, multiple outdoor classroom areas and native plant areas to encourage biodiversity on site. Future development plans include a 10,000 square-foot multipurpose building with a flexible event/programming space, teaching kitchen and resources center. The early support Boone County Community Trust gave to this campaign helped give the project the traction and momentum needed to reach the initial capital campaign goal of $4.5 million.

Please visit Columbia’s Agriculture Park to discover how this partnership is impacting the residents of Boone County.

“We Always Swing” Jazz Series

Posted on February 19, 2025 - 4:02 pm by admin 1

A woman singing into a microphone with a man behind her playing an instrument.

Founded in 1995 as a community-based concert producing and educational organization, “We Always Swing”^® Jazz Series’ activities center on presenting, promoting, preserving and celebrating the global art form known as “Jazz.” The Jazz Series has earned a national reputation as one of the finer jazz-centric organizations in the United States. It has brought over 1,500 of the world’s premier musicians to mid-Missouri, reached countless local K-12 students through their educational programs, organized public activities, forums, film screenings and performances. The Jazz Series is a leader in shaping Boone County’s cultural landscape.

The Trust helped the Jazz Series with a $15,000 grant to move their headquarters to a prominent location at 21 N. Tenth Street in the heart of Columbia’s Downtown District. The move provided the Jazz Series with a visible, approachable presence, room for operations, space for the Von Freeman Memorial Lending Library, a 9,000 LP/CD collection of recordings and literature open daily to the public, and the ability to thrive and prosper. To learn more about the Jazz Series and its programs and ongoing activities, please visit www.WeAlwaysSwing.org.