Legends Field

Legends Field

Nov 10, 2021

Legends Field

The Kansas City Monarchs
join the Inlcusion Revolution

Grand Opening:

Spring 2022

Location:

Wyandotte County, Kansas

Variety KC Inclusive Play Area at Legends Field – Wyandotte County, KS

Variety is leading a drive for the #inclusionrevolution, making KC the most inclusive city in the nation. We’re making great headway thanks to area-wide support.

One of our upcoming projects is in Wyandotte County, Kansas. This is an area underserved with opportunities for fitness and inclusion, but an area that has been receiving a lot of attention and improvements in recent years.

Legend Field, located in Kansas City, KS, is the home of the Kansas City Monarchs Baseball Club. Variety KC and the Monarchs are partnering to make the fan experience and stadium an inclusive venue. We will accomplish this by adding an inclusive play area, an additional games area, on-site sensory kits, two inclusive bathrooms, communication aids, and dedicated parking.

Because one of four families has a member with some form of disability, we know the impact of offering inclusive services is tremendous. This Variety Play Area is designed for ALL kids, ALL families. It will offer a place for kids to let out steam and energy. The area allows for play, interactions with other kids, and it offers the inclusive services needed for comfort and dignity.

We are currently fundraising for this effort and have opportunities for you to review.

Download the flyer
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Communication Boards

Communication Boards

Oct 26, 2021

Communication Boards

Thank you for being a part of the #InclusionRevolution

Below are links to download and print our Communication and Sign Language boards. To learn more about Variety KC visit our about page or see how we help. Visit the get involved page to see how you can help! #InclusionRevolution

Download the Communication Board
Download the Sign Language Board
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Find Out How to Get Involved

Volunteer for Variety KC, become a sponsor, champion a fundraiser with our support, or make a donation.

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Sporting KC: First Outdoor Power Soccer Field

Sporting KC: First Outdoor Power Soccer Field

Sep 29, 2021

Sporting KC: First Outdoor Power Soccer Field

Inclusive Sporting KC Soccer Complex

Grand Opening:

Spring 2023

Location:

Northland Soccer Complex

Variety KC is getting kids off the bench and into the game!

Recently, the City of KCMO and Sporting KC broke ground on the 76-acre Central Bank Soccer Complex, a multi-sport complex for year-round use. The facility offers something for everyone, it’s the most inclusive sports complex in the nation.

#inclusionrevolution.

Learn more about this project!

Download Sponsorship PDF
Support Projects Like This

Proud Partner

Become a Sponsor

Find Out How to Get Involved

Volunteer for Variety KC, become a sponsor, champion a fundraiser with our support, or make a donation.

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300 Police Cars Receive Variety KC Sensory Kits

300 Police Cars Receive Variety KC Sensory Kits

Sep 3, 2021

300 Police Cars Receive Variety KC Sensory Kits

In 2021, Variety KC and KMCO Councilwoman Heather Hall rolled out the first Variety Sensory Kits to local police departments.

Police are trained to handle multiple challenging situations, but it’s important that they quickly recognize signs of autism spectrum disorder to approach a person with autism or related special needs. This allows officers to avoid escalation and safely stabilize the scene sooner.
The idea came from a Variety KC mother says Executive Director, Deborah Wiebrecht. “When her daughter was assaulted, she had a difficult time when the police arrived with all the bright lights, the loud sounds, and the anxiousness of the situation. Combined with her inability to communicate, the situation soon became overwhelming.”

People with disabilities represent 26% of the community! Children with disabilities are 3-5 times more likely to be abused than their peers. Reporting this abuse and interacting with law enforcement can add to the trauma.

When children grow up, they are more likely to be stopped by law enforcement, and sadly – half the people killed by police have a disability. Having Sensory Kits for police is a nationwide trend- just not in KC, it is recognized as an important need. Councilwoman Hall secured training so that officers know how to use the kits and how to treat kids with special needs in general.

So far, Variety KC has funded kits for use by police in KCMO, Cass, and Jackson Counties, but hope to provide them area wide! You can help achieve this goal by donating today.

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The Variety KC Sensory Kits include:
  • Drawstring Backpack to carry sensory tools
  • Weighted Blanket to calm children
  • Sunglasses to help those triggered by bright lights
  • Noise Canceling Headset: To eliminate excess noise
  • Fidget toys to calm and release anxiety

Children’s Mercy: Hospital lobby

Children’s Mercy: Hospital lobby

Apr 5, 2021

Children’s Mercy: Hospital lobby

It’s Hard to be what you cant see- Variety KC and Children’s Mercy hospital is changing that!

Our Inclusion Revolution is growing! Walking into CMH lobby you are surrounded by color, whimsy and joy.

While visiting a Variety Child on one of the floors I was surprised after leaving the lobby the feeling of Whimsy gave way. The pictures lining the walls were dated and disconnected… random pictures of cows…. florals and the ones with kids that had disabilities- the need was hidden. (Invisible)

I immediately thought of what a positive change and feel the halls of CM would have if people saw real families and kids like theirs grace the halls. Switch the dated images out for our beautiful inclusive photos by international award-winning photographer- Colleen Christi.

Her pictures of various Variety kids of all colors, abilities, sizes celebrating each child’s uniqueness, the joy they have in life and things they love. An expression of true Inclusion. If these pictures were updated then walking the halls of CMH would represent the kids they serve-and they serve the largest minority population we have- people with disabilities. So many Variety kids visit CMH for Doctors’ appointments, therapy, fitting for equipment and often long medical stays. Shouldn’t the walls represent this population of CHM patients- Wouldn’t it be wonderful if families and kids were welcomed by images of kids that looked like them- familiar and champion achievement.

Variety KC helps a Variety of kids with a Variety of special needs with a Variety of equipment and opportunities towards inclusion and those kids need to be seen and celebrated. So the story goes-here is another shining example that sharing your thoughts and dreams with others helps dreams come true. Dr. Ann Modrcin who is a tremendous physician at CMH and also a Variety BOD member loved the idea of updating the old images with bright fresh faces of kids that champion their special needs and differences…That gives kids true Super Powers!!

Dr. Ann shared this dream with the new and AMAZING VP of Inclusion at CMH- Michele Wimmes. And Michelle jumped on the idea to kick off the Joy in the workplace campaign. Thank you to the CMH team and to all who believe in positive change towards inclusion for all. The more we see this largest minority population in our world the more it will become the new normal and people of all abilities will be welcomed and celebrated.

Change is coming!!!!! Stay Tuned!!