Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Joe’s Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children’s achievement center providing physical, occupational, speech, and dyslexia therapies for children with special needs, announced the award of two grants from the AWS Foundation.
These investments will support critical accessibility improvements to the organization’s facility and strengthen the clinic’s long-term operational stability as demand for services continues to grow, according to a provided news release.
Over the past year, Joe’s Kids has served over 700 children from Kosciusko County and 12 surrounding counties. In January 2024, the organization moved into a new facility to better meet the needs of children and families, completing phase 1 and 2 of a multi-stage capital campaign. These phases included the renovation of 12,000 square feet of interior space, exterior upgrades and installation of an accessible playground.
Grant 1: Facility Accessibility Enhancements
As part of its continued campus development, Joe’s Kids has already launched Phase 3, which focuses on critical site renovations. This phase includes essential upgrades to the parking lot and site drainage, construction of a new drop-off canopy at the main entrance, and improvements to the kitchen and gymnasium.
The AWS Foundation awarded $97,300 to support key accessibility features including:
• Five additional ADA automatic push-to-open door buttons throughout the facility.
• Two automatic sliding glass doors at the main entrance.
These improvements will significantly enhance safety, independence, and accessibility for children and families.
Grant 2: Strengthening Operations and Expanding Therapeutic Services
Demand for pediatric therapies continues to exceed capacity across the region. In response to this growing need, Joe’s Kids expanded its team with one full-time occupational therapist and three full-time speech therapists — progress that is already helping to reduce wait times for families, the release states.
Looking ahead, Joe’s Kids aims to build a comprehensive child achievement campus where the whole needs of the child are supported, and families find community, connection and hope.
AWS Foundation’s $90,000 renewal grant ($45,000 per year for two years) will support continued strategic growth. The funding will strengthen general operations and enable Joe’s Kids to expand capacity, reduce wait times for care and deepen the services available to children and families.
“We are deeply grateful for the AWS Foundation’s continued belief in our mission,” said Rebecca Bazzoni, executive director of Joe’s Kids. “Their generosity supports both the immediate accessibility needs of our facility and the long-term vision for a campus where every child can thrive. These grants directly impact families in our community and help ensure that children receive timely, life-changing care.”
Joe’s Kids remains committed to equipping children with diverse abilities to realize their full potential through care, community and connection, the release states.
For more information about Joe’s Kids or to support its mission, visit joes-kids.org.
