Quincy Childrens Museum

TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE CURIOSITY, CONNECTION, CREATIVITY, AND DISCOVERY.

IN 2023, QUINCY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM CONTINUED PROVIDING IN-PERSON OUTREACH EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, WHILE ALSO ADDING A PHYSICAL LOCATION, AND OPENING THREE SATELLITE EXPERIENCES. OUTREACH EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 18 RURAL LIBRARIES ON TOP OF THE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND SCHOOLS THAT WERE VISITED IN PREVIOUS YEARS, TOTALING OVER 20,000 YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERS IMPACTED. SATELLITE EXPERIENCES INCLUDED 12 WEEKS AT THE LOCAL ART CENTER, 12 WEEKS AT THE LOCAL MALL, AND 16 WEEKS ON A FREE NATURE TRAIL; IT IS UNKNOWN EXACTLY HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WERE IMPACTED BY THESE FREE, COMMUNITY BASED EXHIBITS, BUT ESTIMATES ARE UPWARDS OF 5000 VISITORS. A 1000 SQUARE FOOT LOCATION OPENED UP ON 6TH AND MAINE & WAS AN INCUBATOR FOR WHAT THE MUSEUM COULD BE, OPEN 4-5 DAYS/WEEK, OFFERING HANDS-ON, INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, PROGRAMS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, AND FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITIES. AWARENESS EFFORTS CONTINUED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THE QCM WEBSITE, A MAILING LIST, AN EDUCATION SUMMIT, GOLF TOURNAMENT, AND DECEMBER FUNDRAISER.

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READY SET GROW - IN 2023, READY. SET. GROW. SPREAD ITS MESSAGE TO THE TEN- COUNTY REGION THAT WE SERVE. WE CONTINUED TO EQUIP PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO KNOW THE POWER THEY HAVE TO BUILD THEIR CHILDREN'S BRAIN ARCHITECTURE DURING THE FIRST FIVE YEARS BY INTENTIONALLY TALKING, READING, AND PLAYING WITH THEIR CHILDREN DAILY. BI-YEARLY VISITS WERE MADE TO THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO REFRESH THE WIC NURSES ON OUR MESSAGE; THEREFORE, THEY IN TURN, SHARED THE MESSAGE TO APPROXIMATELY 2000 FAMILIES AND PATIENTS. WE ALSO SUPPLIED THEM WITH OVER 2500 BOOKS AND OVER 300 OTHER RESOURCES INCLUDING BIBS, ONESIES, BOOKMARKS AND MAGNETS. THIS MESSAGE WAS ALSO SHARED AT THE BLESSING CHILDBIRTH CLASS EACH MONTH SERVING 100 NEW PARENTS. READY. SET. GROW. MADE A TRANSITION FROM THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION TO THE QUINCY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN AUGUST, 2023, OFFERING THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS. DURING THE FALL, A PARTNERSHIP WAS MADE WITH FIRST STEPS, A PROGRAM THROUGH CORNERSTONE, WHERE WE SUPPLY THE CASEWORKERS WITH 30 BOOKS EACH MONTH FOR THEM TO GIVE TO THEIR CLIENTS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF INTENTIONALITY IN DAILY READING WITH THEIR CHILDREN. IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WE OFFERED READY. SET. GROW. MORNINGS EVERY MONDAY AT THE QUINCY CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SATELLITE LOCATION AT THE QUINCY TOWN CENTER SERVING OVER 75 CHILDREN BIRTH TO 5 YEARS OF AGE. EACH CHILD THAT VISITED THE MUSEUM ON THAT DAY RECEIVED A BOOK TO ENCOURAGE DAILY READING HABITS. THE WEEKLY PROGRAMMING, OUTREACH VISITS, AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO ADDRESS OUR MISSION HEAD ON.