KEC Focuses on Sustainable Growth; New Executive Director

The Kearney Enrichment Council is focused on sustainable growth in 2024. As part of this growth, they are excited to announce that Spark Academy will open in June. This beautiful 3700 square foot downtown building has been renovated to ensure the academy will have room to grow. The Enrichment Council will be expanding their youth programming to include after-school and summer camps. To sign up, parents can visit KearneyEnrichment.org/youthprogramming.

To ensure sustainability in 2024, the Enrichment Council is dedicated to refining and improving existing programs and processes. KEC’s initiatives include the Senior Center, events and activities that revitalize downtown, and emergency services, including Shop with a Cop and the Kearney Family Foundation. 

The Enrichment Council will transition to a new executive director in April 2024. The existing director, Kurt Hamilton, has accepted a new position with the Fulfillment House as their executive director. Hamilton will lead the effort to secure the next leader for KEC before his April departure. The board and staff sincerely wish him well and thank him for his years of dedicated service to the City of Kearney and the Kearney Enrichment Council. 

“After five years of serving the KEC, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of this amazing team. When I came to the organization in 2019, I quickly learned the importance of the KEC and the role it played in our community. I have been able to meet some great individuals, businesses, and organizations. As I am sad that I am leaving, but I won’t be far, and look forward to continue to support the KEC as a volunteer.”  

Throughout the year, the Enrichment Council continues to offer events such as Kearney’s Magical Night, Wine and Chocolate, and the Halloween Blast, and will continue to explore and offer new social and learning opportunities for the community.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story