More than 700 urban Kansas City children come to Operation Breakthrough each weekday, for nutritious food, lively learning, health and dental care, therapy and TLC, while their parents work or attend school. The children range from infants to age 18. About 20% are homeless. More than 70% of families live on annual earnings of less than $12,000. 65% of our children witness violence by age 5. More than 90% of our 5-year-olds test “school ready” each year, as compared with fewer than 50% of children in poverty nationally.
OB was founded 50 years ago by Sisters Berta and Corita, who were running a K-8 school for neighborhood children near 31st and Troost. Today, OB still uses a two-generation approach, helping children prepare for school success, while empowering parents to create a stable, nurturing home environment.