With new bridge across Troost, Operation Breakthrough to expand, serve hundreds more

Operation Breakthrough on Thursday announced a major expansion — and a new bridge across Troost Avenue — that will allow it to provide all-day educational programs for 290 more at-risk children.

The goal is to increase enrollment to a total of 720 children by August.

The agency purchased the former Jones Store Co. building across the street from its current location at 3039 Troost Ave. The second building will offer space for new programming as well as a gym for team sports and a “MakerVillage,” where kids can get practical experiences.

The two buildings will be connected by a bridge across Troost, a symbolic dividing line, leaders said, between black and white and poverty and prosperity.

Operation Breakthrough is raising money in a $17 million capital campaign. Most of that has come from foundations and corporations. Operation Breakthrough leaders said Thursday they hope the general public will donate the remaining $2 million.

“This expansion project is all about giving as many children as possible opportunities they might not otherwise have,” said Operation Breakthrough CEO Mary Esselman.

Kansas City Mayor Sly James said it’s important to get young people on a good track.

“If we don’t take care of their education then we have failed, not them,” he said. “You can’t blame them 20 years down the road if they don’t have an education …

“Operation Breakthrough has stepped up to that challenge day after day after day for decades.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2018 at 2:26 PM with the headline "With new bridge across Troost, Operation Breakthrough to expand, serve hundreds more."