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The Lewisburg Children's Museum has received a grant award from the Battram Community Fund to support the Museum's Count Me In initiatives according to a news release. This $2,000 grant helps to provide free or reduced admission or programming fees to underserved families in our community.
"The Count Me In program has been a hallmark initiative of the Museum since opening," said Erin Jablonski, museum board president, in the news release. "LCM exhibits and programs encourage children to build social, emotional, cognitive, and fine and gross motor skills in a safe and accessible environment. It also introduces our littlest learners to positive and age-appropriate STEM learning experiences and skills."
"We are pleased to support the LCM's accessibility initiatives," adds Jennifer Hain, board member for the Battram Community Fund, according to the news release. "Such programs are an excellent way to build equity in early childhood education, which support larger regional efforts in STEM and career development, ensuring access to quality learning experiences which ultimately leads to a productive skilled workforce in our region."
The Battram Community Fund is committed to the vision of C.K. Battram, founder of Northway Industries in Middleburg, which provides residents in Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties with family-sustaining employment opportunities and generous contributions to community projects that serve area residents according to the news release.
As part of the museum's Count Me In program, the Museums for All program allows families receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can gain reduced admission to the museum and more than 1,000 other museums throughout the United States simply by presenting their EBT card and a photo ID according to the news release. Additionally, the Museum participates in Blue Star Museums, which provides active military families free admission during the summer months.
"Over the years, the means by which we continue to make the Museum accessible has expanded to include reduced admission for nonprofit organizations serving children; expanded programming for neurodivergent children through sensory-friendly events; free admission community days; and introduction of the cultural pass program that provides free passes to local libraries," says Jablonski, according to the news release.
Pre-COVID, the museum saw roughly 10% of its annual visitation through one of its Count Me In programs according to the news release. In 2022 that number rose to 30%.
Since its opening five years ago, the Museum has engaged with over 130,000 children and their caregivers through both on and off-site exhibits and programming according to the news release. The LCM participates in eight national programs and routinely partners with over thirty community organizations.