[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of Kansas City, Missouri's most successful childcare facilities. 
Serving more than 400 children daily, Operation Breakthrough is 
Missouri's largest single site childcare center and broad based social 
service agency. This year, Operation Breakthrough will celebrate 30 
years of helping less fortunate children develop to their fullest 
potential.
  After working together at St. Vincent's Elementary School in 1967, 
Sister Corita Bussanmas and Sister Berta Sailer were approached by 
several economically disadvantaged working mothers that wanted 
affordable and quality childcare. In 1971, at the mothers request the 
sisters opened a childcare center in their living room, at 31st and 
Paseo to care for 50 children. Later that year, the Catholic Diocese 
closed St. Vincent's Parish. Without funds from the Diocese, the 
parents worked together to obtain Model Cities funding in addition to a 
grant from the Hall Family Foundation. Thanks to the hard work, long 
hours and dedication from the sisters, families, volunteers and the 
community, Operation Breakthrough has gone through many transformations 
to become the non-religious, 501  (3) not-for-profit corporation that 
we know today.
  In 1976, the center grew to include before and after school programs 
allowing parents the ability to enter and remain in the workforce. Five 
years later, Operation Breakthrough moved to its current location at 
31st and Troost continuing its commitment to the urban core where it 
has added an extensive assortment of social services to meet the needs 
of the families and their children.
  Over the past 30 years, Operation Breakthrough has assisted numerous 
children living in poverty by providing them a caring and positive 
learning environmental. This not-for-profit organization offers the 
families and children of Kansas City the services of day care, Early 
Start and Head Start programs, a 7,000-volume library, a children's 
computer lab, health and dental services through Children's Mercy 
Hospital and various dental clinics, speech therapy, play therapy, 
occupational therapy, housing assistance, GED tutoring, parenting 
classes, mentoring, a clothing closet, and nutritious meals.
  As the largest childcare provider in the state of Missouri, Operation 
Breakthrough has excelled in every aspect of its service to our 
community. As a direct result from the success Operation Breakthrough 
has shown, last years appropriation committee recognized their efforts 
by funding the Second Step anti-violence program and Child Abuse 
prevention program in the sum of $180,000.
  Today, Operation Breakthrough is a place of laughter and joy for 
children in need. Five days a week from six a.m. to six p.m., Operation 
Breakthrough is a place which strives to provide children and their 
families the security and stability missing in their lives. Since 1971, 
Operation Breakthrough has provided the very education that will not 
only assist in developing these children, but also positively impact 
their ways of thinking and behaviors for the rest of their lives. Mr. 
Speaker, please join me in congratulating Operation Breakthrough 
celebrate thirty years of outstanding service to the Kansas City 
community.

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