A Necessity: the MKC

Yesterday the MKC saw a very busy day-- with over fifty regular attendants and more than twenty new visitors, we had a full house! It was amazing to see our teens eating together, cooperating, and playing games.

The Center opened at noon yesterday, and by 12:05 we saw over twenty kids pass through those big blue doors. By 1:30 PM, the MKC saw over 25 new faces. It was so awesome to see teens come and explore the space. We showed parents around, saw the beginning of new friendships, and some playful competitions.

The Center had special hours yesterday-- and we were only open until 3:00 PM. The teens who came by stayed until the very last minute-- helping us clean and straighten up. They wanted to stay so badly, it was amazing. "Please, Ms.Quinn... just like, 15 more minutes. We want to stay."-- and we were floored.

So many high school students don't seek structured social involvement. When I was in high school I liked to get the two hour commute out of the way. I just wanted to be home. Then it hit me.

I wanted to be home because I felt safe there. I felt loved and accepted, no matter how bad my day. That's what the MKC is bringing to students who feel they do not have that sense of stability and support at home. Some teens are anxious to go home at the end of programming-- but most want to stay as late as we are willing to stay open. We offer a clean, safe, and loving environment where they can feel "at home".

Every day we aim to do everything as the Sisters of St.Casimir foundress (our namesake), 

Mother Maria Kaupas, intended--

"Always more, always better, always with love." 

That's our mission, really. We seek to provide more-- to serve these teens in a holistic sense. We seek to do better-- to create better thinkers, philanthropists, and spiritual beings. We seek to do all things with love-- to make these students feel the love and presence of a higher power in their lives. Our teens view us as "necessary"-- in such a way that they feel we are necessary in their lives. 

Every day, it seems like a new student tells us something like--

"I need this place. MKC is where I want to be."

"MKC is gonna 'turn up'. We're here to be good." 

"I love this place. Please stay open later."

This place is important to so  many-- myself included. It's changing the worldview of students, and teaching us, the staff, about the importance of love, acceptance, and philanthropy in our every day lives. 

We want to wish everyone a very happy Christmas, from the Maria Kaupas Center. 

Here's to many more!