The Kansas City Royals and Royals Charities are committed to being active members of the Kansas City community and region. Created in 2001, Royals Charities strives to support children, education, youth baseball/softball and military in and around the Kansas City area.

One of the latest ways the Royals organization is supporting area children is through a $25,000 grant awarded to KVC Health Systems. Royals Charities presented the check on-field to KVC representatives at the Royals’ May 22, 2015 home game with the St. Louis Cardinals. (Pictured L-R are Marie Dispenza, Director of Royals Charities; Michelle Lawrence, Vice President of Development at KVC Health Systems; and Chad E. Anderson, President of KVC Kansas.)

The grant will make it possible for KVC to conduct interactive child-parent therapy in new Wellness/Simulation Rooms located inside the KVC Institute in Olathe, Kansas. KVC conducts various types of evidence-based therapy with children and families who interact with the child welfare system, such as families who are in crisis and need stabilization and parental skill-building, as well as families whose children are temporarily being cared for in trained KVC foster families. The goal of the therapy is to create healthy and strong bonds between the parent and child and ultimately lead to a safe, timely reunification between a child and his/her parents.

In addition to the direct family services, the rooms are equipped with technology like cameras, microphones and ear pieces that enable coaching, training, and consultation. This allows KVC to embed proven practices not only among KVC sites, but also nationally and internationally by working with partner organizations.

This new grant was not the first time that the Royals have stepped up to the plate to help children in foster care and their families. Last year, we shared: “Kansas City Royals, KCP&L Partner with KVC to Support Children in Foster Care,” and the partnership continues to build!

KVC would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the Kansas City Royals and Royals Charities for generously helping children in our area. We on the KVC team are, without a doubt, #ForeverRoyal!