JE Dunn + team break ground on Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab

Representatives from Operation Breakthrough, Eighty-Seven and Running, GC JE Dunn Construction and the design team recently celebrated the groundbreaking of the Ignition Lab, located at 3030 Troost Avenue in Kansas CIty, Mo.

When Travis Kelce signed a four-year, $57 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs in August 2020, his first purchase was the Muffler Shop - that building will soon be transformed into the Ignition Lab, an environment designed to engage teens in real-world learning experiences through workforce development and entrepreneurship, providing multiple pathways after high school.  

“In signing on for six more years with the Chiefs, I’m recommitting myself to the work I have left to do off the field as well. Kids (that) I danced and ate pizza with at OB (Operation Breakthrough) a few years ago are now teenagers navigating a world that doesn’t always have their back,” said Kelce.

The Ignition Lab is the natural next step for students, ages 14-18, who have aged out of Operation Breakthrough’s MakerCity program having acquired basic skills in coding, circuitry, culinary arts, construction and design, digital media, robotics, visual art and more.

“We are excited to close the opportunity gap in STEM.  Helping our children explore a variety of different fields including computer science, automotive and engineering, manufacturing, electronics and multimedia will not only help them figure out what they are passionate about but create opportunities to build a strong portfolio of client work, certifications and capstone projects.  I know of no other program that will provide this range of opportunities for our high school children,” said Mary Esselman, CEO of Operation Breakthrough.

More than 700 urban Kansas City children come to Operation Breakthrough each weekday for nutritious food, lively learning, health and dental care, therapy and TLC, while their parents work or attend school.

The children range from infants to age 14. About 20 percent are homeless. More than 700 percent of families live on annual earnings of less than $12,000, 65 percent of our children witness violence by the age five. More than 90 percent of our 5-year-olds test “school ready” each year, as compared with fewer than 50 percent of children in poverty nationally.

The current Operation Breakthrough MakerSpace and MakerCity STEM spaces promote hands-on collaborative learning in the arts, electrical, robotics, construction, culinary arts, multimedia, automotive and engineering, maker and green tech for children age 5 to 14.

“The vision is to give them a safe haven where they can continue to find role models, discover interests and develop skills once they age out of OB’s after-school program. I’m so excited to be purchasing a building adjacent to OB’s MakerCity that will be the future home of ‘The Ignition Lab, powered by 87 & Running.’ Together with OB’s staff and supporters, we’ll create a co-working space where teens will have the support, resources and opportunity to explore careers in STEM, launch their own entrepreneurial ventures and gain real-world experience,” said Kelce.

Students at the Ignition Lab can enter into the experiences at a beginner level and work through experiences that build proficiency.  When they are ready, experiences are available for mastery development, including when appropriate industry recognized certifications.

When Operation Breakthrough students are at school, area high school students will use the space during the day to enhance their classroom curriculum. The Lab, designed by Clockwork Architecture + Design, is expected to open Fall 2021 at the beginning of the new school year. 

Other project partners include: MEP engineer - Lankford Fendler; structural engineer - STAND Engineering; civil engineer - BHC; owners representative - MC Realty Group; and Solar Consortium.

Before and after pictures of the lab along with some construction video are available via Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1loa9TQsc2mkYnCL71hu1HF9w8Arvhii4?usp=sharing

About Operation Breakthrough: Operation Breakthrough, incorporated in 1971, provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education.  It cares for more than 700 children ages six week to 14-years-old every weekday and will be expanding to serve high school students in the fall. www.operationbreakthrough.org

About Eighty-Seven & Running: Founded by Travis Kelce, Eighty-Seven & Running helps underserved youth strive to become productive citizens by mentoring and motivating them to explore and develop their abilities while learning critical life skills. Founded in 2015, it has remained dedicated to providing resources and enrichment opportunities for youth and their communities through fundraising, athletic programs, mentoring, and outreach initiatives. www.87running.org