United Inner City Services (UICS) Evolves to EarlystART

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 29, 2021) – On October 28, 2021 the organization United Inner City Services (UICS) formally announced a name change. Offering high- quality early education with an arts-infused curriculum, the organization felt that EarlysART better reflected their brand. Home of St. Mark Center and Metro Center in Kansas City and North Center in Pleasant Valley, MO, EarlystART will continue as one of the region’s leaders in early education.

While the new brand was unveiled at the organization’s annual fundraising event held on October 28, 2021 at Arrowhead Stadium, the institution will continue the rebranding process and will have an official launch in December 2021.

Leveraging input from current and former families, staff, and community partners; the organization worked with Yoodle, a local brand agency, to develop a bold aesthetic and new name.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on an EarlystART with our new name. As a new network of vibrant and progressive early education centers with a distinctive, arts-infused curriculum and environment, the new name and look depict the organization and direction we are headed more fully.” said EarlystART CEO, Deidre Anderson.

“Our original name reflects our history and will forever be referenced as part of our roots. While we started as an organization serving the urban core, we have expanded significantly, and in new parts of the city. EarlystART says it all for us - it’s what we give every child that walks through the doors of any of our centers! This is also what we want to advocate for ALL children, whether they attend one of our programs or not.”

While more information will be shared in the days to come, the organization’s temporary landing page earlystartkc.org offers visual representation of the organization’s new name and brand. With the updated tagline of embrace wonder, EarlystART hopes the community will fully embrace this sentiment and encourage support for serving the community’s littlest learners and their families. Support can be directed to either United Inner City Services (UICS) or EarlystART in the interim.

About EarlystART

Building Bridges, Inspiring Minds, Impacting Futures EarlystART (formerly known as United Inner City Services) is a multi-service nonprofit agency focusing on early childhood education and family development. Founded in 1967 and headquartered near downtown Kansas City, MO, EarlystART is home to three early education schools: St. Mark Child and Family Development Center (northeast KC), Metro Child and Family Development Center (midtown KC), and North Family and Development Center (Pleasant Valley, MO), and recognized as one of the area’s leading early childhood centers of learning. Serving a capacity of 300 students annually along with their families, EarlystART provides an arts-infused curriculum that focuses on positive social-emotional development along with preparation for a successful entry into the elementary education experience. The organization’s mission is “building bridges, inspiring minds, and impacting futures,” and maintains healthy partnerships with many regional organizations for the betterment of our community. For more information, visit earlystartkc.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and/or Instagram.