Bal Swan Children’s Center is a nationally recognized early childhood center in Broomfield. As the first non-profit in Broomfield, established in 1963, the children’s center allowed Broomfield residents to rally behind a cause for which they cared deeply. Bal Swan Children’s Center led the way in non-profit leadership and philanthropy in Broomfield, allowing the community to pour their hearts and pocketbooks into supporting a place that celebrates the dignity, value and worth of ALL children.
In the early 1960s, when Broomfield was a burgeoning community, families were working to create a community culture that reflected their beliefs. One of the shared beliefs was that all people in our community have value, regardless of their ability. Nothing reflects this shared belief more than the origin of Bal Swan Children’s Center.
Five Broomfield couples became parents to children with disabilities. Their children were denied a public preschool education. With passion and purpose, these Broomfield families created a foundation to support education for children with disabilities, hired a teacher, and found a space for their schooling. With the help of the community, the Boulder Valley School District and a wonderful woman who agreed to be their teacher, Miss Marlene, the foundation created an educational home for young children with disabilities.
During the schooling, Miss Marlene discovered something profound at that time–children with disabilities achieved greater developmental progress when learning together with their neurotypical peers. When the world dismissed them, their same-aged friends said “We want to be your friend.”
What Miss Marlene discovered anecdotally, the world now knows empirically–children are highly motivated by one another and have the inherent empathy and compassion to be accepting and encouraging friends to people of all abilities.
By the late 1960s, Miss Marlene was advocating for a permanent location to be built to serve her young students. Two community philanthropists–Mr. Bal Swan and Mr. Fred Spallone, graciously gave money and land to build the current Bal Swan Children’s Center building. The school is a cornerstone in the Northmoor Park neighborhood, bringing stability, accessibility and children’s joy and exuberance to the neighborhood.
As Bal Swan Children’s Center became rooted in the community, they also created innovative ways to raise money for the center and raise awareness of the value of educating children in an inclusive environment. The annual Bal Swan Ball, now in its 59th year, was the first black tie fundraising event in Broomfield and remains a beloved evening out for adults in the community today. Through the years, Broomfield businesses such as Sill Terhar Motors, Varra Companies, A-One Chipseal, Hunter Douglas and the Spallone family have been presenting sponsors for the Bal Swan Ball. Other local businesses have purchased tables and raised their paddles in support of Bal Swan Children’s Center’s mission.
The 2023 Bal Swan Ball, “Our Future in Bloom,” will showcase the high quality work occurring at Bal Swan and also share the vision for growth. The Bal Swan Board of Directors has voted to raise funds to modernize the building to adapt to 21st century learning needs and licensing regulations. Bal Swan Children’s Center will serve children and families beginning at birth and will stay with them through the child’s completion of the 5th grade. Inclusive classrooms will be the center of the new school, along with robust pediatric therapy offerings and parent education. Bal Swan Children’s Center will be a beacon of hope for families–a place where they feel supported and loved and cherished as people with potential–not defined by their ability but defined by their belonging to a supportive, nurturing community.
Join us in moving into an innovative new space that Broomfield will showcase to the country. Broomfield will be the leader in inclusive education and creating a strengths-based culture that promotes belonging. With the community’s help, Bal Swan Children’s Center will impact more families and children.
Children will be SEEN
Children will be VALUED
Children will learn to celebrate the unique strengths of others
Children will be KNOWN
YOU ARE INVITED to attend the 2023 Bal Swan Ball, and demonstrate your belief in the shared values established in the Broomfield community approximately 60 years ago! Bal Swan Children’s Center needs the support of the community to carry on their impactful work, and invites all community members to share in the work of investing in our most important human resource–our children!
Join us in moving into an innovative new space that Broomfield will showcase to the country. Broomfield will be the leader in inclusive education and creating a strengths-based culture that promotes belonging. With the community’s help, Bal Swan Children’s Center will impact more families and children.
Children will be SEEN
Children will be VALUED
Children will learn to celebrate the unique strengths of others
Children will be KNOWN
When the world dismissed them, their same-aged friends said “We want to be your friend.”
