About KIDS' Strong Start

About

Vision

All children under six have access to affordable quality childcare in the Pikes Peak Region.

Project of Family Friendly Initiative

KIDS’ Strong Start, a project of the Family Friendly Initiative — or FFI—was co-created by representatives of more than 120 organizations. The FFI brings together people and organizations who care about children and provides a launch pad for community engagement to stimulate a wide variety of actions in the Pikes Peak Region to catalyze the creation of quality childcare spots. For more, visit JointInitiatives.org/FFI.

Leadership

Margaret Sabin

Margaret Sabin is a longtime Colorado Springs healthcare leader who served as President of Children’s Hospital Colorado Southern Region, where she helped open the first regional pediatric hospital and expand community health programs. She is deeply committed to improving children’s health, resiliency, and access to care through partnerships, population health initiatives, and pediatric behavioral health expansion. Margaret believes every child deserves a supportive community and the resources to thrive at every stage of life.

Mayor Yemi Mobolade

Yemi Mobolade

Yemi Mobolade is the 42nd Mayor of Colorado Springs, an entrepreneur and community leader committed to strengthening families and nurturing opportunity across the city. He co-founded the community outreach initiative COSILoveYou and has championed inclusive civic engagement, economic vitality, and service partnerships that support all residents. Driven by his own journey as an immigrant and parent of three, Yemi focuses on building a welcoming, safe, and thriving community children can grow and succeed.

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer

Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer is the President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, where she leads regional partnerships that connect business, education, and community to create opportunities for families and future generations. Since 2022, she has helped drive economic growth, support workforce pathways, and build programs linking classrooms to careers, helping ensure that local children have access to thriving schools and promising futures. With decades of experience guiding community development and collaboration, Johnna’s work highlights that strong communities start with investing in children’s education, well-being, and long-term success.

Thayer Tutt

Thayer Tutt is Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer at the El Pomar Foundation, where he helps guide strategic philanthropy supporting education, health, and youth-serving programs across Southern Colorado. He serves on numerous nonprofit boards helping strengthen the systems and institutions that support children and families. Through his leadership and service, Thayer focuses on expanding access to opportunities and resources that help young people grow, learn, and thrive.

Steering Committee Members: Thomas Aicher, Matthew Ayers, Laura Blackburn, SherryLynn Boyles, Betsy Brown, Max Cupp, Liz Denson, Margaret Dolan, Michael Gaal, Dirk Hobbs, Lauren Hug, Sally Hybl, Catania Jones, Judy Mackey, Deb Mahan, Tracy Marques, Becky Medved, Lindsay Pack Moll, Elizabeth Quevedo, Doug Quimby, Mike Scruggs, Michelle Talarico, Barb Winter, and Joe Wyka.

Purpose

Studies have revealed that collaboration across organizations and leaders is the most effective approach to creating desired change in a community. This approach is often referred to as collective impact.

By pooling resources and expertise, we can develop a robust blueprint for success that not only addresses the immediate gap in childcare services but also creates sustainable accessible solutions.

Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families

Joint Initiatives (also known as JI) hosts the Family Friendly Initiative and the KIDS’ Strong Start campaign. JI has a thirty-year history of working behind the scenes to bring early childhood providers and advocates together the build the childcare system. JI coordinates the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) for El Paso County and is home to the county’s Early Childhood Council, called Alliance for Kids (or AFK).