The Midnight Wrens Headline Benefit for Key Collective

EXETER__The KEY Collective’s #areuin? card program, which makes it possible for all children, regardless of economic status, to have an equal opportunity accessing out-of-school programming with no social stigma attached, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

A celebration and fundraiser to mark the occasion will take place on June 26th at the Word Barn Meadow in Exeter, featuring a concert by The Midnight Wrens, food, drink, a silent auction, and activities for children.

“This annual event is not only a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon outside with family and friends, but a chance to support an organization that truly does make a positive impact on the lives of kids in our area,” said Kristyn LaFleur, the organization’s executive director. “Our hope is that both those already familiar and those new to The KEY Collective will leave feeling good about knowing what great work we are doing in our community for the kids that need it most.”

The program provides qualified students in K-12th grade with the #areuin? card, which makes it possible for them to access programs through 25 partner agencies across the Seacoast. Most programs are offered for free or at a greatly reduced rate.

The idea started after an informal conversation LaFleur had with local Pediatrician, Dr. Kristen Johnson. LaFleur had been working with the Seacoast Public Health Network on their Healthy Living Program, which educated her about non-profits at work in the community. The two women talked about the desire to give kids access to activities outside of school without the stigma of applying for financial aid.

With the help of a $10,000 grant from Exeter Hospital, the KEY Collective took shape. It began under the umbrella of the Seacoast Public Health Network and Lamprey Health while working toward becoming an independent non-profit. Along the way, the mission remained the same: to help all kids access sports, music lessons or even art lessons, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

They began with a pilot program in the Exeter School District, reaching out to families who qualified for free or reduced lunch, to offer them the #areuin? card. The first year, they sent information to 500 kids, of which 165 applied for a card. The program has partnered with 25 organizations in the Seacoast, most of which already had scholarships available for children, which in some cases were underutilized.

“Many people don’t even realize there are a whole other group of children in our schools whose families struggle financially, in some cases just to put food on the table, let alone pay for anything extra,” LaFleur said. “Especially since the pandemic began, parents are realizing how much their kids need social, emotional and physical stimulation outside of school on a regular basis.”

The program serves the Seacoast from Exeter to Portsmouth to Seabrook and Hampton. They have relationships with the Exeter Area YMCA; Northeast Junior High Football; Exeter Youth Lacrosse Association; Exeter Youth Baseball & Softball League; Play Practice Basketball; Stratham Parks & Recreation; Exeter Parks & Recreation; Hampton Parks and Recreation and the Portsmouth City Soccer Club.

Families who have connected with the program say it’s been lifechanging. “This is the first time we've been able to sign our son up for sports since it usually costs too much for us,” one parent said. “He had so much fun, and we had so much fun too watching him play soccer on a team with other little kids for the first time. We are very thankful.”

The KEY Collective received a Project Play Champion award in 2017 from the Aspen Institute which enabled the local grassroots organization to connect with resources and organizations across the country. They hope to tap into those resources as they work toward a goal to expand statewide.

Tickets for the fundraiser and celebration at the Word Barn are now available and can be purchased here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midnight-wrens-meadow-concert-to-benefit-the-key-collective-tickets-321446514177