In April 2024, KenCrest’s Early Learning Centers (ELCs) received a special visit that turned into a life-changing experience, not just for one child, but for dozens of families.
Through a partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, students from the ELCs have access
to health and wellness resources required by Head Start and Pre-K programs. Each child is required to have weight, height, hearing, vision, and nutrition check-ups by a certified nurse, who then sends notes to the parents for those children who need an extra checkup by a specialist in the field of need. KenCrest’s ELCs are located in some of Philadelphia’s most underserved neighborhoods, making health screenings and other supports even more valuable.
In 2024, optometry professionals from Salus at Drexel University provided free follow-up vision care to students flagged during the routine screenings. Each child in need received two free pairs of glasses. But the visit wasn’t just about improving sight; it was about catching severe conditions early and supporting children in every aspect of their development.
Take Bryan. A bright-eyed preschooler in KenCrest’s Pre-K Counts program. During his initial screening, a nurse noticed something unusual in Bryan's eye, prompting a referral for further evaluation. When the Salus team arrived, they conducted a thorough exam and noticed that there was something in the back of his eye. They called his parents in and recommended they go to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) or Wills Eye emergency room.
The parents immediately took him to CHOP, and they identified a conjunctival cyst — a growth that can obstruct vision and, if left untreated, potentially lead to more serious complications or even permanent vision loss. The presence of a cyst in a child so young was particularly concerning, as children's developing eyes are especially vulnerable to long-term effects.
Bryan was treated with medicated eye drops and placed on a care plan to monitor the condition. His parents were initially anxious upon hearing the news about the cyst. The uncertainty weighed heavily on them, but their relief was palpable when they received a clear treatment plan from CHOP. The swift intervention not only preserved Bryan’s eyesight, but also restored a sense of security and hope for his family. Because of the required health screenings for children in the Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs, Bryan’s future remained intact, and his family gained peace of mind.
This is the heart of KenCrest’s early learning model: holistic support for every child, every step of the way. At these centers, learning extends beyond the classroom. Children receive vital health screenings for vision, hearing, height, weight, and nutrition, ensuring that issues are identified early, and families are empowered with the resources they need to act.
And the impact doesn’t stop at the classroom doors. By removing barriers to care, programs like Head Start and Pre-K Counts offer families access to services they might not otherwise afford, creating equity in health, education, and opportunity.
What made the Salus visit so powerful wasn’t just the glasses handed out. It was the ripple effect: children seeing clearly for the first time, families receiving timely medical guidance, and educators being reminded that their work matters beyond academics.
Addressing vision issues early in life does more than safeguard a child’s health — it lays the foundation for future academic and social success. Clear vision is essential for reading, participating in class activities, and building self-confidence. When children can see the board, follow along with their peers, and engage fully in learning, their chances of thriving in school and beyond are vastly improved. The benefits of early detection and intervention ripple outward, shaping brighter futures for students and their communities.
KenCrest’s mission has always been about nurturing the whole child, to ensure healthy mental, physical, emotional, and behavioral growth. Through trusted partnerships like this one, we continue to provide children with the strong foundation they need to grow, learn, and thrive.
KenCrest’s Early Learning Centers do more than prepare children for kindergarten—they connect families to critical health services that can change lives. Help us continue providing vision screenings, wellness checks, and other essential supports by clicking the link below to learn more, make a donation, or get involved. Every child deserves the chance to see a brighter future, literally and figuratively.
