Elizabeth B Ballard Community Center

The Ballard Center is an integral part of our community. They Early Education Center/Preschool is top-notch with teachers who truly love and care for each child. The Pantry treats each customer with care and respect and is invaluable to North Lawrence. The Family Stabilization Services fills in cracks for families in so many ways. Lawrence is lucky to have Ballard and it's amazing staff!

I absolutely love the Ballard center! I’m a Lawrence native and my twin boys attend the Ballard center daycare M-F, all day long. They have attended since about March of 2024. From the first day my sons absolutely loved the staff and students and had no problem emerging their selfs into such a warm and welcoming environment. The staff has demonstrated excellent service/ provided a wonderful atmosphere to me and my children. This is something much needed for me as having twins can truly be overwhelming at times. Being that the Ballard center is local they are GREAT at providing community resources for those who may need help from time to time/ find their self’s struggling unexpectedly (unfortunately I found myself in that boat and the BC was able to help!) Partnering with the local school district is another benefit that my family has greatly benefited from. I would absolutely recommend the Ballard Center to any family that is in need of good, quality, affordable childcare and other community resources.

I am 45 years old. My experience was abusive and haunts me to THIS DAY. I was "spacing out, unable to pay attention in class and passed out after". Sometimes I woke up on the nurses cot unaware of what just happened and was told I was not allowed to go on the class walk for my bad behavior... so I was locked in the closet until they returned from their walk. It was dark, I was terrified and being punished for what turned out to be EPILEPSY not bad behavior. I don't consider it important but I can still describe the layout of this place, what the closet was like, the rope all of us held on to so everyone stayed "safe"... I WOULD NEVER WISH THIS ON ANY CHILD ANYWHERE EVER. TALK to your children, make sure they're not holding back because they're afraid to talk about things they mistakenly believe is their own fault. Teachers should know better. I have documentation of these events to this day. Please don't let this happen to your family.

I used to bring a little guy with all grown up now to the Ballard center preschool Staff was always nice and made him feel like he fit in with all the rest of the little ones God bless you people wish there were more Ballard centers

I had a 3 PM appointment for the pantry. I’ve been here before in November for the Xmas gift sign - up, I went to the big blue front door and rang the Ring bell. I’m new to Lawrence. I was greeted and walked in. This time, I was there for something new to me. I saw the white pantry sign by the creepy dungeon stairs, but, It’s also next to a bunch of sheds that have donations sitting inside. So, when I started to walk down the stairs I saw a red sign that said donations, pointing to the door. So I thought that’s what it was for. Some of us have disabilities you can’t see, and are avoidant of things like scary stairs. I went where I was familiar, the big blue door that says Ballard. I rang the same ring bell I did before, and waited. A familiar face who helped me with Xmas presents let me in, but walked to his office. So I walked up the stairs, and the lady who normally helps people, ignored me. I made eye contact with at least 4 adults and nobody asked why I was there or where I needed to go. My appointment was important, I have 5 children with 2 in diapers. All I wanted was diapers and maybe wipes if they had the kind that wouldn’t irritate my babies’ skin. I found my way down to the pantry, opened the door and asked politely, “is this where I go for my 3 pm appointment for the pantry?” The old lady sitting in the office chair asked me if I had kids who go here, I said no not here. She asked how I got in, I said the lady at the front door completely ignored me. She said oh that makes sense. She said my appt was in 1 minute even though it was actually 3:01 and told me to wait. I did, for like 30 seconds then she let me in. I came in and there was a tall blonde lady with shoulder length hair looking at me like I was stupid. Office chair lady said, “just for future reference, THAT door (she pointed at a floating door since we are in the basement) is the one you want to come to.” I asked, “the one at the stairs?” She said YES. I said oh…. I wasn’t sure if it was the right one. The blonde lady said “if you could step in so I can CLOSE THE DOOR.” I was like okay… office chair lady said “Well, I mean, there’s a BIG white PANTRY sign.” I just stared at her, like wow, I can’t believe you just said that. I wasn’t about to argue with her and explain the confusion with the donations red sign. I just said I’m, actually I think I’m just gonna go. She barked at me “EXCUSE ME. EXCUSE ME.” She has my info, my name isn’t excuse me. I just kept walking to the door. She was like “this IS your appointment time”. I was like “Oh, I know. But you’re being super rude. There’s construction outside, it’s confusing, it’s not my fault the front door lady didn’t do her job, I drove 20 minutes to get here, I’m sick, and your attitude is not necessary.” I left and called my husband in tears. Will NOT be back. Like, EVER. I cannot believe they can treat people that way. HORRIBLE experience. The fact is, someone let me in who works there. Not my fault. 3 workers there saw me and did nothing. Not my fault. I find my way there and you’re rude to me? It’s Christmas and I just had 2 babies, I was just trying to get diapers in a time money is tight. But it’s not worth being treated like trash. PS I would not want my child going there, anyone can come in, wander around multiple floors, and no workers have the integrity to direct you to the right place. The front door lady saw me looking lost, but approached someone who came in after me, because he had Xmas presents to drop off. Completely ignored me the entire time.