NEWS

Christina Ford working to open drop-in child care facility in Springfield next year

Ralph Green
Springfield News-Leader

Christina Ford confirmed to the News-Leader she is involved with opening a drop-in child care facility in Springfield next summer.

The child care facility, which will be called Kids Inn, is under construction on East Lark Street in south Springfield.

Ford moved to Springfield in 2018 when her husband, Dana Ford, was hired as the Missouri State University men's basketball coach.

While Dana Ford has been working to get the Bears basketball team back to national relevance, Christina Ford has hit the ground running with efforts to make the Springfield community a better place.

Ford, who has been named one of the most influential women in Springfield, brought her Rebound Foundation to Springfield to provide transitional housing services for survivors of domestic violence.

More:'I was in your shoes': How Christina Ford talks to youths about intimate partner violence

Now, Christina Ford is focused on opening a flexible drop-in child care center, which will cater to kids from 6 months to 12 years of age and will be open evenings, nights and weekends.

Christina Ford and her husband Dana Ford, the Missouri State head basketball coach, talk about their plans to open a transitional home for victims of domestic violence on Monday, Nov. 12, 2018.

"I wanted to start it based off a need that I had myself and a need I was hearing from the community," Christina Ford said.

Christina Ford said she is excited about the project and what it might mean for the community.

"It's really who I am and what I stand for," she said. "We just try to give back when we can, and also Springfield has been very welcoming and willing to partner with you."

Ford is partnering with Leah Peebles, director at Kids First Early Learning Academy, in this venture.

Ralph Green is a business reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Contact him at RAGreen@gannett.com, by phone: (417-536-4061) or on Twitter at RalphGreenNL.