LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A recent $1 million donation will make a new children’s center possible in the Shively neighborhood.

Harbor House offers daytime care and educational programming for teens and adults living with cognitive and physical disabilities. But thanks to a large donation from Kosair for Kids, Harbor House is expanding its care and resources to younger children.

Rhonda Wilson makes the rounds at Harbor House. While she’s only been on the staff for eight months, she knows the ins and outs of the center as well as anyone.

“And this one here is where we learn arts and crafts,” Wilson said while touring the Shively facility.

Rhonda’s 15-year-old son was born with Down Syndrome and the two have been an integral presence at Harbor House for years. Wilson was so inspired by the care she and her son received that she wanted to work here herself.

“I wanted to be able to be part of that and learn more about me being a parent of a son with Down Syndrome and to see what his future would like as an adult,” Wilson said.

And now, Harbor House is taking on a lot more. Kosair for Kids donated $1 million to help them create “The Child Enrichment Center,” expanding daytime care and services to young children.

“There is nothing wrong with being specially blessed. And if we can grow up in that culture, we think it’s going to be life changing and we think we can make a positive impact on the world,” said Barry Dunn, Kosair For Kids President.

The announcement from Kosair brought Wilson and Harbor House CEO Maria Smith to tears.

“Without this, we don’t know where’d we go, what would happen, how we would get there. So this is going to be the check that makes it all possible,” Smith told a crowded room of supporters and staff.

Empowered by their work and by Kosair’s contribution, Wilson and Smith is excited for all the individuals who will benefit as they grow their family.