A Positive Partnership

KI provides flexible furniture to an Oklahoma elementary school serving homeless children.

The new year is starting off on an encouraging note for students attending Positive Tomorrows in Oklahoma City. The nonprofit school for homeless children opened the doors to its new school on December 2. It now serves more than 200 students, doubling its original capacity.

At 45,000 square feet, the new facility includes a playground, gymnasium, library, and kitchen. It was designed by MA+ Architecture and completed in part by KI, a furniture and wall system solutions company based in Green Bay, WI. KI outfitted the building’s classrooms, common areas, and cafeteria with a variety of furniture that now serves dozens of students daily.

“As a leader in the education market, we found that Positive Tomorrows’ mission was a wonderful intersection of our market strengths and our organizational values to serve and support our community,” says Bryan Ballegeer, KI’s vice president of education. He notes that KI has collaborated with schools, shelters, and other state and local aid organizations before, but “nothing quite like Positive Tomorrows.” The school addresses the challenges homeless students face every day and works to provide stability and quality education while their parents get the support they need to create a better life. It currently serves students from pre-K through fifth grade but has plans to eventually serve infants to eighth graders.

Comfortable, flexible spaces for children Positive Tomorrows creates comfortable, homelike environments for children through the use of flexible, moveable, and durable furniture. KI specializes in manufacturing furniture that can be reconfigured at a moment’s notice.

KI provided a variety of desks, chairs, tables, and lounge furniture for the school’s new facility. Some of the many products used include:

• Intellect Wave Chairs and Activity Tables
• MyPlace Lounge
• Ruckus chairs, café stools, task chairs, work tables, bookcases, and cubbies
• 700 Series Storage

“At KI, we know that school can be the most comfortable, safest place for children,” says Ballegeer. “With the new designs, furniture and overall environment, we hope that students at Positive Tomorrows will feel warmly welcome and uniquely deserving of this special space.”

Volunteer + share your story
Learn how you can help break the cycle of homelessness. Visit Positive Tomorrows 
(www.positivetomorrows.org) to see how you can get involved.

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