Keepin' Kaleidoscope Open!

Hi, my name is Arlene, and this is the tale of Kaleidoscope Family Gym on South Hill in Puyallup. Some of you know me and our story. For those who don't, let me share just a bit.

WHY DID YOU BUILD THE GYM: It started when my grandson arrived, a beautiful, imaginative little boy who happens to be autistic (and according to him - a hybrid dino/boy). I learned very quickly how hard the world is for kids with additional needs and their families, even with something as simple as finding a place for them to play.

After experiencing frustration and, yes - even some embarrassment - at place after place, I decided to build our own safe, welcoming play space for our family and others in the same boat. Kaleidoscope Family Gym was created, and we prepared to welcome all types of families, all ages and types of kids into our play space. We offered (and continue to offer) open play and private play, so all families could choose what type of play was comfortable for them.

WHAT MAKES KALEIDOSCOPE DIFFERENT: First and foremost, we are here for ALL types of families. We offer a safe space for neuro-diverse families, neuro-typical families, families with 2 moms or 2 dads or grandparents or foster families or supervised visits. Kids can be kids and that makes us so happy. And, in the midst of all of the major-motor types of gyms that provide loads of physical activity, Kaleidoscope offers a huge variety of sensory, creative and imaginative opportunities. And we mix it with room to run, scoot, wiggle and holler.

HOW DID YOU GET IN THIS PICKLE: People ask me how and why my little business got into such a pickle (my words, not theirs). Goodness, such a pile of things! As "luck" would have it, we opened right smack dab in the middle of Covid. It wasn't on purpose, but it happened. We searched nine months for a space for Kaleidoscope, and we signed our lease two weeks before the shutdown of the country. Because we couldn't open, I spent eight months using all my savings to pay rent and bills on an empty building. When we did open in December 2020, we did the back and forth Covid dance and made it through our first year only to find ourselves trying to survive in a scary economy, where gas and groceries suck up most of the disposable income any family has.

CAN YOU DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Oh, we pivoted, added, and removed different concepts, hoping to find the sweet spot where the community races to our door. We did Paint and Laughs and Yoga and Craft Fairs and Special Events. Events are fun and exciting, but what keeps us in business is steady bookings of playtimes and parties. Without those bookings, we got a little more behind each month. And behinder. And behinder. We caught up a little in the yukky winter/spring weather, but here we are in summer - the season of outdoor play and outdoor parties.

IS THERE ANY HOPE: Through the tears and constant worry, I continue to have hope. I've had people placed in front of me recently who have started helping me turn things around - my amazing assistant who shows up each day with "I've got an idea!", our fabulous social media guru who started creating the oh-so-important content for us to help us get noticed; and FINALLY (after nearly two years of searching) an insurance company that will cover drop-off care for us (so parents can have a break). We have caring, wonderful "regulars," and social media is starting to send new families our way. So yes, there is hope.

The heartbreaker, though. is that it might be too late. We have a great landlord, but there comes a time when the past-due rent has to be paid. We are in summer, so our 6-party weekends have dropped to 1-party weekends. The sunshine outdoors is more tempting than inside play. I totally get it. I would choose sun too, but often find myself celebrating the rain because it brings us customers!

So, here I am, in this spot - sad and embarrassed - but willing to do what it takes to save Kaleidoscope Family Gym. We have become a place for families to join together in play and relaxation, as a whole unit. A place for additional-needs kids to feel safe and comfortable. A place for all kids to run and jump and screech a little. A place for parents to bond. And I really don't want to let it go; I don't want to tell our families and communities that we have to close our doors because I couldn't figure out a way to pay the bills.

HOW CAN WE HELP: Well, as harsh and as basic as it may sound - I need donations. I need help catching up on our back rent so we have a chance to keep the doors open past the summer. If you aren't feeling the "cash for nothing" vibe, then perhaps you would like to buy a Summer Pass or a Membership or book a party. Bringing money into the business in any form is going to help us stay open. Check out our play passes, parties and memberships on our website. www.kaleidoscopefamilygym.com

Every donation that comes in will go straight to the back rent and we can catch up a little so the landlord doesn't have to say "enough".

Thank you from my heart and soul for any help or shares you can provide. Love you all, Arlene