Won’t you join us in this safety & security upgrade project?
At Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy, we take great pride in not only providing quality entertainment but also ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone who walks through our doors. To further enhance the safety and security measures we have in place, we are planning to redesign our box office and entryway to implement a controlled access system. However, we cannot accomplish this important goal alone. We invite you to be an integral part of this vital cause.
THE CHALLENGE
At Topeka Civic Theatre, our primary focus is providing a safe and welcoming environment for our community. However, we have faced challenges that have compromised this sense of security.
One notable incident occurred recently during our summer camp. A homeless young woman set up camp under the corner bushes of our building. She began frequenting our premises, seeking to use our restrooms, charge her phone, and find relief from the summer heat. Her presence, while a stark reminder of the community’s broader challenges, left our staff, volunteers, and especially the youth feeling exposed and vulnerable.
This situation is not an isolated event. Several times a year, our staff must approach strangers wandering through our building. Often, these individuals need to be escorted out to ensure the safety of everyone involved. These encounters leave our team and volunteers on edge, knowing that any interaction could potentially escalate into violence or danger.
As we reflect on these incidents, it becomes clear that enhancing our building’s security is not just a precaution but a necessity. We must take proactive steps to protect our theatre family, ensuring that Topeka Civic Theatre remains a safe haven for creativity, education, and cultural enrichment.
THE INITIATIVE
Support the Box Office & Entryway Safety and Security Upgrade Project!
As a valued member of our community and a supporter of TCT, we are reaching out to you with an important message about the safety and security of our beloved theatre. In light of recent events and to further enhance our current safety measures in place, we have embarked on a crucial initiative to upgrade our safety and security systems.
Our theatre is the hub for many activities including performances, rehearsals, educational programs and daytime administrative operations. It is paramount for us to create an environment where our volunteers, staff and especially our Academy kids, feel protected and cared for.
Our plans include a redesign of our box office and entryway to implement a controlled access system. During non-performance times, this system will require a visitor to be buzzed in through an intercom, thereby allowing us to monitor and control entry more effectively.
Our fundraising goal is $300,000, and we are actively pursuing grants alongside individual and corporate support to achieve it. Every contribution puts us closer to our goal of improving the safety and security of TCT.
The safety & security enhancement campaign was initiated following a comprehensive security analysis conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, with consultation from local law enforcement and emergency management personnel. A feasibility study was completed by a local architectural firm, providing the foundation for the project’s goals and implementation.
By restricting entrance to only authorized individuals, we aim to mitigate potential risks and create a more secure environment for everyone involved in our programs and productions.
We cannot accomplish this important goal alone. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity and support of individuals like you to help fund initiative that benefit our community. That is why we request your assistance in our fundraising efforts for this project.
We invite you to contribute to this vital cause. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in our ability to protect those who utilize our facilities. Please consider making a donation today. Every donation is deeply appreciated and will directly support the implementation of our safety and security upgrades.
Thank you for your continued support of TCT and for standing with us as we prioritize the safety & wellbeing of our community!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate online
Mail a check to TCT
Make a gift of stock
Share this initiative with others!
PLEASE CONTACT JODI BOYD FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROJECT