PRESS RELEASE - August 3, 2007

The Ballard Community Services Board of Directors in conjunction with the
Brookcreek Learning Center Board of Directors has announced that both of the
Brookcreek Learning Center sites, one located at 200 Mount Hope Court and
one located at Lawrence High School, will formally consolidate with Ballard
Community Services on September 1, 2007. Ballard Community Services,
formerly known as the Ballard Community Center, is located in the former
Lincoln Elementary School building in North Lawrence and provides a low
cost, high quality early education program and ancillary human service
programs such as food assistance programs, rent and utility assistance
programs, and medical prescription assistance. Brookcreek Learning Center
in operation since 1981 provides an early education program that provides
children with the skills necessary for successful learning and positive
social interactions.

In addition to the North Lawrence location, Ballard Community Services also
operates Penn House at 1035 Pennsylvania in East Lawrence and operates the
Emergency Services Council. Gail Vick, Chair of the Ballard Community
Services Board of Directors says, “The Board of Directors of Ballard
Community Services is very excited about the opportunity to combine the
strengths of both of these organizations in an effort to enhance the
services provided to our constituents, provide greater accountability to the
supporters of both organizations and to provide additional services to
children and families in our community. Both of these organizations have a
great history of providing services to Douglas County residents.”

Dennis Garrison, Chairman of the Brookcreek Learning Center board says, “I
am convinced that the consolidation between Brookcreek and Ballard Community
Services is a positive step for everyone. The community will profit from a
more efficient operation and the law of large numbers. We will have more
grants available to us which will allow us to provide a more comprehensive
educational experience for our children. The staff will have more access to
the culture of the Ballard entity and thus enrich their experiences as well.
The parents should begin to see the benefits of some of the additional
experiences we will be able to provide almost immediately. The bottom line
is that everyone wins. This consolidation is a huge step forward in
preschool education in Lawrence.”

The United Way of Douglas County and the Douglas County Community Foundation
are in support of this consolidation. Douglas County Community Foundation
Executive Director Chip Blaser says, "these two excellent early education
programs are to be commended for combining to enhance opportunities for
children and families in an efficient manner." Dianne Ensminger, CEO of
Ballard Community Services states “the support of both of the Board of
Directors, our funding sources and the Lawrence and Douglas County community
is integral to the success of this consolidation.”

The two operations will be combined under the Ballard Community Services
non-profit corporation as of September 1, 2007. As part of the merger,
several members of the Brook Creek Board of Directors will become members of
the board of Ballard Community Services.