Some children in her downtown Omaha child care center have a tough time pronouncing her name.

Most 3 year olds in her care call Verna Kephart “Grammy” or “Grammy Burna.”

But in Omaha’s child advocacy community, Kephart is named as one of the difference-makers in the lives of disadvantaged children.

“It’s no job for wimps. You have to set your personal feelings aside,” the grandmother said.

Kephart’s cared for children for almost 50 years, opening Precious Memories child care center at 25th and Leavenworth Streets more than 20 years ago.

“I’m here because that’s where the need is,” said Kephart as she made her rounds through the center hugging children, calling them by name, and patting them on the back.

Next month, Voices for Children in Nebraska, a statewide child advocacy group, will honor Kephart with a “Work of Heart” award.

Kephart and her staff care for up to 100 children. About half of the children are in foster care, removed from their homes because of severe neglect and abuse. Others are struggling with autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, lead poisoning or birth defects.

“These kids are scarred. My kids are going to be OK, but some kids aren’t going to be OK because I can’t adopt them all,” Kephart said.

She and her husband have parented nine children in their blended family, including two former foster children Verna met at her child care center.

“I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into when I took this little baby,” said Kephart, referring to her now 19-year-old son.

But Kephart said the challenges that came with raising the boy trained her to help the troubled children she encounters daily at her job.

“I don’t have any letters behind my name. I learned by trial and error. And you make a lot of mistakes trying to do the right thing,” she said.

Kephart said her child care center accepts many children who’ve been rejected by other daycare centers because of behavior problems or special needs.

She and 11 staff members care for several children with autism.

Kephart knelt next to a boy named Davonte and encouraged him as the 12-year-old played non-stop with a yellow car and a racetrack. She said the boy didn’t play until about 6 years ago.

“Now he plays and that’s probably the biggest accomplishment I’ve done here,” she said.

Nearby, a boy named Michael belted out tunes on an electric keyboard.

“He’s deaf and blind,” Kephart said.

The boy surprised teachers one day when he spontaneously started playing songs programmed into the toy.

“Michael is the most talented kid you ever met,” Kephart said, giving the boy a bear hug.

Kephart said her mission is guided by a love for children and fueled by faith.

“God knows what he’s doing, even when I don’t,” she said.

Kephart and three others will be honored on Feb. 7, 6 p.m., at University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Scott Conference Center.

The event includes dinner, a silent auction, and awards. KETV is sponsoring the event. Tickets can be purchased by calling 402-597-3100.

Voices For Children works with the community and state policy makers to improve child welfare and protect children.

source: ketv

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