Then & Now – From Capper Kid to Communications Professional – Meet Lacey Kinder

For Lacey Kinder, it’s hard to imagine a life without Capper Foundation. 

While she now serves as a content specialist at Washburn University, the road included many stops at Capper. 

That journey started in the late 1980s, when Lacey came to Capper as a one-year-old with left hemiparesis, a condition similar to mild cerebral palsy. It affects motor skills on the left side of her body, making it harder to dress, bathe and get around. She began receiving physical and occupational therapy and soon made incredible progress. 

Her connection to Capper didn’t stop in childhood. In 2008, Lacey earned a mass media degree from Washburn University. When a recession made finding a job challenging, she turned to a familiar place. 

She took a volunteer marketing position at Capper and, a year later, was hired as an administrative assistant. 

Working at the place that helped shape her meant the world to Lacey. 

“I can never remember a time that I wasn’t happy to be around there. To know what I was doing, even though it was behind the scenes, was making a difference for the children and adults that we were serving.” 

Lacey was determined to keep growing professionally and find work in her field. In 2015, she got that opportunity — a part-time marketing position on Capper’s development team, which led to a full-time position she held until 2025. 

It was a full-circle moment for Lacey. She saw herself in the children receiving therapy and knew that even if their disabilities were different, each had the potential to grow. 

That perspective made telling Capper’s stories especially important to her — showing how children reach their goals, the passion therapists bring to their work and the opportunities Capper provides. 

She says the opportunities she received at Capper helped prepare her for the role she has today. 

“Capper made it possible for me to make this leap,” Lacey said. “They supported me through a lot of big moments in my life. Without their belief in me, I wouldn’t be here.” 

Last year, she made the difficult decision to leave what she called her “second home” and head to Washburn. She wanted to see if she could succeed outside Capper. In her new position, she oversees the weekly email newsletter for faculty, staff and students, writes press releases and more. 

Lacey’s life was dramatically changed by Capper, from learning to walk to working at the organization for nearly 16 years. But it wasn’t just Lacey who changed. During her time there, she saw Capper grow to new heights — building its Adult Day Services program, expanding into South Central Kansas and opening new Dialogue Coffee House locations. 

“Even though I’m not there physically every day, I think about Capper and the families, the adults, my former co-workers who are still friends, every day. I’m nothing without what Capper has brought to my life.” 

Today, Lacey makes a point to stay connected. She volunteers at events, supports Dialogue and is a donor. 

It’s that support from Lacey, and donors like you, that gives those we currently serve the opportunity to write their own stories and pursue their dreams — even those once thought impossible.

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