Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
The Innovative Network of Knowledge (INK) officially opened its new facility in Jasper on Wednesday, May 28, expanding its Early Head Start and Head Start services for children aged six weeks to five years.
INK, an educational nonprofit based in Texas, came to Walker County in late 2023 and offers structured learning, free meals and snacks, diapers, wipes, and other essential items. On-site services include medical care, dental checkups, and speech therapy, thanks to partnerships with local organizations such as Capstone Health, Ron Brown Dentistry, HARTT, and Speech Works.
The new Jasper Center is led by Grant Director Dr. Rhonda Davidson, who returned from retirement to help bring the program to life.
“When I decided to retire from the local education system, I reached out to Paul Kennedy at the Walker Area Community Foundation and told him that I’m not exactly ready to retire yet, and he put me in contact with INK’s Executive Director, Dr. Denise Shetter,” Davidson said. “I stayed retired for two weeks and then went to work for INK.”
Since opening in Walker County, the program has grown from 10 to 16 classrooms. INK also employs six retired teachers as Education Coaches, along with multiple Family Specialists and other individuals who have worked in education and childcare in various capacities. INK has also hired 15 parents of enrolled children, covering the cost for them to complete a certification course and work at the center.
Congressman Robert Aderholt attended the event and emphasized the importance of programs like Head Start in today’s world.
“Our world has changed from times past when there was always someone in the home to care for a child,” he said. “Now, there’s a greater need for parents to work, so programs like Head Start are vital. When you invest in children, you invest in the future.”
INK’s Early Head Start operates year-round, while Head Start follows the local school calendar. Davidson and her team are committed to growing the program to meet the needs of local families.
“We have written a grant to add Pre-K classrooms. We have a lot of parents that don’t qualify for their children to be with us in Head Start or Early Head Start but would qualify for Pre-K,” Davidson said. “We wrote the grant, and the Department of Education has visited us to discuss curriculum and tour the facility, so hopefully we hear something on that soon.”
Davidson also added that, with the help of local organizations, INK plans to add an aftercare program.
“Our time with the children currently ends at 3:00 p.m. every day, but with aftercare, we could extend to 6:00 for working parents. We’re working on getting that started in the fall when we welcome back our Head Start students,” she said.
As INK looks to the future with plans for expansion and added services, Davidson said the heart of the program remains the children and the community that surrounds them.
“We love these kids, and we’re thankful to every parent who brings them to us each day,” she said. “I also want to thank the community here. When I tell you the partnerships in the community are phenomenal, I truly mean it. None of this would be possible without them.” WL
INK’s new facility is located at 1700 Highway 78 East in Jasper. To learn more about INK, visit exploreink.org.
