South Central Kentucky Kids on the Block puppet troupe has purchased a building to house nonprofit organizations.

Located at 958 Collett Ave. behind the International Center of Kentucky, the building is called the SKY Center for Nonprofits. It’s a center for nonprofit collaboration, according to Ashley Reynolds, Kids on the Block executive director.

“Our board is passionate to that being added to our mission,” she said. “We’re passionate about collaboration. We want here to be dialogue and more collaboration.”

The $225,000 building is 10,000 square feet with a kitchen, conference room and courtyard, Reynolds said.

“We sold our old building (on Russellville Road) within a week of listing it. The board members stop by more often,” she said. “The location is much more convenient.”

Kids on the Block purchased the building from Fred Higgins, the widower of the late Jamie Gaddie Higgins, who started Bowling Green’s Kids on the Block 30 years ago.

“The whole thing’s come full circle. It confirmed to me that Kids on the Block is not just maintaining or struggling,” Reynolds said. “It feels like a rebirth. It feels like it’s really getting started. That’s what the real cool part is.”

Reynolds wanted the center to be similar to the Youth Opportunity Center in Nashville, which houses eight nonprofit organizations that work together for youth enhancement.

“We think this is the start of a similar center for nonprofits. We’re concentrated on nonprofits in southcentral Kentucky,” she said.

“We want to create a situation where nonprofits have all the resources to excel. They want adequate space that fits the need of their organization, a place where people can find them and is affordable so that it won’t keep them from hiring staff because their rent is so high,” she said. 

Kids on the Block moved into the space in October and Big Brothers Big Sisters in January.

“We’ve been in just under a month and have gotten settled,” said Susan Waggoner, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It’s been a smooth transition and a good transition.”

Their lease was up at their old location, and they heard about the opportunity at the center, Waggoner said.

“It was a great fit for the size that we needed,” she said. “If we need help they’re here, and if they need help we’re here. All the pieces fell together and made it an excellent opportunity to reach the clients we serve.”

Waggoner said nonprofits seem to go for the same dollar, but working in this way they can help one another.

“It’s inspiring to know nonprofits are all in there together,” she said. “You can go across the hall and say, ‘Have you done this?’ or ‘Hey, I need help with this. Can I pick yourbrain?’ ”

Once Big Brothers Big Sisters finishes some fundraisers, Waggoner and Reynolds can talk about how they might collaborate, Waggoner said. It could include using the puppets to provide programing for children waiting to be matched with a big or even utilizing Kids on the Block’s business partnership with Hot Yoga for programming. 

Reynolds said it makes sense.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is school-based, and we’re school-based. We can help each other think of things we may not have thought about,” she said. “When you’re in the same building, the possibilities are endless. There’s going to be more communication because they’re your neighbor.”

Reynolds is seeking a new nonprofit to move into the building.

“We’re hoping to fill the building by midyear. We’ve got a third of the building left to rent. The interest has been overwhelming,” she said. “We want nonprofits to move to improve their situation. Not every nonprofit is going to move here.”

Rent will depend on how much space is needed, Reynolds said.

“We’ll look at our budget and look at their budget. No nonprofit is going to feel trapped here,” she said.

Kids on the Block needs the money.

“We have payments on it, so there’s a pressure for us to fundraise. We have to grow,” Reynolds said. “It’s a good pressure, but now not only do we have to take care of us, but we also have other people in the building. This is their space. They don’t want to move. It’s a unique position to be in.”

They’re also trying to look for someone to help renovate the conference room that will be open for free to any nonprofit, Reynolds said.

Waggoner is excited about the opportunities being in the building can present.

“The community can stop by and see any one of us … ,” she said. “We encourage people to stop by and hopefully give back to the community we’re serving.”

Reynolds agreed.

“I’m most excited to know that these puppets can keep educating children,” she said.

Nonprofits interested in moving into the building can call Kids on the Block at 270-842-2259.

— Follow features reporter Alyssa Harvey on Twitter at twitter.com/bgdnfeatures or visit bgdailynews.com.