A Warm Welcome from the Konz Family!
Hello everyone! I'd like to take a moment to introduce myself and my family, and to share my reasons behind opening Little Rainbows Play Place.
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My name is Niina Ajango Konz and I've been married to my husband Jason for 15 years. We have two rambunctious boys who are 3 & 6 years old (picture from 2022 ). They love to run and climb and jump and tumble, and are obsessed with every type of vehicle.
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Prior to becoming a mom, I had been a daycare teacher and nanny for 10+ years. So when my first son was born, it made sense for me to become a stay-at-home parent. And like most parents do, I began looking for places and programs in the Fort Atkinson area for him (and me!) to get some socialization and physical activity. There weren't a lot of convenient options and being relatively new to the city, we didn't know anyone else with young children. We ended up driving to indoor playgrounds that were 30-60 minutes away, especially in the cold winter months when the kids were going stir crazy.
In addition, my oldest son was diagnosed with autism, which made finding appropriate places even more difficult. We tried several different options, but were often met with annoyance and judgement from parents who didn't understand my son's behaviors. It quickly became clear that our area not only needed a safe, local place for all children to play and burn off excess energy, but one that is inclusive to special needs children as well.
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My main goal for Little Rainbows Play Place is to become the go-to hub for local parents and children to connect with each other by creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive “community within a community." I'm passionate about fostering connections between and within families, and working towards eliminating the isolation and loneliness that many parents and children experience all too often.
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Our family is very excited to be offering this service to the community and we can't wait to meet you! Please feel free to reach out at any time; Little Rainbows Play Place is here for YOU!
How we came up with our business name
Rainbows often mean different things to different people. Here's what rainbows mean to us:
Inclusivity & Diversity​​
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Just as a rainbow includes a diverse spectrum of colors, our play place welcomes children of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities with open arms.​
The Autism Infinity Rainbow
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The rainbow in this symbol represents our desire to support children and families like ours who are living the "autism life." We understand firsthand the importance of providing a nurturing environment where every child feels understood, accepted, and empowered.​
It Honors Our Rainbow Babies
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Both of our sons are "rainbow babies" - babies born following a miscarriage or infant loss. The term symbolizes hope and healing after the storm of pain and grief. Having the word "rainbow" in our name not only honors our two boys, it honors the children we have lost as well. It is through these difficult experiences that we have become inspired to build a compassionate community for families that are facing a multitude of challenges.​​
​​​Connection & Positivity
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Let's get real... You can't see rainbow and connection in the same paragraph without singing the song in your head. (In Kermit the Frog's voice, of course!!!) Simply put, rainbows make us happy!​ There's something about the combination of colors that makes us feel joyful and balanced. And while rainbows are commonly drawn as arcs, they are actually circles - fully connected, without beginning or end. We hope that Little Rainbows Play Place gives you that same happiness and connection whenever you visit.