LINC has been providing free morning and after-school programming since 1999 as part of its Caring Communities work that began over 30 years ago. And LINC has participated in the Afterschool Alliance’s annual national Lights On Afterschool celebrations since it began in 2000.
Most of LINC’s more than 40 after-school programs gathered their communities in Lights On events this October and November, once again adding to the numbers nationwide that the Alliance reported has exceeded more than 1 million people participating in over 8,000 events.
LINC stands out locally and nationally for making its programs available at no cost to families in the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, Grandview, and Center school districts in Kansas City, Mo., plus Topping Elementary in the North Kansas City School District and the Tolbert at DeLaSalle public charter school.
With the support of the school districts, LINC leverages state and federal funds to provide important after-school program benefits that national studies show are important to most families, but unaffordable in inaccessible to many who need it most.
The Afterschool Alliance’s report, America After 3 p.m., gathers data showing that 75% of parents believe their children are safer and more likely to stay out of trouble if they are enrolled after-school. And while LINC is providing its programs in the Kansas City area, nationwide, the study found, three out of four of the 30 million families that want after-school programs are not getting them.
They want and need LINC’s programs provide: Community support, the ability for many parents to keep jobs, and peace of mind that their children are safe and learning after school.
Watch a celebration of KC heroes, featuring Alvin Brooks, at Phillips Elementary in KCPS
Watch the Mighty Wild Eagles open the fall festival at Hickman Mills Middle School
It’s worth celebrating in Kansas City.
The many LINC events included cookouts, fall festivals, family STEM activities, dancing, fashion shows, trunk or treats, and a celebration with Kansas City icon Alvin Brooks honoring some of Kansas City’s great men and women.
“Lights On means a lot to me,” said LINC Caring Communities Coordinator Jurnie Scott at ACCPA in Kansas City Public Schools. “It’s a time for families to come together and just have fun. Even when I was a kid, I really enjoyed this time of year. Cheers to Lights On!”
