LINC site coordinators are involved in supporting the reopening of two former schools as senior housing.

The two schools - Seven Oaks Elementary (Kansas City) and Mt. Washington Elementary (Independence) - had been closed for several years before developers secured financing and approval to repurpose the schools.

Seven Oaks Estates will be comprised of 28 two-bedroom units and 16 one-bedroom units. It is scheduled to open in May 2014.

Seven Oaks Elementary is located at 3711 Jackson Ave., Kansas City: Mt. Washington Elementary is at 570 Evanston, Independence.

Mt. Washington neighbors have been involved in discussions on use of the school auditorium and the school grounds.

The two former schools combined will provide approximately 90 units of affordable housing for seniors.

LINC site coordinators DeWayne Bright and Jennifer Stone have worked to gather community support for the respective projects.

Bright works with the Historic East Neighborhood Coalition. Stone works at the LINC Caring Communities sites in western Independence including Fairmount, Sugar Creek and Mallison elementary schools.

The Mt. Washington project has spurred other efforts in the neighborhood around the school.

The Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity has designated the Mt. Washington Neighborhood a targeted area building three new houses in the neighborhood and providing 30 Brush with Kindness exterior minor home repairs for the community. 

Work is also underway on creating community gardens and looking at ways faith-based institutions and serve young families in western Independence.

A lot of effort is being made to create new relationship between young families in the neighborhood including family nights where meals are prepared and family games conducted.