First day of school accents the year-round work of LINC's Caring Communities

“I’m looking for my leaders,” he says. “Show me your hands if you are a leader. Raise them high!” Nearly every child is waving. “Everybody look around,” Wilson says. “These are my young people that will help you if need help.” He didn’t ask, but every one of the blue-shirt LINC staffers has made the same promise — to the children, their families and the community.

'It's that time of year!' Excitement, joy, fuels Caring Communities mission as LINC preps for new school year

Fired up and ready to go. “It’s that time of year,” said LINC Caring Communities Director Sean Akridge. “ . . . anticipation, excitement, joy . . . reconnecting boys and girls with their friends, reconnecting parents with their friends . . .” See what LINC has in store for the coming school year.

LINC trains to better understand the paths through and out of poverty

When it comes to understanding the paths through and out of poverty, the LINC teams in the training room were ready for an advanced course. So when LINC gathered its staff with specialists from the Missouri Department of Social Services to train on “Bridges out of Poverty,” the work got serious fast.

Watch: LINC's S.T.E.A.M. team excites children; promises more thrills in coming school year

We’ve got witnesses. Children and LINC staff who were there tell the tale of explosions, bubbling concoctions and seeming magic that was the first year of LINC’s in-house S.T.E.A.M. team.

'Go get 'em!' LINC's summer adventures delight and educate

“LINC approaches summer with a go-get-’em attitude.” So goes the energy across before and after school programs with all of LINC’s school district partners and special Freedom Schools as hundreds of children saw their summer education spiced with exciting field trips and celebrations.

From healthy children to healthy communities: LINC coordinators train on youth mental health first aid

It might be a sullen child alone, head tucked down in the morning. Or an anxious child, lashing out at other children at the end of a school day. They can move hidden within the swirl of a busy classroom, and LINC is working with the Kansas City Health Department to help see to it that these children are seen, understood and comforted.

Look who stayed up all night: LINC lock-in invests in power of friendships

On the surface, the night was all about fun — bus rides together to classic sports gyms and event spaces, stopping at a corner store for 3 a.m. for treats, gaming into dawn. But there was another layer, maybe not so obvious to the boys . . .

LINC site council helps spur action for critical sidewalk construction

The experience is inspiring to the Pitcher community and to the other Caring Communities sites that are trying to empower their neighborhoods. “Shout out to the site councils,” LINC’s Andrew Smith said. “You have a chance to get out into the community and do some cool things.”

Why LINC loves middle school: Grandview graduation with state Rep. Ealy celebrates special, important years

See what makes middle school years special for LINC and our Caring Communities as we celebrate the Grandview Middle School graduation with guest State Rep. Anthony Ealy.

'We want you safe.' P.O.S.S.E. teaches LINC students leadership, anti-violence — with a pledge and celebration

Shootings, crossfire, accidental deaths, lasting grief after the curious pull of a trigger. The P.O.S.S.E. anti-violence team went to LINC classrooms this spring to educate and recruit child leaders to be the ambassadors for a healthy summer, safe from the danger of gun violence.

The joy of tired legs: LINC 5K Bike Ride inspires children, families to 'keep your heart rate pumping'

The fleet of riders in LINC’s first 5K Bike Ride rolled onto Grandview’s Little Blue River Trail May 17 with some bikers who’d never tried such a distance before. “I just pushed,” 9-year-old Gennessys said. “Pushed my way into it.” “My legs kind of hurt,” said Araya, 10. “But it was fun . . . It’s fun to go biking with your friends.”

Earth Day at LINC: Free tree seedlings, family science games, and baby chicks

Earth Day opens a lot of opportunities for things LINC loves: Families, fun, science, future thinking and lots of learning.

And baby chicks.

Check out LINC's latest work in teaching families lifelong fitness

Like many of their LINC workmates picking up pickleball paddles on this weekday morning, Alicia Byers and Sherry Shumate-Jones were taking their first swings at the game. But they had children on their minds — the students back at their Caring Communities sites who, like them, would soon be encouraged to play the court game in their LINC after-school programs.

Martin City Telegraph: Youth chess tournaments are underway this spring

“LINC wants our students using their mind in productive ways. This helps them improve in their school studies, too.”

LINC site councils forge the power of relationships to lift up community voice

People want to be meaningfully involved in the success of their neighborhood and in the health of children and adults. Site councils, which are under way or coming to all of LINC’s Caring Communities programs, bring together the people to help make that happen.

LINC winter chess tournament draws 138 players from across area

The tournament drew 138 players to Gladstone Elementary School in Kansas City. Here are the results and a photo gallery.

'Double Up Food Bucks' helps families get more with SNAP EBT cards

Grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the Kansas City area are providing many families the opportunity to get twice the amount of fruits and vegetables for every dollar they spend.

Lights On Afterschool celebrations capture community school spirit

LINC’s Caring Communities sites celebrated the power of community schools with music, student performances, science shows, art, dance, lots of fun food and more during the month of October. Check out some of the scenes.

Big day in the Southland: Fall Festival shows off community love, joy

A brilliant fall sun shone on LINC’s first Fall Festival — and on dancing and singing students, art shows, science shows, horse rides, crafts and rows of tables where community partners displayed their resources and services available to families in south Kansas City.

Sports, fitness and life lessons for all: LINC athletic programs multiply

“It builds team work. It builds relationships. And it gives kids a sense of belonging to something. We want them to know they are important. We’re putting people in place that are going to teach them those skills of life.”