Confidence and joy: New basketball players thrilled with gift of shoes

The donors’ support sends a wonderful message to the students and the community, said Whittier Principal Phillena Layne. See the “confidence boost” that the students get “knowing that the community is behind them.

Good health (and brakes that work): BikeWalkKC gifts LINC kids with bikes, safety training

It’s not the sparkling green paint job that Garry mentions first when listing favorite things about his new bike. Not the smooth glide. Not the speed. The Gladstone Elementary student in LINC’s Caring Communities program was in love with the brakes.

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.

Shop-with-a-Cop night shares holiday generosity

“This is a very good thing for the community to have,” said 16-year-old Anthony, one of the LINC children sharing in the event. “We need to show our love and our kindness to spread good things around Kansas City.”

'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.”

Chiefs, NFL celebrate BoysGrow's work for youth and good health

Just a little more than a day before the Chiefs were to kick off the new football season, the NFL came to town to celebrate — and surprise — one of LINC’s partners in the work of spreading healthy, locally grown food.

Martin City Telegraph: LINC Caring Communities are vital hubs for healthy schools

“LINC is wonderful, it’s a lifesaving program,” said Neeco Sims, a LINC parent and grandparent. “It gives me time to focus while my kids are productive. They can do their homework, have all kinds of activities, and learn things like coping skills, which help them when they get home.”

Back-to-school highlights LINC's many services for families, neighborhoods

It was back-to-school week for the LINC Caring Communities sites, highlighting once more the wide array of services standing ready in LINC’s work of making stronger families together.

Better than ever: LINC and KCPS school leaders meet to kick-start new year

The set-up could hardly be better. LINC and KCPS, as both are enjoying renewed strength, organized a meeting of their school leaders ahead of the school year to better understand the many things they can do together inside and outside of the classroom to help children and families thrive.

A great day in the neighborhood

Caring Communities shined as beautiful as ever. More than 2,000 people joined a community celebration at the third annual citywide fair at 27th and Prospect. It was a beautiful day of “caring, loving and respectful people, all coming together.” See the stories and reactions to the day that tell why we are filled with such joy and gratitude.

Here we come! Caring Communities Day Aug. 10 to unite city in pride, joy

LINC’s Caring Communities Day — Version 3.0 — just gets bigger and better. All the free food, entertainment, music, dancing, games, prizes and family resources return Saturday, Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Morning Star Youth and Family Life Center on the corner of 27th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Mo. See why it's a big party with a big mission.

Catch the beat: LINC's Summer of 2024

Check out some of the sights — and sounds — of LINC’s Summer 2024. The rapping with Healthy Hip Hop, honing basketball skills at NBA star Christian Braun’s Champ Camp, water play at Phillips Elementary and drumming with the Urban Bucket Brigade Bootcamp were some of the highlights of an adventurous season of recreation, adventure and learning.

Children with 'good hearts' design inclusive playground with Front Porch Alliance, LINC

“We have a good heart,” said Faxon student Zykhale, 12. When his classmates began imagining making Faxon’s playground accessible for their classmate, Elvis, and other students with disabilities, “we all liked the idea and we went with it.”

KSHB-41: All-nighter event for KC-area boys aims to educate them on gun violence, build character

LINC’s overnight adventure combines passion for sports with a serious mission to help young boys and men make strong decisions in life.

Dancing out the school year: LINC celebrates with field days, food, games and carnivals

A fabulous 2023-2024 school year came to a close with school and family celebrations with our partners across LINC’s Caring Communities. Here is a video glimpse at just some of the fun.

'Bringing the urban core and yoga together': LINC families celebrate first yoga spring social

“What’s special about today is we are in the Third District here in Kansas City,” said yoga instructor Debonie Lewis, “and we are bringing the urban core and yoga together. We’re allowing people and their families to come out and a have a morning of relaxation, a morning of fun, a morning of movement and meditation.”

We're ready for a great season. Go to kclinc.org/summer

Here comes summer. LINC’s Caring Communities are getting ready at 17 sites with our summer school partner districts. We’ll be learning, playing and growing together. Go to kclinc.org/summer to enroll.