New sports league inspired by generational wisdom in basketball's game of life

Of course they see themselves in those kids. The same intense eyes. Youthful legs pitched on toes, wanting to spring into the action their coach demands. Wanting to be part of a team. To learn. To excel. LINC and other partners with the Kansas City Public Schools believe in the boys and girls in a new basketball league, and share a grand vision for the district and the city.

Summer EBT card food program for children returning in 2024 and beyond

The summer EBT food program for qualifying families with children is returning for Missourians in 2024, and will be a permanent program going forward, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today. The benefit will provide an extra $120 per child over three summer months.

A look back: Images from a wonderful, challenging year

From celebrating the Chiefs, to singing of Black History, meeting local farmers, putting on another Caring Communities Day, planting gardens, partnering in classrooms and joining in holiday festivities and much more — it’s been a fabulous year. Here’s our annual look back.

LINC, LFPA local farm initiative, going big on protein

LINC’s eight-month old local food distribution program got a lot weightier for the holidays. The Local Food Purchase Assistance program added 540 hams and 25 turkeys to the 1,500 boxes of produce that went out to area families.

Why we play chess: LINC tournament players show out big in NKC

LINC Chess’ first tournament of the 2023-2024 season drew 142 students from throughout the area, representing 43 different schools. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the tournament held Dec. 9 at North Kansas City High School.

KCPS board resolves to pursue bond issue election in 2025

The time has come, the Kansas City Public School board has resolved. It has been more than half a century since the school district has passed a tax issue. But now the district will be planning to put a bond issue election before the voters in April, 2025.

Seeing a bigger world; aquarium visit inspires KCPS, LINC students

The shark’s eyes and all its teeth swept past 11-year-old Isaac, trailing its fins in the shimmering blue-green water, close enough to touch if not for the aquarium glass between them. Here was an indelible image he could now fix onto the work he and his classmates had done days earlier in his fifth-grade classroom.

'We are family!' Lights On Afterschool celebrates with LINC's communities

For all the statistical and historical reasons that measure the value of quality after-school programs, the music at Meadowmere Elementary School’s celebration in Grandview captured the heart of it all: “We are family . . .!”

'How we would've liked to learn': KCYA helps LINC integrate the arts

Today, the classroom site was dancing space at Kansas City Young Audiences. But in the days ahead, the LINC staff aim to create scenes like this with the children in LINC’s Caring Communities after-school programs across the Kansas City area.

Want to celebrate your Caring Communities? Here's where to find events near you

The fun, food and celebrations will be happening at various Caring Communities sites from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2. Check it all out at kclinc.org/lightson.

Justice in the Schools was 'my voice' in beating eviction threat

The Right to Counsel and Justice in the Schools programs programs are helping hundreds of families remain in their homes as a Kansas City movement empowering tenants faces a rise in eviction filings.

'A mighty day': LINC Caring Communities go back to school

From North Kansas City to Grandview, from Kansas City’s West Side to Buckner, Mo., LINC’s Caring Communities school programs pounced on the new school year. See the sights and sounds. We’ve got video.

Garden therapy: LINC learns community gardening for the health of children, families

At the moment, the freshly churned garden bed was surrounded by adults — LINC Caring Communities coordinators and their staff — kneading the soil with seeds and seedlings. But it was easy to imagine where this hot August training day at Kansas City Community Gardens was leading: Kids. Lots of them.

Spreading the word: How students can get 2 years of college free

The Missouri A+ Scholarship program gives students the ability to earn two years of college free, but too many families don't know about it and are missing out on the opportunity. We’ve created a website to answer your questions.

Farm fresh: How free produce from Missouri growers is getting to KC area families

“It helps my kids eat healthy. It helps the moms who struggle throughout the summer to feed their kids when they’re not in school.” See how the Missouri Department of Social Services, LINC and local farmers are bringing home the harvest of a new federal program.

Tax-free weekend for back-to-school purchases coming Aug. 4-6

There will be no sales tax at all from 12:01 a.m. Friday Aug. 4 until midnight Sunday Aug. 6 on any sales of the exempt items like school supplies, backpacks, calculators and jeans.

Summer of LINC: celebrating the 'authentic child'

Summer at LINC throws open all the doors from the house of learning and opens children to a wider world. Throughout June, many of the children unloaded from school buses and let loose that first-time stare as they took in the scene of a trampoline park, or exotic zoo, or a theater stage.

Interactive map helps locate free breakfast and lunch summer programs for children

Free meals are waiting for children in the long summer weeks ahead, and an online interactive map can help families find where they are.

What a day! Triumphant Caring Communities Day shines with joy and love

“This is Kansas City. Everybody coming together.” Caring Communities Day can be measured by many large numbers, starting with a crowd that exceeded two thousand people. But take a look at the stories and images of the day and see how Caring Communities measure optimism, pride and power.

Joy of art: LINC, KCYA team up to help kids find their voice

Summertime and all its wide-open joy brings opportunities for something different, something more. LINC’s partnership with Kansas City Young Audiences — a staple of LINC’s after-school programming during the fall and spring — can really stretch during June and July. See how LINC students can attend a camp for free.