Church of the Resurrection, LINC join in holiday food distributions

Kansas City parent Tiffany Relves was in a state of mind of feeling “like there is no hope” when she got word of one of the Church of the Resurrection’s food drives with LINC. “We have been going through some very hard times this past year. This means everything to my family. This has truly been a blessing to me and my children’s life.”

Watch: LINC reinforcements help U.S. Marines in 'Toys for Tots' overload

There was a problem. The days to Christmas were counting down. It looked like a mountainous proportion of the some 40,000 toys the Kansas City Marines’ Toys for Tots collect each year was still piled on the vast floor. LINC’s Carl Wade asked: Do you need volunteers?

Missouri families' pandemic pain demands urgent response, new study says

Thousands of Missouri children are not getting enough to eat, a new nationwide study shows. Thousands live in fear of eviction. Many have no health insurance. And all across the state a mental health emergency is growing.

Ready to serve joy: LINC embraces Toys for Tots mission

The U-Haul truck is reserved and LINC’s Carl Wade is standing by, awaiting orders from the U.S. Marines. The mission: Help the Corps deliver the gifts of the Marine Toys for Tots program to families in LINC’s Caring Communities.

Calling all KC hands to rescue education system 'on verge of collapse'

The “frightening” expanse of unenrolled or disengaged children across the Kansas City area can be rounded into large numbers — or bared one-by-one. An enrollment and drop-out task force is issuing a call to educators, business leaders, policy makers and anyone else who wants to join in the work.

LINC expands community efforts to bust pandemic's barriers for children and families

The mother’s needs came tumbling out like the insides of a dumped suitcase. This was going to take some doing — finding temporary storage, relief from utility bill debt in the thousands of dollars, and fulfilling her child’s prayer that her family would get a new home by her birthday.

Many ways to get help with housing, utilities: 'Pick up the phone and call'

Two truths from a virtual summit on KC’s help services: The strain on families — many of whom are experiencing severe need for the first time — has become overwhelming. But a rising wave of financial help and services is just as strong.

Shake it up! Lights On Afterschool finds a new groove

No more was the pandemic going to hold back what LINC and its communities yearned to give and share. The fall weather came cool and clear, and LINC’s annual Lights On Afterschool events went outside to find a rush of parents, teachers and children ready to join the fun.

Voting at Arrowhead: 'Our responsibility' (and we 'love the Chiefs!')

A giant bowl of blue sky and crisp autumn air seemed capable of bringing the statue of Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt to life as voters came to Arrowhead Stadium Election Day in what was for many an electric moment in their voting lives.

Dancing with dinosaurs for 'Books and Treats!'

LINC Caring Communities in Hickman Mills threw a joint party, handing out books, snacks, candy and helpful resources for some 260 children and adults, dancing drive-thru style.

Hickman Mills' campaign against chronic absence sets up pandemic success

The jarring pandemic sent the Hickman Mills School District’s campaign against chronic absence down a whole new — and unfamiliar — track. But the project with Attendance Works is proving a success, both in improving attendance and keeping students engaged during these months of distance learning.

Lights On Afterschool events celebrate Caring Communities' strength

All across LINC’s sites in six different school districts, Lights On Afterschool celebrations will be marking the shared experiences of communities that have been through so much, bringing “joy and hope to everyone.”

Seizing the moment: A decade of stories, two centuries of Black lives to be celebrated

This fall the annual Black History project marks ten years of celebrating great men and women who forever shaped our city and our nation with a free book compiling the stories, along with contemporary essays by local leaders.

Genesis' schoolyard flu shot clinic to model partnerships at most critical time

In a world laced with coronavirus symptoms, the need for widespread common flu vaccinations could hardly be more urgent. And that goes especially for school communities that have always been vulnerable to flu outbreaks.

'Hit the Woah!' LINC grooves in Covid's surreal world as more schools open

Finding new ways to enjoy and comfort each other can mean dancing to “Hit the Woah!” instead of hugs as LINC staff and children reunite in-person in re-opening schools.

Last call: Final days for high schools to register 18-year-olds to vote Nov. 3

With so many high school students learning at home online, schools have to get creative in getting newest voters enrolled. Online registration offers opportunities, and now is the time, because Oct. 7 — Wednesday — is the last day to get on the rolls.

Health Forward's 15th anniversary: 'What is it we will do while the hungry child awaits?'

Accompanied by area artists and poets, Health Forward Foundation commemorated its 15th anniversary colored in beauty and pain while committing to fight against the racial inequities that shadow the health and prosperity of many Kansas Citians.

Kansas City at its best — sharing strength in food, voting power with Chiefs, Royals

Here, outside the Chiefs and Royals stadiums, was Kansas City at its best — though not playing sports this time. This was a city registering voters, raising its civic voice and sharing thousands of pounds of food to help each other in a strange, challenging time.

All thumbs up! Girls On The Run goes virtual

“We’re getting to know each other,” Coach Shayla said. “We’re empowering each other, encouraging each other. That’s what Girls on the Run is all about — helping you be your better you, the best you can be.”

Rosemary Lowe remembered as the 'strong, proud voice of a movement'

Rosemary Smith Lowe broke color barriers in a segregated city, forged Black political power, raised up neighborhoods and, even in her 70s, could stand as a fulcrum of peace between police and angry youths. LINC remembers one of our founding commissioners.