'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.

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.”

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.

'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.

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.”

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.

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.

'Lifelong impressions': Anita Gorman joins LINC/Topping students at conservation center

“It makes me proud,” Gorman said. “It makes me feel very lucky to live in Missouri that we have a place like this for children.” LINC and North Kansas City Schools’ Topping Elementary brought the fourth grade class for an adventure in Missouri wildlife.

Your guide to Hickman Mills, Center, NKC school board races, candidate forums, Grandview bond issue

The Hickman Mills, Center and North Kansas City school boards have elections April 2 and Grandview has a bond issue, joining other races and issues on the ballot including a vote a KC’s sports stadiums. See how to get info on candidates and forums.

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.