'You see me smiling?' LINC beats barriers plaguing utility bill assistance

Technological and bureaucratic knots have jammed access to billions of dollars of federal aid for rent and utility bill assistance. But hundreds of Kansas City renters got a tip that changed everything: Go to Morning Star.

Roll on up! LINC's Lights On Afterschool events bringing October fun

Pizza parties, Mad Science, bountiful home-grown meals, give-away books, cupcakes and some whip and nae-nae fitness dancing . . . LINC’s Lights On Afterschool is under way with many more community events to come during the week of Oct. 25–30.

LINC Commissioner Gorman honored with Doniphan Community Service Award

Anita B. Gorman, one of LINC’s founding commissioners and a champion for beautiful cities, community service and nature conservation is the 2021 recipient of the Alexander W. Doniphan Community Service Award.

School closings? Program choices? KCPS asking its community, "How far do we go?"

Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell is calling on everyone with a stake in the city’s future to join in a week of public forums to help answering the over-arching question: “How do we come out on the right side of history?”

Fear not: Youth health ambassadors steel their courage to save lives

Look out, because one of the purposeful effects of ArtsTech’s Youth Health Ambassador’s training in Kansas City is the fire it’s lighting in its graduates like Ruskin High School students Jayleona Mayfield and Shymerra Butler.

Apply for one-time summer P-EBT food card benefit by Oct. 10

Families with children who qualified for free or reduced-price school meals in the last school year can also receive a one-time $375 benefit per child through the summer Pandemic-EBT card program. The deadline for making application is Oct. 10.

Kansas City Black History book project wins statewide award for excellence

A 12-year project of gathering the stories of influential Black men and women in Kansas City’s history has won a state wide award for excellence.

School lunchrooms' grim tale: This is the crisis that Covid built

A food service crisis up and down the supply chain has districts scrambling after new resources and paring down menu options to meet the critical task of feeding students. “School is the only place where some of our kids get a hot meal.”

Cleaver: KC now a model in nationwide struggle to provide rent and utility assistance

In a quick trip home from Washington, D.C.’s wars Saturday, U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II stepped into the nest of Kansas City’s most vexing struggle. “Lack of adequate housing,” Cleaver said, “is the No. 1 issue right now in the United States. No question about it. This is it.”

LINC helps parents bring media attention to dangerous traffic at King Elementary

Parents and neighbors at Martin Luther King Elementary School — with LINC’s help — say they are just getting started in trying to protect their children from the dangerous traffic that rushes by their school.

Watch: LINC drum line celebrates state bicentennial with FACT, Clydesdales, Gov. Parson and crowds

What a coming out party. LINC’s drum line and drill team from Smith-Hale Middle School in Hickman Mills broke out its blue and silver, joining the Family and Community Trust and the nearly 100 attractions with Gov. Mike Parson under Saturday’s brilliant sun, marching in Missouri’s Bicentennial Parade.

Spread the word: Kansas City opens clinic to speed pandemic aid for rental and utility bill assistance

The city wants everyone’s help in spreading the word to get more households to apply. “We need to get the message out that you are not alone,” 3rd District City Councilwoman Melissa Robinson said. “A lot of people are in this situation for the very first time.”

'Justice in the Schools' legal help for families expanding to Center School District

Legal assistance for housing problems, eviction threats, foreclosure, consumer complaints and other matters is coming to the aid of Center School District families as LINC expands its support of the Justice in the Schools program.

Here's how to get your child tax credit if you are not getting automatic deposits

By now, most of you with children are already receiving the automatic $250 or $300 in extra monthly deposits in Child Tax Credits to help with the straining costs of raising families. But some households with children may be missing out and need help applying for the government relief. There’s an easy tool for that.

Do you qualify for expanded Medicaid health coverage? Here's how to find out

Expanded Medicaid in Missouri has opened the door for some 275,000 uninsured residents to get health coverage. Enrollments are under way and if you are wondering if you and your family can get Medicaid to help with healthcare costs, here’s how to find out.

Families receiving food stamps to get $375 summer benefit for children under 6

Missouri families who are receiving food stamps can expect an additional benefit of $375 for each child under age 6. The extra funds will be added automatically to each household’s existing Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT) for food stamps — or SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Fort Osage breaks ground on new administration, transportation facility

The Fort Osage school board and its constituents had a pretty big wish list for its community and its construction partners when it put two ballot issues before voters last April. Thursday morning, the first ceremonial shovels of dirt got turned for the big-ticket item — a new building for transportation, maintenance and administration.

Missouri food stamp benefits to increase beginning in October

The increase — approved by the federal government earlier in August — is the largest single boost in the program’s history. Learn more and see how you can apply.

Emotional day: LINC school families enjoy safe, joyful reunions

The promise of a new year, new friends, new games and educational adventures unfolded across some 40 LINC Caring Communities before- and after-school programs Monday in the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, Center, North Kansas City and Grandview school districts.

Landlords, United Way urge renters to apply for Covid-19 relief for back-due bills

A massive federal relief effort is trying to catch up with the vast need of renters and landlords who are struggling with rents, utilities and mortgages because of the pandemic. More funds are coming and renters with past-due bills should apply, say the United Way of Greater Kansas City and local landlords.