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.

Time limits resume for federal food assistance, potentially impacting 26,000 Missourians

Adult SNAP participants without children must prove they are meeting work requirements or will lose benefits after just three months

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.

KIDS COUNT Data 2023: Child care stress pushing parents to breaking point

Too many parents in Missouri either cannot find safe and adequate child care — or they can’t afford it when they do. The consequences, reported in the 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, are tearing at families, neighborhoods and the nation’s economic health.

Hickman Mills launches year-round school; LINC steps up

Hickman Mills is experimenting with a year-round school concept, trying it at Ingels to see if it can realize some of the academic and social-emotional gains that a stretched-out school year promises. LINC will be there. See what parents and kids think.

Check out all the prizes waiting for you at Caring Communities Day 2023

We are seriously loaded with prizes that we’re giving away at Caring Communities Day this Saturday, June 10. Take a look at the video. Check out our photo gallery. We’ve got big raffle give-away prizes like grills, air fryers and Chiefs tailgating gear. And we’ve got hundreds of game prizes for all ages.

LINC Commission welcomes new members

The Local Investment Commission has named former state Sen. Kiki Curls, lawyer Shawn Foster and longtime legislative aide Matt Haase to join the LINC commission in overseeing the work of LINC’s Caring Communities in support of children, families and neighborhoods.

Caring Communities Day June 10 to deliver food, family resources, music, dancing, games and prizes

And it’s all for free: The food. The treats. The games. The music. The raffle prizes. All the information booths. Caring Communities Day returns with a joy that reminds us what a world of good neighbors means to children and families. Join us. Here’s what you need to know.

Important information for families that are using, or may qualify for Medicaid

LINC is collaborating with several partners in the Kansas City area to help spread important information for families that are using Medicaid, and families that would qualify for Medicaid but have not applied. Here’s what you need to know.

Last Longfellow field day: Sending children to next adventures with love

“I wanted this day to be great for students, parents and our staff to show our Longfellow love and our Longfellow pride,” Principal Dr. Jimmie Bullard said. “(To have) a good, really good, last time together to show how much we care about and appreciate each other.”

LINC Chess tourney wraps up 2022-2023 season

LINC’s mission to engage children of all ages in the brain-building, problem-solving, sportsmanship of chess wrapped up the season with an area-wide tournament at Smith-Hale Middle School. We’ve got the results.

How LINC, DSS revolutionized the road out of welfare

Marge Randle wasn’t expecting the welfare revolution that would soon draw President Bill Clinton to town that day she first walked into Gayle Hobbs’ LINC office some 30 years ago. Randle and Hobbs quickly knew something special was happening. The creative concept of LINC, Randle said, was “a breath of fresh air.”

Line up LINC families! It's time to enroll for summer

June is just around the corner and LINC’s Caring Communities team will be there with before- and after-school programs, ready for lots of recreational fun and learning.

Begin the enrollment process now by filling out the online form at kclinc.org/summer.

LINC Caring Communities at Topping earns NKC 'Culture of Excellence' award

“Our partnership and the service that is provided to our students and families has been so beneficial for all and we want to celebrate you and show appreciation,” said Topping Principal Tina Hinds-Booth.

Warning for teachers, parents: Tobacco is changing and teens are the targets

Beware: Electronic cigarettes, little cigars, smokeless products, sweet candy flavors, and new products designed to hide addiction in plain sight — the next generation of dangerous and deceptive tobacco products is here and doesn’t look anything like a pack of cigarettes.

'Absolutely love it!' Tik Tok prom delights with style

LINC students picked the Tik Tok theme, and everyone at Ervin Elementary School in Hickman Mills could get in on the stylish fun at the annual year-ending prom. Check out the video and our photo gallery.

Remake Learning Days Kansas City brings citywide fun, adventure May 1-15

Kansas City is a community of learning and Remake Learning Days is celebrating with family and children events throughout the area May 1 to 15.

‘Most fortunate man': LINC's founder at 100

To find Bert Berkley, you push a doorbell set in a ceramic rainbow trout, and the man himself, on the verge of 100, stands at the threshold, beckoning visitors into the ambiance of the life he’s lived. The civic giant — named Mr. Kansas City in 1971 — and former longtime CEO and president of the still family-owned-and-run Tension Envelope has powered on, seemingly non-stop, while LINC’s Caring Communities mission grew and evolved beyond his early imaginings.

So begins our tribute to LINC's founder, Korean War survivor, business innovator, civic giant and master fisherman as he reaches a full century of life.

Read the full story

'Together we are better': LINC and partners rally lawmakers for kids and communities

On the same day that the 2023 Kids COUNT data was released, LINC and other community partnerships from across the state rallied at the Capitol in Jefferson City, urging lawmakers to the work of improving the welfare of children, families and neighborhoods.