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.

LINC announces new leadership

After 32 years, the Local Investment is announcing its first ever transition at its top executive position. LINC’s President and founding chief executive Gayle A. Hobbs is stepping into a new role as president emeritus, and LINC Executive Vice President Janet Miles-Bartee has been named in a unanimous decision to succeed Hobbs as president.

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.

Remembering Gayden Carruth, area education champion

Gayden Carruth, former executive director of the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City and pioneering superintendent in the Park Hill School District, died Wednesday at 79.

Hickman Mills Real World Learning program breaks ground on new home

Superintendent Yaw Obeng unveiled the wide range of offerings imagined for the building, with spaces for health sciences, skilled trades, a student-run coffee shop, alternative programming areas and more — seeing “gateways to a world of possibilities.”

'Overwhelming pride': Grandview bond issue success 'shows what's possible'

Here is what has come of a community process that with “an overwhelming sense of pride” asked, “What was possible?” Grandview Superintendent Kenny Rodrequez said. “This is just the beginning of a journey of what’s possible for our students.”

State school board names Dr. Karla Eslinger to be next Missouri education commissioner

“I’m honored,” Sen. Eslinger said to the board and the audience in the board room in Jefferson City. “This is an opportunity to work with you, parents and legislators on what I think is the most important work of our state: Education.”

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.

Volunteers needed for local tax preparation assistance program

Can you help? The Kansas City Metro Tax Coalition and MU Extension are seeking volunteers for the upcoming tax season (January – April 2024). See the many ways you can volunteer.

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.

A constant quest: LINC helps more families get rental and utility bill relief

After a several month hiatus, LINC was able to get more of the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds beginning in the summer. October, like the months that preceded it, has been busy.

Beautiful vision: Free eye exams and glasses set children up for success

The yellow school bus came rumbling up along the curb and the field trip was on. Out the elementary school students came, their faces lit with anticipation as if they were loading up for a trip to the zoo, an ice cream shop or a bounce house. But this trip was different. Eye tests and — for many of them — glasses would be the adventure of this day.

KC Digital Drive celebrates the "doers striving to change the community"

“People that are passionate, people that have a compelling idea, that’s where we go to support the doers and the actors who are striving to make change in the community.”

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.

Missouri Independent: Nearly half of recent Missouri Medicaid terminations have been children

Paperwork issues were to blame for most kids who lost coverage, raising some concerns those eligible for health care coverage are going without. See what you need to do to check your enrollment, or check your eligibility.

Eating it up: LINC kids love hot after-school meals

The question in the moment was: Has LINC and its partnership with Total Man CDC solved a healthy dinner gap in several area school programs? The answer, shown on the faces of children and teenagers, was happily clear. See what’s on the menu in LINC’s efforts in good nutrition.