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.

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.

U.S. Education Secretary Cardona: 'This is community coming together for children'

When it comes to throwing a party for education, Kansas City has all the goods, says U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “This is a prime example of a community coming together to serve children,” he said about his “Raise the Bar” education bus tour stop in Kansas CIty.

'A mighty day': LINC Caring Communities go back to school

From North Kansas City to Grandview, from Kansas City’s West Side to Buckner, Mo., LINC’s Caring Communities school programs pounced on the new school year. See the sights and sounds. We’ve got video.

Garden therapy: LINC learns community gardening for the health of children, families

At the moment, the freshly churned garden bed was surrounded by adults — LINC Caring Communities coordinators and their staff — kneading the soil with seeds and seedlings. But it was easy to imagine where this hot August training day at Kansas City Community Gardens was leading: Kids. Lots of them.

Farm fresh: How free produce from Missouri growers is getting to KC area families

“It helps my kids eat healthy. It helps the moms who struggle throughout the summer to feed their kids when they’re not in school.” See how the Missouri Department of Social Services, LINC and local farmers are bringing home the harvest of a new federal program.

LINC Chess Camp: 'A great community, a great game to learn'

“Everybody comes together and they learn a game that’s been around for thousands of years. And they go teach their friends, and they teach their parents. It’s just a great community and a great game to learn.”

Summer of LINC: celebrating the 'authentic child'

Summer at LINC throws open all the doors from the house of learning and opens children to a wider world. Throughout June, many of the children unloaded from school buses and let loose that first-time stare as they took in the scene of a trampoline park, or exotic zoo, or a theater stage.

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.

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.

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.

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.”