U.S. Sen. Kit Bond neighborhood meeting on foreclosures in the Kansas City area, FAST - Families and Schools Together training seminar, Hickman Mills School District bond and levy election, High School Seniors job and career fair.

Founder Bert Berkley talks about the history of LINC at the Kansas City Public Library during his book signing for "Giving Back: Connecting You, Business, and Community".

LINC founder Bert Berkley talks about his new book "Giving Back: Connecting You, Business, and Community". 

Ingels Caring Communities foreclosure meeting, Sen. Claire McCaskill foreclosure clinic, ACE Caring Communities Soul Food Luncheon, Deborah Scott receives Child Adovacate Award, Palestine Neighborhood Caring Communities open house.

LINC staff in Independence receive awards, Palestine Neighborhood Caring Communities Open House, High School Job Fair, Voter registration, Child Advocacy Day 2008

LINC's founder Bert Berkley reads part of the foreword to his new book "Giving Back: Connecting You, Business and Community". LINC is featured in a chapter of the book.

Academy of Kansas City's Holida Fun Event, News conference by National Senior Citizen's Law Center about what consumers should know about nursing home admissions agreements, LINC founder Bert Berkley reads part of the foreword of his new book.

ACE Caring Communities dedication, Palestine Neighborhood Development Association, Dr. Robert Lupton, Eastern Jackson County Community Center

Palestine Caring Communities, Superintendents and a charter school director speak about LINC partnership, Moving On: LINC forms new partnerships, 2007 Lights On After School, 2007 Independence Heritage Festival.

After ending its partnership with the Kansas City, Mo. School District, LINC forms new partnerships with school districts, community centers and Charter Schools.

Grandview Caring Communties enrollment, Educare child care accreditation project, Crestview Caring Communities backpack program, 2007 POWER of Diversity Celebration.

Welfare to Work award, Hickman Mills back to school rallly, William Chrisman Caring Communities Site Council, Independence "Weed and Seed" grant, Sugar Creek Summer Program.

This LINC In Review is dedicated to Jane Stephenson, who passed away on July 20, 2007. Jane was a site coordinator at Longan Caring Communities since 1999. We will always remember her great spirit and love of the children she served.

LINC works closely with the Independence community, their schools and neighborhoods. This is a collection of eight stories that show the depth of this partnership.

A brief history of LINC. It provides great information from LINC's volunteer leaders and those working in schools and neighborhoods. It covers some of LINC's early history, approach and reasons for its success. The video shows the breadth of the effort, the commitment of its volunteers and how it is getting the community involved.

In January 2007, fifteen LINC Caring Communities sites were transitioned to the Kansas City Missouri School District. In April 2007, the LINC Commission votes unanimously to withdraw from the district. In June 2007, LINC finalized the removal of all equipment, resources and staff from the district.

2007 Educare Gross Motor Activity BBQ, McCoy Caring Communities Safe Schools Dedication, Randall Caring Communities job fair, NorthWest Communities Development Corporation and Independence Mayor Don Reimal honor LINC, Entrepreneurial and Child Development Associate Crendential graduation.

National Youth Service Day featuring Woodland and Gladstone Caring Communities, LINC receives Fujitsu donation, More² Luncheon with speakers Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II and Prof. john a. powell, CHARACTER COUNTS! at Attucks Caring Communities

Kansas City Missouri School District public forum about school closings on April 19, 2007. Superintendent Anthony Amato answers questions about the LINC and KCMSD partnership ending.

There was a resolution and unanimous vote for LINC to end its partnership with the Kansas City, Mo. School District. This video shares portions of the meeting along with parent comments and concerns.

LINC 3rd Annual Spring Chess Tournament, Women's Overnight Retreat at Woodland Elem., Blenheim Caring Communities Job Fair, Chris Henrich - independent evaluation of LINC Before and After School Programs, Israel Seminar, Steve Renne - Missouri Medicaid, Swope Health Services Mobile Medical Van ribbon cutting.

KCMSD - Best Buy Teach Award, Garfield Caring Communities Science Fair, LINC hosts AHEC, Herman A. Johnson mentorship POWER program.

2006 Educare Gala, Nedra Bonds - Educare Coordinator, Special Committee on Immigration, Siddak Lartey - Coro Foundation Intern, Maywood Baptist Church Summer Youth Program, Community Schools "Creating the Conditions for Learning".

11th Annual Educare Gross Motor Activity BBQ, Voices of the Century Perform, Van Horn Caring Communities celebrate ESL, J.S. Chick Caring Communities Chess Tournament, Mt. Washington Caring Communities dedication for Dr. West Memorial Playground, LINC Commissioners honored, Askew Caring Communities "Salute to Mothers".

5th Annual Spring Home Tour for the National Association for Family Child Care Accredited Providers, LINC Enrollment Training, Foster Care appreciation Month, Ladd Caring Communities Grandparents Day, Rosemary Smith Lowe - Winner of the Kansas City Spirit Award, Dutch Government Visits LINC, Strengthening Families PSA, LINC featured in a national report, Neighborhood Services Committee meeting at Fort Osage, LINC Site Coordinator meeting.

Blenheim Caring Communities job fair, Child Advocacy Day 2006, LINC PSA's, Independence Child Welfare Initiative, Finding A Family, Melcher Caring Communities peace walk, J.S. Chick Sould Food Luncheon, LINC Commissioners Oath

2006 Child Advocacy Day, Child Welfare Reform press conference, LINC PSA's, J.S. Chick Soul Food Luncheon, Independence Child Welfare Initiative.

2006 Child Advocacy Day, Child Welfare Reform press conference, LINC Public Service Announcements, J.S. Chick Soul Food Luncheon, LINC Commissioners Oath

This two month feature includes: LINC website promotional video, 2007 Child Advocacy Day, Buck O'Neil Book, Sugar Creek Eagle Exchange Auction, CHARACTER COUNTS! training seminar, Independence School District "Holiday Helper", Blenheim Caring Communities holiday gift baskets.

LINC Commissioner Richard Morris is a guest on the radio program "Community Focus & Issues" with host Don Baston.

LINC staff member Tim Decker has been selected to head the Missouri Division of Youth Services (DYS), part of the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Five steps on how to deliver a powerful message to your representatives in Jefferson City.

The late John W. Gardner discusses LINC and efforts to create a voice for every citizen in goverment and social services.

LINC exchanges ideas on community outreach with representatives of the Dutch government.

The Kansas City Missouri School Board discusses the transition of 15 Caring Communities sites. Parent concerns were discussed with the school board during their regularly scheduled meeting.

What do you see when you look into the eyes of a child?  Public service announcement.

The oath of office taken by all LINC commissioners.

LINC is featured in National Education Report in May 2006.  The report underscores the growing attention about community schools in achieving educational reform.

LINC Commissioner Rosemary Smith Lowe is honored with the 2006 Kansas City Spirit Award.

LINC Commissioner Mary Kay McPhee receives the Chancellor's Medal from UMKC. Commissioner Rosemary Smith Lowe is honored by the city with a street dedication.

LINC employees describe the organization in their own words.

Coalition for Community Schools National Forum in Baltimore, MD.
"Community Schools Creating the Conditions for Learning". June 2006

Marty Blank, Director Of Coalition For Community Schools, offers thoughts on how "community schools" can help address the essential "conditions of learning" and the opportunities for the entire community to be involved.

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer on Community Schools. The Coalition for Community Schools held a major conference in June 2006 in Baltimore, MD. The conference focus was Creating the Conditions for Learning. U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) shared these comments with conference attendees. Hoyer is the lead sponsor for the proposed Full Service Community Schools Act which would provide federal funding to support efforts in community schools.

Watch LINC chairman Landon Rowland being interviewed on ComCast's NewsMakers

This is the first video LINC ever produced. It provides great information from LINC?s volunteer leaders and those working in schools and neighborhoods. It covers some of LINC?s early history, approach and reasons for its success. The video shows the breadth of the effort, the commitment of its volunteers and how it is getting the community involved.

Ingels Caring Communities in the Hickman Mills School District hosted a meeting on residential foreclosures. Concerned community members and parents learned more about the issue.

ACE Caring Communities celebrates its partnerships with with the community.

Palestine Neighborhood Caring Communities holds an open house to celebrate new partnerships.

Elementary students at Academy of Kansas City made holiday decorations at "Santa's Workshop".

Afrikan Centered Education Collegium Campus held a dedication ceremony for its new facilities. ACE Caring Communities is one of LINC's largest Caring Communities sites.

Palestine Neighborhood Caring Communities is a new partnership between LINC and the city of Kansas City, MO.

Lights on After School is celebrated nationide to call attention to the importance of after school programs and activities.

Crestview Elementary, a LINC Caring Communities site, was featured in USA Today and honored by Office Depot for a program that provides backpacks full of healthy food and school supplies for needy students.

LINC began enrollment for Before and After School Programs at six elementary school in the Grandview School District, a new LINC partner. Other Caring Communities programs will be offered at Grandview Middle School.

Meet the William Chrisman Caring Communities Site Council and LINC Site Coordinator Rudy Summerville.

LINC Commissioner Richard Morris talks about LINC and Caring Communities on "Caring For Kansas City" on KCMO 710am radio. July 28, 2007. 

Hickman Mills celebrates the new school year with a back to school rally. LINC Caring Communities will be at eight elementary schools in the Hickman Mills School District.

Spanish Version - LINC Caring Communities Before and After School Program enrollment information.

LINC Caring Communities Before and After School Program enrollment information.

LINC is running 13 summer programs within the Kansas City, Mo. School District. Approximately 1000 children are enrolled in the programs which feature CHARACTER COUNTS!.

News story on a Community School in Chicago and the impact on children and neighborhoods. (courtesy NBC Nightly News)

The Independence Missouri School District is a Community Award Winner for 2007. Superintendent Jim Hinson discusses efforts by the district to make the community a safer place for children and families.

Multnomah County, Oregon is a Community Award Winner for 2007. Lolenzo Poe, Dept. of School and Community Partnerships, explains why Community Schools are important to students and to neighborhoods.

Concerned Northeast parents attended a public meeting on April 26, 2007 to discuss LINC and the Kansas City, Mo. School District ending the Caring Communities partnership.

Students from Woodland Elementary and Gladstone Academy participated in National Youth Service Day - KC in April 2007. They helped clean up their schools and spent time with senior citizens.

Over 50 girls from Clarke, King and Central middle schools participated in a women's retreat at Woodland Elementary.

Swope Health Serivces will be providing primary health services for the uninsured. A dedication ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 15th at Fort Osage High School.

LINC staff attend a CHARACTER COUNTS! training seminar and learn about the six pillars of character.

Students at Sugar Creek Elementary participate in the first Eagle Exchange Auction, a part of the CHARACTER COUNTS! program. The program rewards students for good behavior and reinforces the six pillars of character building.

Students benefit from an in-school dental office at McCoy Elementary in the Kansas City Missouri School District.

Mt. Washington Caring Communities dedication ceremony for the Dr. West Memorial Playground. May 26, 2006

Van Horn Caring Communities celebrates the "English As A Second Language - ESL" program with a year-end celebration. May 2006

Free summer youth program at Maywood Baptist Church.

Children of Melcher Caring Communities walk to celebrate world peace.

Ladd Caring Communities hosted their 4th Annual Grandparent's Appreciation Luncheon. April 2006

J.S. Chick is one of LINC's original Caring Communities sites and is well known for its Afro-centric academic program.

The LINC Neighborhood Services Committee meeting at Ft. Osage School District. May 2006

Blenheim Caring Communities delivers gift baskets to people in need during the holiday season.

Students perform the song ?Give It Up for Buck O?Neil? at O?Neil?s memorial service. The song is included on the DVD accompanying the book.

Blenheim Caring Communities Job Fair

J.S. Chick Caring Communities hosts the 6th annual "Be Your Best, Play Chess" tournament. May 20, 2006

LINC is expanding the Families and Schools Together program into all all LINC partner school districts. A dozen LINC Site Coordinators completed a week-long training to become FAST certified facilitators.

Over 300 people attended the 2008 Child Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.

Deborah Scott, director of the Missouri Division of Social Services, was the 2008 Child Avocate Award Winner. Scott is very supportive of LINC and its work.

Over 250 LINC volunteers "got on the bus" and joined others from around Missouri for the 25th Annual Child Advocacy Day.

David Shipler is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who wrote "The Working Poor: Invisible in America". He spoke at a 2004 LINC Commission meeting about debt, poverty and employment issues faced by some Americans.

David Shipler is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who wrote "The Working Poor: Invisible in America". He spoke at a 2004 LINC Commission meeting about issues that affect education.

The Ninth Annual LINC Educare Appreciation Gala video presentation. Honoring child care providers, Grandparents as Parents and Foster Parents.

The MC+ For Kids program provides health insurance for children of Missouri parents unable to afford private insurance.

Photographer Scott Chapin uses his photography to bring attention to Kansas City's children in need of adoption.

Winner of the 2006 National Civic Star Award.

Child welfare press conference.

Performance at the Kansas City Downtown Library. May 2006

LINC hosts the 11th annual Educare Gross Motor Activity BBQ. May 2006

Child care providers talk about their experience with Educare.

The Local Investment Commission welcomes Nedra Bonds as the new Educare Coordinator.

The 5th Annual Spring Home Tour of the National Association for Family Child Care Accredited Providers. May 2006

LINC exchanges ideas on community outreach with representatives of the Dutch government.

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt discusses the need of after-school care for children of working parents.

Missouri's Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families has been organizing Missouri Child Advocacy Day for more than 20 years to allow child and youth advocates an opportunity to show their support for children's issues.

LINC is strengthening communities by helping children and families. Public service announcement.

The Coalition for Community Schools presents "Community Schools For All". A look back at the history of community schools. 

Kansas City, Mo. School District Superintendent Anthony Amato answers a question about the school district?s plans for providing child care services this summer and fall to replace what LINC had been doing on the KCUR program "Up To Date".

Kansas City, Mo. School District Superintendent Anthony Amato and School Board President David Smith Monday discussed the timetable for the consolidation, the advantages and potential challenges of having children in a combined environment, and the district's new pre-K early childhood education program on the KCUR program "Up to Date".

The CHARACTER COUNTS! program is an active part of LINC Caring Communities in the Kansas City area. Summer school activities sponsored by LINC will utilize the CHARACTER COUNTS! program and its six pillars of character building.

Procter and Bryant Elementary Schools in the Independence Mo. School District were named "Gold Star Schools" by the Missouri Dept. Of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The LINC Spring Chess Tournament was held on March 24, 2007 at Rockhurst Community Center. Fifty-six students representing 14 Kansas City area schools competed in this tournament.

Chris Henrich, Ph.D., Asst. Professor in Developmental Psychology at Georgia State University, discusses his multi-year evaluation of LINC Caring Communities sites in the Kansas City, Mo. School District.

Chris Henrich, Ph.D., Profesor Asistente Psicologia del Desarrollo Universidad Estatal de Georgia, discute su evaluacion multi-anual de las comunidades carinosas de LINC en el distrito escolar de Kansas City, Mo.

This is an extended interview with Chris Henrich, Ph.D..

The Kansas City Missouri School District is the 2006 recipient of the $250,000 Best Buy Teach Award.

Van Horn Caring Communities celebrates the "English As A Second Language - ESL" program with a year-end celebration. May 2006

Marty Blank, Director Of Coalition For Community Schools, offers thoughts on how "community schools" can help address the essential "conditions of learning" and the opportunities for the entire community to be involved.

J.S. Chick Caring Communities hosts the 6th annual "Be Your Best, Play Chess" tournament. May 20, 2006

U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer on Community Schools. The Coalition for Community Schools held a major conference in June 2006 in Baltimore, MD. The conference focus was Creating the Conditions for Learning. U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) shared these comments with conference attendees. Hoyer is the lead sponsor for the proposed Full Service Community Schools Act which would provide federal funding to support efforts in community schools.

Swope Health Services Mobile Medical Clinic comes to Center School District.

LINC hosted a news conference for the National Senior Citizens Law Center on how consumers can learn more about Missouri Nursing Home Admissions Agreements.

Sweeping changes have been made in the Independence School District's nutrition services department. Fresher ingredients, fewer processed foods, and more fruits and vegatables are just some of the changes benefitting their students.  Thus, preparing them for a life of healthy habits and healthy eating.

Dedication ceremony for the Fairmount Plaza in Independence. It provides affordable homes for seniors.

Steve Renne, Interim Director of Medical Services for Missouri Dept. of Social Services, discusses Missouri's plans to reform Medicaid.

Swope Health Serivces will be providing primary health services for the uninsured. A dedication ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 15th at Fort Osage High School.

Recent changes in federal law require that most persons receiving Medicaid need to provide proof of citizenship in order to receive benefits when their benefits are recertified.

Recent changes in federal law require that most persons receiving Medicaid need to provide proof of citizenship in order to receive benefits when their benefits are recertified.

Around 1,800 high school seniors from 11 schools attended. School Districts participating were: Center, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence, Lee's Summit and Raytown.

The 2007 POWER of Diversity Celebration hosted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Minority Business Alliance.

POWER Minority Business Alliance and the Greater Kansas City Chamber Of Commerce honor the Herman A. Johnson Mentorship Graduates for 2006.

Randall Caring Communities in Independence held its first-ever community job fair on May 17, 2007. The job fair was open to the public and free to employers. Over 150 people attended.

State special committee on immigration in Kansas City. June 2006

Blenheim Caring Communities Job Fair

Dr. Bob Lupton was the keynote speaker at an event held at Maywood Baptist Church in Independence, MO on November 27, 2007. He discusses many issues on gentrification, poverty and healthy communities.

Rev. Tommie Pierson discusses social issues, education and employment at a MORE² luncheon on October 18, 2007 at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church.

The Rev. Timothy McDonald III is deeply rooted in the struggles for civil rights, economic and social justice and political empowerment in the African American community. He has taught and lectured at colleges and universities around the country.

Rev. Emanuel Cleaver II, pastor at St. James United Methodist Church and the 5th District congressman from Missouri, has championed diversity both as a pastor and political leader in Kansas City.

Prof. john a. powell has written extensively on significant issues including structural racism, racial justice and regionalism, concentrated poverty and urban sprawl in the United States, South Africa and Brazil. He is the executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and the City of Independence will host a public meeting to help those facing foreclosure.

United States Sen. Kit Bond discusses federal responses and the community impact of foreclosures at a March 21 meeting at Northland Neighborhoods in Clay County. Sen. Bond has been a longtime proponent of affordable housing and represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate since 1986.

Hickman Mills School District patrons on April 8 will vote on a bond and levy election. The issue was presented at the March LINC Commission meeting.

Sen. Claire McCaskill spoke to LINC about residential foreclosures at a community meeting organized to connect business and government to those in need.

Paul Wenske, reporter for the Kansas City Star, has written extensively on residential foreclosures in the Kansas City area.

Kelly Edmiston, Senior Economist for the Federal Reserve of Kansas City, spoke at the Jan. 28, 2008 LINC Commission meeting about the growing residential foreclosures in Kansas City neighborhoods.

Palestine Neighborhood Development Corporation celebrates their 25th Anniversary. The new LINC Caring Communties site is one of LINC's newest partnerships with the city of Kansas City, MO.

Concerned citizens are working hard to build a Buckner community center that will serve the rural Eastern Jackson County community and other neighboring communities.

The Independence Heritage Festival is a celebration of the diversity of the Independence community and its heritage. LINC is a proud sponsor of this multi-cultural event.

NorthWest Communities Development Corporation is a broad-spectrum community development organization that offers youth and senior programs, works with the police to address crime issues, and spurred housing redevelopment. LINC is a proud partner of the NWCDC and supports their efforts to improve western Independence.

"Living the Dream". Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was held in Independence, Mo. in January of 2006.

The First Annual Independence Ethnic Festival held in McCoy Park on October 15, 2005.

Mr. Zigler is Emeritus Sterling Professor of Psychology at Yale University.  He was one of the planners of Project Head Start.   He was born in Kansas City, Mo. in 1930 and is an alumnus of Manual Tech and Woodland Elementary.

Mayoral candidate Alvin Brooks speaks at the March 19, 2007 LINC Commission meeting.

Mayoral candidate Mark Funkhouser speaks at the March 19, 2007 LINC Commission meeting.

Celebrating a decade of difference in Missouri.

Held in McCoy Park in Independence, MO on September 30, 2006.