Did you know...

1-in-4 adults struggle with a treatable mental health condition each year? 

4 out of 5 families will be somehow affected by stroke over the course of a lifetime?

During the month of May, RIKC would like to thank our staff for their continued excellence in providing stroke and mental health care services.

Join The QUEST: ABILITY QUEST

On Sunday, June 10th, join RIKC in celebrating ability at Berkley Riverfront Park for our 4th annual Ability Quest: Run, Walk, Stroll or Roll!  Event includes a 2 mile fun run or 1 mile walk with registration opening at 7 AM and the walk/run starting at 8 a.m.

All proceeds from Ability Quest will help fund medical rehabilitation and employment services for children and adults who have had a serious illness or injury resulting in a significant loss of physical and/or cognitive abilities.

Volunteers are still needed!  For additional details on the event and to register online or by phone, go to www.rehabkc.org or call 816-751-7901.

June 10, 2012

7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Berkley Riverfront Park

(River Market Area)

Kansas City, MO

Runner/Walker Registration Fees

 Age 16 and older - $25

Age 5 to 15 - $15

Under age 5 - FREE

*Participants 5 and older will receive an event t-shirt. 

Man Gets Second Chance at RIKC and RiteMade

Ten years ago Henry Johnson sustained a gunshot wound to the head leaving him with limited mobility in his left hand and foot and low vision in his left eye. Upon recovery, he was unsuccessful in obtaining employment. Henry was discouraged, facing transportation barriers, and frustrated that employers did not understand his disability. When he came to RIKC, our job coaches gave him evaluations to better understand his abilities and strengths; he was then placed in supported employment at RiteMade in August 2011. Henry has come a long way since then. When he first started, he did not talk much to other employees and was unable to use his left hand.  Linda Wood, Employment Training Services Manager at RIKC, challenged Henry to use his left hand more often while at work. Today, he is able to do his job with both hands and management sees improvement in him daily - interacting with others and taking initiative to build on his strength and mobility. Henry is very thankful to be employed at RiteMade. "Two thumbs up to Linda. She is very helpful, understanding and informative," says Henry as he explains why he finds the environment at RiteMade pleasant to work in.

There is a long standing history between RIKC and RiteMade. Henry is just one of hundreds of RIKC program participants to be placed in supported employment at RiteMade over the last 21 years. Linda Wood has been on site with them since the beginning to 

oversee our program participants. Currently, she has six individuals from RIKC and many of which have aspirations to move into competitive employment in the future. RiteMade can be seen as a stepping stone for participants to learn or relearn job skills and appropriate social interaction. RiteMade prints and packages receipt paper for a variety of national companies. Specifically, our program participants, such as Henry, shrink wrap and package the rolls of paper at the end of production.

play and learn near RIKC!

Festivities will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3700 Woodland Avenue in James Nutter Park.  Activities include face painting, free refreshments, giveaways, and, of course, time to play on the new playground!

For more information, please click here.