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Greetings!
This is the weekly report to the LINC Commission for the week of May 11, 2012. Our board is deeply interested in our work and wanted to learn about - and share with others - the great things LINC is helping to accomplish. |
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New York publisher donates 10,000 books to Kansas City schools
LINC has received $175,000 in donated children's books to distribute to every second- and third-grade studentfour Kansas City, Mo. school districts - Kansas City, Hickman Mills, Center and Grandview.
The donation of the books was made by Roger Rosen, president and CEO of Rosen Publishing, Inc.
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(L-R) Kansas City School Board President Airick Leonard West, Mo. Rep. Jason Holsman, CEO of Rosen Publishing Roger Rosen, and Kansas City Mayor Sly James look over a sample of books donated by Rosen Publishing.
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"Today's announcement is the first in a series of significant investments Rosen Publishing will make in communities across the country to help change the literacy landscape by increasing the number of books a child owns and at times providing the first book in that child's home collection," said Rosen.
"Studies have shown that book ownership can not only foster a life-long love of reading but also increase significantly the educational outcomes for children," added Rosen.
Donation of the books was publicly acknowledged by Kansas City Mayor Sly James at an event held at the Kansas City Central Library. The value of book donation is $175,000.
The mayor is actively encouraging the whole community to focus on helping children read at grade level. Mayor James's Turn the Page KC initiative will promote reading during the summer to help prevent summer learning loss.
Mr. Rosen acknowledged Mo. State Rep. Jason Holsman for his role in co-developing the concept for the book donation and for connecting the partners from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
LINC will distribute the books before school is out and will also include information about summer reading programs available at the Kansas City Public Library and the Mid-Continent Public Library. Both library systems have strong summer reading programs.
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Second episode of success stories released on the LINCWorks website
 | | LINCWorks Stories of Success - Ep. 2 |
A second episode of success stories from the LINCWorks initiative has been produced by LINC and can be viewed on the LINCWorks website, www.lincworks.org
The video tells the stories of how LINCWorks participants Genesha, Karen, Reva and Vanessa overcame adversity to realize their goals with the help of LINCWorks programs. Their stories were shared at the April LINC Commission meeting.
LINCWorks helps individuals approved for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) find a path to skills and work.
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Independence LINC sites organize community job fair
LINC Caring Communities sites in the city of Independence are organizing a community job fair in May.
The job fair will be held Monday, May 14, 5-8 pm, at Randall Elementary School, 509 N. Jennings Rd., Independence, Mo. 64050.
The event is free and open to the community.
Adecco Staffing Agency is participating in the event and will hold sessions on resume writing, how to prepare for a job interview, and interviewing tips.
Several local and regional employers will provide information on job opportunities. Names of participating employers will be added to the website www.kclinc.org/jobfair as they are confirmed.
Randall is located in northeast Independence in the Independence School District.
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LINC Chess program continues to grow
The LINC Chess program held its largest-ever tournament on Saturday, May 5, hosting 149 students from across the metro area at Hickman Mills Junior High School.
This tournament tops the most recent tournament held at Van Horn High School in Independence, which was attended by 119 players.
LINC continues to support development and expansion of chess as a way to learn to think strategically and develop critical thinking.
Photos from the tournament are on the LINC Chess Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LINCchess
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International visitors look to LINC to improve government services delivery
Two groups of foreign visitors visited Kansas City recently to learn how LINC works as a community intermediary to improve the delivery of government services to local children, families and neighborhoods.
On May 7 six visitors from South Korea met with LINC founder Bert Berkley and chairman Landon Rowland, as well as LINC staff, to learn about the role of civic organizations in community building. The visitors represented local and national organizations and government agencies.
Last month journalist and youth policy expert René Clarijs of the Netherlands spent over a week meeting with LINC staff and volunteers. Clarijs visited LINC as part of a larger Dutch delegation in 2004 and returned in April for an in-depth look at LINC's work in the community.
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LINC presents on social media to Mo. Dept. of Mental Health
 In April, LINC staff traveled to Jefferson City to discuss social media with the Mo. Dept. of Mental Health and how social media relates to the non-profit and government sectors.
Platforms included Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest using examples from local organizations the Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, and Kansas City Police Department.
The presentation highlighted how social media, when used thoughtfully, can increase awareness and involvement in an organization or initiative.
The presentation can be viewed www.kclinc.org
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Health fair provides local resources, opportunities for exercise
A health fair held Saturday, May 5, in Hickman Mills provided local health resources, screenings, and information to members of the community.
Different activities at the event promoted a healthy lifestyle. Active Living KC hosted a 1.2-mile wellness walk around the school and neighborhood, and free aerobics and Zumba classes were offered throughout the day.
This is the second year for the event, which was created after a LINC Site Council assessed the community and found that many families had lost jobs or health insurance. This year it was held at Hickman Mills Junior High School, a LINC Caring Communities site.
All services and information at the fair were provided to the public for free.
LINC sponsored the event with the support of many community partners.
LINC also participated in the April 28 Research Foundation Community Block Party and Health Fair, which provided health information and screenings from over 90 different vendors.
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Tolbert Academy hosts Drill Team Day
Lee A. Tolbert Academy hosted the 7th annual Drill Team Day on Friday, May 4, in celebration of healthy, active students and organizations that make a difference in the lives of young people.
LINC supports drill teams as a fun and engaging way for young people to learn responsibility, organization and sportsmanship while living a healthy lifestyle.
Over 1,500 people attended the event. Thirteen of the teams participating in the exhibition were LINC drill or dance teams.
A video of the event is online at www.kclinc.org
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Contact Information
Brent Schondelmeyer, Director of Communications
phone: (816) 410-8350
email: bschonde@kclinc.org |
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