Success Stories
10 Aug Genesis Promise Academy Receives $50,829 Grant from Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund
Genesis Promise Academy recently received a grant for $50,829 from the Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund to expand behavioral health programs and staff training, resulting in more students receiving high-quality counseling services. The Counseling Program’s services are family focused, person centered, culturally responsive, and trauma informed. The goal is for students to be able to succeed academically and have healthy, productive, happy lives. Additional funds for counseling services will improve and expand existing services so that more students are able to get the help they need to heal from trauma and succeed academically and socially.
09 Aug The YMCA of Greater Kansas City Receives $150,000 Grant from the Hearst Foundation
The YMCA of Greater Kansas City recently received a grant for $150,000 from the Hearst Foundation to support the construction of the Downtown Y/Kirk Family Community Center, providing 8,000 individuals in downtown Kansas City with health and wellness programs and services, including community-integrated health care provided by a major medical partner. The YMCA of Greater Kansas City will construct the Downtown Y/Kirk Family Community Center (“Downtown Y”). It will offer state-of-the-art wellness facilities, a natatorium, a teaching kitchen, a lobby/community commons and intergenerational spaces, and space dedicated for a major medical partner.
08 Aug Powell Gardens Receives $100,000 Grant from Louetta M. Cowden Foundation
Powell Gardens was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the Louetta M. Cowden Foundation for construction of a new Entrance Garden and turnout lane along U.S. Highway 50. In addition to construction of a gateway and garden, the entrance will be moved toward the top of a hill for greater visibility and safety. Powell Gardens seeks to create a first impression of the gardens that more accurately depicts the stunning gardens within the gates. As a result, the Entrance Garden will improve the experience of its current audience and attract new visitors due to greater highway visibility.
06 Aug Metro Lutheran Ministry (MLM) Receives $50,000 Grant from the Kansas City Missouri Emergency Services Grant
Metro Lutheran Ministry was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Kansas City Missouri Emergency Services Grant to support participants maintaining housing for a period of 1 or more years without incident of homelessness. MLM’s Homelessness Prevention portion of the Family Empowerment Continuum program will include: 1) security deposits, monthly rent and utility payments; 2) homelessness prevention services (housing search and placement, assessment of housing barriers and needs and preferences, development of a housing action plan, owner negotiation, assistance with rental applications and understanding leases, assessment of housing for ESGP compliance, assistance with utilities, moving arrangements, tenant counseling); and 3) housing stability case management.
05 Aug KidsTLC Receives $50,000 Grant from John & Effie Speas Foundation
KidsTLC’s Autism Services Program was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the John & Effie Speas Foundation to to support the installation of a new sensory friendly inclusive playground. The children we serve are those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other related developmental disabilities. Through John and Effie Speas grant funding, KidsTLC will purchase and install a high-quality sensory playground directly outside of the Kelly Wellness Center that will include fine motor, gross motor, tactile, and visual inputs. Sensory playgrounds encourage exploration and discovery and provide a positive experience for those seeking sensory stimulation. This equipment helps children develop problem solving skills, express emotion, promotes empathy, instills lasting confidence, and fosters confidence through interactive play. The American Academy of Pediatrics states recess is a crucial and necessary component of a child’s development, offering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical benefits.
04 Aug Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy (Girls Prep) Receives $1,000,000 Grant from SchoolSmartKC
Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy (Girls Prep) was recently awarded a $1,000,000 grant from SchoolSmartKC to build capacity for standards-aligned, research-based instruction in its leaders and teachers. Girls Prep will use grant funds to support three key goals. First, Girls Prep will adopt research-based, Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-aligned curricula. Second, Girls Prep will use those curricula to develop aligned CK and PCK in all staff. Finally, staff will use their curriculum and developmental experiences to increase high-need students’ achievement in terms of growth and proficiency, thus addressing the achievement gap for students within KCPS boundaries.
02 Aug Kansas City Arts Institute (KCAI) Receives $65,000 Grant from Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts
Kansas City Arts Institute (KCAI) recently received a grant for $65,000 from the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts to provide general operating support for their programming. This gift from the Richard J. Stern Foundation will support KCAI’s annual fund, which finances 9% of the College’s annual operating budget and addresses the funding gap between student tuition and actual costs. Vital programs supported by this fund include the B.F.A. in Ceramics, the Current Perspectives Lecture Series, and collaborations with visiting and residential artists through KCAI’s Crossroads Gallery. Funding from the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts will help the College advance its reputation of quality arts education and community programming.
01 Aug Genesis Promise Academy Receives $153,000 Grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Genesis Promise Academy recently received a grant for $153,000 from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City (now the Health Forward Foundation) to support the Genesis Counseling Program. Genesis School will utilize funding from the Health Care Foundation to continue the Genesis Counseling Program which provides school-based individual, group, and psycho-educational group therapy to students. The goal of the program is to help children cope more effectively with the impact of trauma and psychosocial stressors at home and in the community. Current program and support partial salaries of three counselors, Director of Counseling, and the Family Resource Specialist. Funding will also be utilized for equipment and supplies to support direct therapeutic services, as well as training for staff in the areas of cultural competency, trauma informed care, and program development.