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Amethyst Place Preventing Multi-Generational Substance Use
Amethyst Place is a safe haven where mothers recovering from substance use can rebuild their lives and families. Through a holistic model that includes supportive housing, therapeutic care, and empowerment programs, Amethyst Place helps families break free from cycles of poverty, trauma, and addiction. At its core, the program offers not only stability—but hope, healing, and long-term transformation. At the center of Amethyst Place is the Supportive Housing Program, which provides 37 fully furnished apartments in a vibrant, close-knit community. Families are given a stable home for as long as they need, along with access to basic essentials like food, clothing, and household items. In 2023, Amethyst Place supported 163 women and children in reclaiming their lives through the safety and security of stable housing. Kansas City faces a severe housing shortage, with more than 64,000 units of affordable housing needed for low-income renters.
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ArtsTech Violence Prevention
ArtsTech has secured funding to upgrade and expand our technology offerings. Youth pod casting, 3-D printing, CAD, Graphic Design using industry standard software, and other new in-demand studio experiences will be available to engage at-risk youth. In addition, ArtsTech is exploring ways to use the gallery space for youth development, anti-violence and healthy lifestyles training, as well as events to support the larger community, including COMBAT-funded agencies and youth throughout Jackson County. ArtsTech is proposing a multipronged approach to reducing-eliminating violence and substance abuse among our most troubled, at-risk youth. Using the evidence-based techniques identified by the CDC, ArtsTech seeks to prevent violence and accompanying substance abuse by providing strength-based strategies of youth development.
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Black Archives: Art Resolution Tactics For Success
The Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City has long been a beacon for preserving and celebrating African American history, culture and community contributions. The Archives empowers residents with a deeper understanding of the Black experience in the Midwest and beyond. As part of its growing commitment to community wellness, the organization also offers culturally informed programs designed to address urgent social challenges. One of the most critical of these is the recent rise in youth violence. Between 2019 and 2023, Kansas City experienced a 58% increase in homicides involving children and teens ages 0 to 17. In response to this urgent crisis, the Black Archives developed Art Resolution Tactics for Success, a youth-focused initiative aimed at reducing violence by teaching non-violent conflict resolution through art, expression, and technology. The program is designed to meet young people where they are, giving them the tools and support to choose peace over violence.
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Bridge Youth Violence Prevention Program
The Bridge Leadership Academy (BLA) is a community-driven nonprofit based in South Kansas City, dedicated to equipping youth with the tools, mentorship, and leadership development they need to rise above adversity and lead lives of purpose. Through its Youth Violence Prevention and Leadership Development Program (YVP-LDP), BLA works closely with the Hickman Mills School District to reduce incidents of violence—both physical and electronic—while boosting academic success, social-emotional growth, and student leadership. Operating in one of Jackson County’s COMBAT Hot Spot areas, the Bridge serves youth ages 12–17 in grades 6–11, where students and families often face significant economic and social challenges. The YVP-LDP is designed to address the root causes of youth violence while promoting academic achievement and personal development. Its ultimate goal is to create a multi-layered support system that reduces aggressive behaviors.
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Calvary Community Teen Safe Spaces & Outreach
Kansas City faces significant challenges related to violence, impacting its youth. The urban core experiences high levels of violence and homicides, which contribute to serious health disparities and reduce life expectancy. This ongoing violence creates an environment of trauma, limiting safe spaces for youth to socialize and grow, and posing a critical public health and equity issue. The Calvary Community Outreach Network (CCON) has developed a comprehensive Teen Safe Spaces and Outreach Program designed to provide safe, supportive environments for at-risk youth. The program partners with local churches to establish Safe Spaces during non-school hours. These spaces offer mental health interventions, socio-emotional learning opportunities, and positive peer engagement in neighborhoods that otherwise have limited resources. The program aims to reduce youth exposure to violence, improve mental wellness, and empower teens with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate challenges.
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Citizens Of The World: Building Conflict Resolution Skills
Citizens of the World – Kansas City is dedicated to supporting students from pre-K through eighth grade by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge for success both inside and outside the classroom. A key focus of this program is to teach students how to mediate conflicts using peaceful, nonviolent strategies. Through this work, the school fosters a safe and supportive learning environment where young people can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The 2023-2024 behavior data from Citizens of the World reveals a troubling trend: students were involved in 235 reported acts of aggression. These incidents include bullying and harassment, physical fights between students, and aggression directed toward both peers and adults. Such behavior reflects a broader challenge faced by the school community. Many students at Citizens live in a neighborhood identified as a violent crime hotspot. This environment exposes them to trauma and frequent experiences of violence.
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Community Assistance Council
Since 1976, the Community Assistance Council (CAC) has been a vital resource for low-income families in South Kansas City, providing essential services that promote health, stability, and self-sufficiency. Serving approximately 80,000 residents in the Hickman Mills, Center, and Kansas City portions of the Grandview School Districts, CAC offers emergency rent and utility assistance to prevent homelessness, food distribution to combat food insecurity, diapers and hygiene products, and “next steps” case management designed to help families overcome challenges and build stronger futures. CAC operates in a part of the metro area marked by significant economic and social challenges. Many neighborhoods within its service area display classic signs of urban distress. The population served by CAC is predominantly low-income and underserved.
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Community LINC
CLINC offers comprehensive housing and supportive services aimed at increasing access to safe, affordable housing and critical resources for low-income households experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes. The program provides connections to housing—both on-site and throughout the community—emergency assistance with rent and utilities, prevention and diversion services, case management, and ongoing supportive services designed to promote long-term stability. Affordable housing is increasingly out of reach for many Kansas City residents. Recent data highlights a rapidly rising rental market: Missouri experienced the highest rent increase nationwide, with median rents jumping more than 13% between January 2023 and January 2024. Within the Kansas City metro area, rents rose 7.4%, pushing the median monthly rent to $1,644—a figure unaffordable for many low- and middle-income households.
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Comprehensive Mental Health PUSH
The PUSH diversion program aims to provide prevention and early intervention to students facing suspension, enhancing their resilience to substance use and violence. It partners with schools to offer alternatives to out-of-school time, addressing underlying issues through programs like Youth Court. Despite strides in trauma-informed practices, there's still a need for early interventions to prevent repeat behaviors. Out-of-school suspensions increase dropout risks and societal costs, highlighting the program's goal to assess and support at-risk youth, aiming to improve academic outcomes and community well-being.
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Crossroads Charter Schools Restorative Justice
Crossroads Charter Schools is committed to creating a positive educational environment that fosters social, emotional and academic growth for all students. Through dedicated Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Restorative Justice Coordinators, the district employs trauma-informed strategies to address student behavior, build strong school culture and promote equity across its schools. These efforts aim to reduce suspensions and disciplinary removals, improve student engagement, and support the whole child. At the heart of Crossroads’ approach are BIST (Building Intervention Support Team) and SEL strategies, which are continuously adapted based on behavior data. The SEL Coordinator analyzes student behavior trends, providing targeted interventions to help students manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and develop interpersonal skills. By consulting with staff, parents, and community partners, the SEL team enhances support networks for students both inside and outside the classroom.
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DeLaSalle Education Center Block37
DeLaSalle's Block37 program offers 220 at-risk high school students a safe space, positive adult role models and access to activities that promote positive social, emotional and educational outcomes for students. Our program gives students the protective factors they need to mitigate risky behaviors (e.g. violence,drug-alcohol use, cyber-bullying, etc.) and strengthens their engagement in school. Through internships provided on-site at DeLaSalle Education Center (DeLaSalle) and partner organizations, teens gain real work experience and learn new skills while earning an hourly stipend. Focus areas are arts; science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM); sports; communication; and entrepreneurship.
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EarlystART Prevention Program
EarlystART is Kansas City’s premier arts-infused early childhood education provider, offering high-quality learning experiences for children ages six weeks to five years old. With a mission to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond, EarlystART integrates the arts into every aspect of its programming—fostering curiosity, confidence, and creativity from the very start. More than just a preschool, EarlystART is a comprehensive child and family support system. The organization delivers a well-rounded early education experience that includes academics, arts, nutrition, health services, mental health and disabilities support, and parent engagement. The goal is simple yet powerful: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, regardless of zip code or income level.
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Eastern Jackson County Youth Court
The Eastern Jackson County Youth Court (EJCYC) offers a vital intervention program addressing juvenile delinquency through a peer-led, restorative justice model. Located within the Blue Springs School District building, EJCYC serves youth ages 7 to 18 who have exhibited risky behaviors such as violence, drug use, and status offenses including truancy and curfew violations. The court meets monthly for adjudication hearings overseen by a Municipal Court Judge, where trained youth volunteers (ages 13-18) participate alongside adult mentors to hold their peers accountable in a supportive environment. EJCYC is nationally recognized as a promising juvenile prevention program by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and is one of Missouri’s longest-running peer courts. This model emphasizes positive peer pressure, leadership development, and accountability through restorative sanctions.
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FosterAdopt Connect Youth Project
Community Connections Youth Thrive (CCYT) is a comprehensive program offered by FosterAdopt Connect, designed to meet the complex needs of youth aging out of the foster care system in Jackson County, Missouri. Building on the former Community Connections Youth Project, CCYT provides consistent adult guidance through dedicated specialists who help youth access vital resources including stable housing, education, and employment opportunities. CCYT goes beyond traditional support by offering practical services such as driving lessons to increase mobility and independence, as well as legal assistance to help youth understand and protect their rights. This holistic approach equips young adults with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenges of transitioning to adulthood successfully. In Jackson County, approximately 684 youth aged out of foster care in 2022 without permanent placements, facing significant barriers to independence.
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Front Porch Alliance: Youth Journeys
Youth violence is a widespread public health concern that affects children and teens. Defined as the intentional use of physical force to harm or threaten others, youth violence can take many forms—from bullying and physical fights to more serious acts like assault and homicide. This violence not only causes immediate harm but also contributes to long-term challenges by increasing the risk of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that impact mental and emotional well-being. Youth Journeys is a community-based program offered by Front Porch that provides safe, supportive, and engaging after-school and summer activities for youth. This program is designed specifically for young people facing the complex challenges that often lead to involvement with violence, substance use, and mental health struggles. By addressing these risks through prevention, education, and positive relationships, Youth Journeys helps youth build resilience and develop the skills they need to thrive.
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Full Employment Council Career SOS
The Kansas City Workforce Development Board, in partnership with the Full Employment Council (FEC), is committed to strengthening job training, employment and support services through the innovative Career Systems of Support (Career SOS) initiative. This comprehensive program leverages collaboration, technology and targeted training to help individuals overcome barriers and build sustainable careers in high-demand fields. A central feature of Career SOS is the SOS Partnership Portal, an exclusive online referral platform that streamlines connections between COMBAT-funded agencies and FEC services. This portal enables partner agencies to refer job-ready individuals who meet specific criteria for career training and employment support. Importantly, the portal also allows referrals of individuals within the client’s broader social network, expanding the reach of workforce services.
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Girl Scouts Outreach Program
Over 27% of the girls served by Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas & Northwest Missouri (GSKSMO) live in low or moderately low-income households. As the number of girls living in poverty continues to rise, GSKSMO has adapted its programs to address barriers that prevent many girls and their families from fully participating in Girl Scouts. Through a range of supports—from financial assistance for membership dues and supplies to troop leadership by trained staff, volunteers, and teachers—GSKSMO strives to make Girl Scouts accessible and impactful for all girls, especially those from underserved communities. Girl Scouts provides exactly a safe, nurturing and structured environment where girls can connect with peers who share similar experiences and feelings. This sense of belonging and peer support is essential to helping girls manage emotional challenges and grow stronger mentally and socially.
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Heart of America Council BSA Be Prepared
Kansas City faces one of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation. According to Neighborhood Scout, residents face a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. For the city’s children, these statistics are more than numbers—they represent the everyday reality of walking to school, playing outside, or navigating peer pressure in an increasingly digital world. In response, this community-based initiative is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: our children deserve better. The program brings together youth, families and key institutional partners to promote crime prevention, drug education, digital safety, and abuse awareness—equipping young people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead safer, healthier lives. The mission of this program is to educate, empower, and protect youth in Kansas City by addressing critical safety issues through early prevention and family engagement.
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High Aspirations
High Aspirations is a vibrant mentoring program dedicated to supporting African American males ages 8 to 18 living in Kansas City’s urban core. Operating every Saturday, High Aspirations provides structured and engaging sessions designed to build leadership skills, self-confidence, and positive community involvement. The program actively addresses educational disparities, economic challenges, and community safety concerns facing Black youth in the area. Each Saturday, with guidance from a program specialist, interns, a Concerned Mothers Group, mentors, and community volunteers, High Aspirations hosts two one-hour sessions serving more than 70 boys per session. The sessions combine interactive and stimulating activities including:
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Independence Youth Court Peer Diversion
The Independence Youth Court (IYC) serves as a vital community intervention program located in the City of Independence municipal building. Its office and courtroom provide a central hub where juvenile clients, families, and volunteers come together to address risky behaviors through a peer-driven, restorative justice model. At the Independence Youth Court office, juveniles and their parents attend intake meetings to begin the process of diversion and rehabilitation. Families can conveniently drop off or pick up court-required documents such as community service forms, counseling or treatment verifications, and educational projects. The actual court hearings and adjudications are held in the Independence Municipal Courtroom, with bi-monthly evening sessions directed by dedicated student volunteers alongside adult mentors, all supervised by the Municipal Court Judge.
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Ivanhoe Safety & Resilience Initiative
Ivanhoe is committed to creating a safer, thriving neighborhood by partnering with community-based organizations, small businesses, and local stakeholders to provide vital resources and support. Serving the Ivanhoe community and its neighboring areas, Ivanhoe addresses critical gaps in social and city-wide services to promote social cohesion, foster healthy lifestyles, and improve key social determinants of health—especially those factors that contribute to violence. At the heart of Ivanhoe’s efforts is the “Healing While We Grow” program, a comprehensive violence prevention initiative focused on tackling the root causes of violence in the community. These root causes, often called social determinants of health, include physical and mental health challenges, food insecurity, lack of educational opportunities, and social isolation. By addressing these underlying issues, Ivanhoe seeks to reduce risk factors that lead to criminal and violent behavior among youth and adults.
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Jackson County CASA
Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is dedicated to ensuring children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a strong, compassionate voice in Family Court. CASA’s mission centers on two critical goals: first, to secure safe and permanent homes for these vulnerable children, and second, to advocate for their access to medical, educational and therapeutic resources throughout their time under court jurisdiction. Currently serving about 50% of all children in care, Jackson County CASA is committed to expanding its reach to serve 100% of children in court custody. This scaling up reflects a vital response to the increasing number of children affected by abuse, neglect, and parental substance use in Jackson County. In 2023 alone, Family Court served over 2,000 children facing these challenges, with more than half of those cases involving parents struggling with substance use disorders. Each child supported by CASA benefits from a personalized team of advocates.
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Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey’s AileyCamp and AileyCamp The Group stand as vibrant examples of how arts education can drive positive change. By combining dance, social-emotional learning, mental health support, and violence prevention, these programs provide youth with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the challenges of adolescence and beyond. Through creativity, connection, and empowerment, KCFAA helps youth transform adversity into opportunity—building stronger individuals and communities for generations to come. AileyCamp is a signature summer program held at Paseo Academy for Fine and Performing Arts. Designed for under-resourced youth ages 11 to 14, AileyCamp offers a unique blend of dance instruction and positive youth development that nurtures creativity while building essential life skills. Since its founding in 1989, AileyCamp has become a nationally recognized model for arts-based empowerment, serving youth in multiple cities across the country.
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Kansas City Youth Court
The Kansas City Youth Court (KCYC) is a pioneering diversion program that offers at-risk youth a positive and constructive alternative to traditional juvenile justice proceedings. The program focuses on addressing disruptive behaviors while promoting accountability, personal growth, and better decision-making. KCYC works closely with local agencies to receive referrals for youth exhibiting troubling behavior but who may not require formal court prosecution. These referrals are carefully reviewed, and cases are prepared for Youth Court hearings, which take place 2 to 3 times monthly. During these sessions, youth are given an opportunity to resolve their issues by completing meaningful sanctions such as community service hours, writing reflective essays or creating educational videos, and attending classes that relate specifically to their offense. This approach allows young people to take responsibility in a supportive environment, emphasizing rehabilitation rather than punishment.
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KC Municipal Court Truancy Intervention
The Truancy Intervention Program works closely with the Kansas City Municipal Court to provide case management and outreach services to children and families involved in Truancy Court. Directed by the presiding judge, this program aims to identify and address the root causes of truancy among children ages 7 to 17, helping them overcome barriers to regular school attendance. Ultimately, the goal is to improve both school attendance and academic performance through coordinated support and community referrals. Each year, approximately 300 students appear in Kansas City’s Truancy Court due to challenges attending school consistently. While truancy is often seen as a disciplinary issue, the program recognizes that underlying factors frequently contribute to these attendance problems. These can include bullying, exposure to gang activity, difficult family situations, mental health concerns, and substance use.
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MINDDRIVE Collaborative Program
MINDDRIVE offers project-based, experiential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs designed specifically for students from low-income families living in under-resourced neighborhoods of Kansas City. By combining practical, hands-on learning with real-world applications, MINDDRIVE exposes young people to exciting fields such as metal fabrication, electric vehicle systems, automotive steering and braking design, robotics, and automotive engineering. These courses are delivered in a supportive environment by adult volunteer mentors and professional staff facilitators. Many of the students who participate in MINDDRIVE face risk factors that affect their educational success and personal growth. These challenges include low school engagement and high truancy rates, persistent poverty, trauma exposure, low parental education levels, and high neighborhood crime and violence. The majority of MINDDRIVE participants come from families experiencing economic hardship.
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Operation Breakthrough Opportunity Internships
Operation Breakthrough’s Ignition Lab is a dynamic, safe, and supportive program providing meaningful before- and after-school, as well as summer activities for teens living in Kansas City. This initiative addresses the critical need to protect youth from the negative influences of the streets during times when they are most vulnerable and unsupervised. By offering educational and goal-oriented programming, Ignition Lab helps teens build skills and confidence that set them on a path toward success. The Opportunity Internship program, an integral part of Ignition Lab, provides a valuable springboard for students from economically challenged and often violent neighborhoods. Through social-emotional learning and peer mentoring, this program helps participants develop the interpersonal skills and resilience needed to avoid aggressive behaviors, increase school attendance, and improve family relationships. Studies have shown that such programs can reduce aggression by up to 32%.
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reStart Prevention
reStart, Inc. provides vital services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. Operating from its main shelter at 918 9th Street, reStart serves a diverse population, including individuals, families and unaccompanied youth. The organization’s programs span emergency shelter, youth network services, street outreach, transitional housing. Central to reStart’s mission is the Substance Use Prevention Program, which delivers prevention activities across various programs to support clients of all ages. Homelessness is a deeply destabilizing experience that affects the health, safety, and well-being of adults, youth, and children. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), homelessness nationwide has been rising steadily since 2017, with a 6% overall increase. In 2023. Kansas City alone counts more than 2,200 individuals without shelter each night, and public schools report over 1,200 youth without stable housing.
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Rose Brooks Project SAFE
Project SAFE is Rose Brooks Center's school-based violence prevention program for children in Jackson County, reaching youth of all ages—from preschool through high school senior year. Project SAFE carries out the mission to end the cycle of domestic violence by reaching at-risk youth in grades pre-K through 12th before they make the life choices that can reproduce the cycle of violence. Project SAFE helps students identify and develop resiliency tools and emotional management skills necessary to build safety awareness, ultimately helping youth avoid future violence perpetration or victimization and other unhealthy, unsafe life experiences.
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Urban Neighborhood Initiative
The Urban Neighborhood Initiative (UNI) serves as a vital force for transformation within a two-square-mile area of Kansas City’s urban core—bounded by Troost Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Truman Road, and 52nd Street. Home to more than 45,000 residents across ten neighborhoods, this area faces deeply entrenched socioeconomic challenges rooted in a legacy of redlining, underinvestment, and systemic inequity. The UNI-KC Block Connector Program was created to address these challenges by promoting community safety, health, and connection. Through regular events, safety initiatives, and neighborhood meetings, the program fosters trust, builds relationships, and empowers residents to be active partners in the renewal of their communities.
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Urban Ranger Corps
The Urban Renaissance Center (URC) is committed to supporting young men as they navigate the complex path from adolescence to adulthood. Grounded in research and driven by compassion, the URC Youth Empowerment Program offers support to boys beginning in 6th grade and continuing through high school. The goal is to foster academic achievement, emotional resilience, healthy relationship, and community engagement. For many young men of color, the journey to adulthood is filled with unique challenges. Growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods, attending schools that lack adequate support, and enduring racial bias in academic and legal systems can have lasting effects on a young man’s potential. The URC Youth Empowerment Program was developed to provide a counterbalance to the negative influences and systemic barriers facing young men in the urban core. URC focuses on early intervention, mentorship, emotional support, academic enrichment and real-world preparation.
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WeCode KC
WeCode KC is addressing a critical challenge: the persistent lack of diversity in the technology sector. Despite rapid growth in the tech industry, opportunities for Black and Brown individuals remain limited due to longstanding economic and educational disparities. WeCode KC is working to change that narrative—empowering youth from underserved communities with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in high-demand technology careers. WeCode KC was founded with direct input from the communities it serves. Community surveys and assessments conducted by the organization revealed that 70% of participants come from households earning below the poverty line. WeCode KC exists to bridge the opportunity gap by providing youth from Black and Brown communities with free or low-cost access to high-quality, hands-on technology education. By removing financial and systemic barriers, WeCode KC is helping to diversify Kansas City’s tech workforce while lifting families out of poverty.
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Whatsoever Community Center Youth Services
Whatsoever Community Center is committed to changing the narrative for youth and young adults growing up in one of Kansas City’s most underserved neighborhoods. For generations, young people in this community have been surrounded by risk factors such as gang involvement, drug and alcohol abuse, negative peer influence, and chronic exposure to violence. The Whatsoever Youth Program was created to disrupt this cycle—offering safe spaces, caring mentors, and opportunities for youth to grow into strong, capable, and confident adults. For many youth and young adults near Whatsoever, dangerous behavior and social instability have become a normalized part of everyday life. Growing up in environments where antisocial behavior is common, where few positive adult role models are present, and where educational achievement is often out of reach, these young people face steep uphill battles.
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Youth Ambassadors
Youth Ambassadors (YA) is a dynamic program serving Greater Kansas City youth ages 14 to 18. Grounded in strengths-based principles, YA combines social-emotional learning, trauma healing, and violence prevention to help young people overcome significant challenges and become leaders in their communities. By providing specialized training in life skills, job readiness, health, entrepreneurship, community development, and creative expression, YA equips youth to thrive both personally and professionally. Mental health services are embedded into the program, offering free, onsite therapy as a vital support. Youth in Jackson County’s urban neighborhoods face deep and persistent hardships. These include poverty, community violence, food insecurity, underfunded infrastructure, and high rates of unemployment and incarceration within families. These conditions create an environment where youth are exposed to trauma and limited access to the support they need.
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Youth Guidance BAM & WOW
BAM and WOW are vital counseling programs serving approximately 105 students each week in Kansas City schools. These programs provide weekly group counseling sessions, known as “Circles,” alongside individual support, crisis intervention, and drop-in check-ins. Beyond working directly with students, BAM and WOW counselors collaborate closely with teachers, school staff, and administrators to build a strong, student-centered support network that helps young people thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Many young people face significant obstacles outside school that directly impact their ability to succeed academically and socially. Poverty, exposure to trauma, and difficulties regulating emotions or behavior are common barriers for the youth BAM and WOW serve. These factors can lead to falling behind in school, engaging in risky behaviors, or even dropping out entirely.
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Violence Prevention Programs