LINC Caring Communities are vital hubs for healthy schools

By Sara Wiercinski

Last month marked the passing of Bert Berkley, Kansas City business leader and founder of the Local Investment Commission (LINC). He and other Kansas Citians dreamed up an organization that would give local communities better access to state resources, along with a stronger say in how funds are spent.

In the mid 1990’s, when Kansas City Public Schools (then Kansas City Missouri School District) lost funding for before- and after-care services, the little-known nonprofit called LINC stepped in to fill the need.

Today, LINC is a metropolitan-wide force with 44 Caring Communities sites housed within public schools. Before- and after-school care is the most well-known service, yet only one of the many free LINC resources for families.

Shaniece Garlington was a LINC site coordinator for a combined 16 years, first at Grandview’s Conn-West Elementary School then Martin City K-8 School. 

“Site coordinators wear many hats,” said Garlington. “You’re mom, an advocate, community organizer, mentor, event planner. We start by building relationships with the children. Then that creates safe spaces for families. Then we can meet them on a whole new level.” 

Site coordinators serve as a personal resource to families, a one-stop access point for a variety of free programs including job training, rent assistance and food distribution. 

Each LINC school site opens at 7 am and lasts until the morning arrival bell, then resumes after school dismissal and runs until 6 pm. The additional windows of care provide families with the opportunity to work and more flexibility in daily schedules.

“LINC is wonderful, it’s a lifesaving program,” said Neeco Sims, whose children and grandchildren attend Irving Elementary and Hickman Mills Middle. “It gives me time to focus while my kids are productive. They can do their homework, have all kinds of activities, and learn things like coping skills, which help them when they get home.”

LINC programs extend the learning day by plugging into local organizations to bring programs into schools. This model provides experiences that children may not otherwise have. Local partners include Urban Tech, Mad Science and Kansas City Community Gardens for STEM programs; Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Young Audiences, and Girls on the Run.

LINC engages smaller local providers for fitness activities, including Mindful Movement and Fitness Wherever.

The longstanding LINC Chess program teaches children the game, with chances to play against their peers and learn strategy. Chess instructors describe many benefits, including increased focus and improved academic performance. This year LINC will host five free chess tournaments, open to all children, including an event exclusively for young female players.

Before- and after- school activities evolve based on local needs. New for this school year, LINC will partner with Ossco Bolton, former gang member turned gun-violence prevention activist, to offer in-school programming. 

Jeff Hill, Chief Operations Officer at LINC, says the organization hopes to make youth sports more accessible. Last year LINC named its first ever Athletics Director, one part of the new strategy to provide after-school team sports along with afforadable skills camps outside of program hours. 

Total before- and after-school care enrollment for the fall is approaching 8,000 children, which is up from last year. Hill says they expect to start the school year with no waitlists–which had been in effect at some schools in recent years due to the post pandemic labor shortage.

“We acutely felt our waitlisted families’ pain during that time,” said Hill.

LINC pumped up efforts to recruit staff who are passionate about working with kids. They hosted a series of summer job fairs, including one in July at the CommunityAmerica Access Center on Blue Ridge Road.

Within the Telegraph’s coverage area– which includes Center School District, Hickman Mills, Grandview and the south parts of Kansas City Public Schools–there is a LINC Caring Communities site at 26 schools–mostly elementary, though some middle, high, and early childhood education centers.

Bryan Geddes has been a site coordinator in the Hickman Mills School District for 15 years. He explained that LINC’s success is simple: “We help kids learn to become great citizens. We help families navigate what’s available. We help them find their own voices. That’s where the power lies.”

LINC is primarily funded through state revenues. It is also supported through grants, foundations and private individuals. Before- and after-school care programs cost nothing to attend. 

Enrollment is still open for students. LINC is still hiring part-time staff at select school sites. Learn more at kclinc.org.