• Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council - www.incthrives.org
  The Mission of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is building clean, beautiful, safe thriving neighborhoods for healthy families and youth through trusting, cooperative relationships. The Vision of the organization is Thriving neighborhoods in harmony. To realize the Mission and Vision of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council, the organization is implementing a strategic plan to beautify the neighborhood, to reduce crime, to promote youth development, and to foster economic development. I currently serve as treasurer of the board of directors, as Chair of the Beautification Committee, as Chair of the Administration & Finance Committee and as Chair of the Redevelopment and Urban Planning Committee.

• ReDiscover - www.rediscovermh.org
  For almost 35 years, ReDiscover has been providing community mental health and substance abuse services -- first as Southeast Jackson County Mental Health Center, then as Community Mental Health Center-South, most recently as Research Mental Health Services (as a part of the Health Midwest system), and now as ReDiscover. We serve more than 6000 people a year through our direct services, and thousands more through our community education services -- working with schools and other community agencies to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and childhood sexual abuse. I currently serve as a member of the board of directors.

• Simply Equine Assisted Therapy - www.simplyequine.org
  Simply Equine Assisted Therapy is a not-for-profit organization utilizing horses to influence people in their way of thinking and reacting. Horses -- large, unpredictable and sometimes intimidating just by their presence -- can provide a natural opportunity for people to overcome fear and self-confidence issues. Simply Equine exists to to facilitiate personal growth and learning through equestrian activities. I currently serve as vice-chair of the board of directors.

• LULAC National Education Service Center - www.lnesc.org
  In an effort to create lifelong learners and leaders within the Hispanic community, the League of United Latino American Citizen's National Education Service Centers strive to provide the highest quality educational opportunities possible. LNESC seeks to develop America’s future workforce by effectively preparing young people for the jobs of the new economy. I currently serve as a member of the local board of directors.

• stephanie waterman foundation - www.watermantennis.org
  The Stephanie Waterman Foundation works with disadvantaged inner city youth ages 7-14 to improve their physical, intellectual and social skills. Programming includes tennis lessons, regular tutoring and testing, and meeting with mentors. The purpose of these activities is to nurture the values of discipline, self improvement and emotional control. Youth are encouraged to enhance their tennis abilities while pursing collegiate opportunities. I currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors.

• Urban Society of Kansas City - www.urbansocietykc.org
  The Urban Society of Kansas City promotes excellence in several crucial areas for making a great city: urban design, architecture, effecient government and grassroots economic development. The organization promotes vigorous public debate on selected issues and undertakes special projects to better the city. Its members are dedicated to being informed concerning such issues and active in helping the city make strides, both large and small. I currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Executive Committee.

• Kansas City Young Friends of the Library - www.kclibrary.org
  Intended for young professionals, the purpose of The Young Friends of the Kansas City Public Library is to offer 'ownership' of the Library to the community, provide additional and diverse activities for Library customers and supporters, work with other Young Friends organizations in Kansas City and invest in future supporters and donors of the Library. I currently serve as vice-president of the board of directors.

• Morning Star Community Development Corporation
  Morning Star CDC is the development arm of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, a faith community that has served Kansas City's urban core for nearly 80 years. Morning Star CDC is currently working to develop housing opportunities for seniors and a youth and family life center at the troubled corner of 27th & Prospect. I currently serve as a member of the board of directors.

• university of missouri extension - www.extension.missouri.edu
  MU Extension is responsible for ensuring that research and resources from the University of Missouri system (UMKC, UM Rolla, MU etc) are allocated to benefit all Missourians. Extension performs this function by working closely with many branches of the University of Missouri system as well as by sponsoring many organizations that work in the community.

  As an elected representative of Jackson County's 1st District, I am committed to furthering Extension's mission of bringing the full research-based knowledge and resources of the University system to within reach of our community's residents. The citizens of Jackson County voted me into a second two year term on the Council. I currently serve as chair of the board of directors.

• Gordon Parks Elementary - www.gordonparks.org
  GORDON PARKS, a non-profit public charter school, was established to educate urban-core children. Gordon Parks, the famed African-American photographer, writer, poet, composer, painter and filmmaker gave his name to the school because he believed in its mission. Gordon Parks Elementary is a small family-like school for urban core children. It features first hand experiences, has a curriculum rich in art, music, and physical education. It strives to maintain, involve and strengthen its community of families. I served as a member of the Board of Governors.

• Kansas City, Missouri - www.kcmo.org
  
  
  • Public Improvements Advisory Committee - www.kcmo.org/PIAC/
    The Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) consists of 13 persons, two from each council district and a chairperson, appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The PIAC's primary function is to solicit citizen input and make recommendations regarding both the citywide and neighborhood portions of the capital budget. The PIAC holds a series of public hearings beginning in early summer. These hearings provide citizens with an opportunity to express their opinions, concerns and project requests regarding the forthcoming capital budget. This committee finishes its year by submitting its balanced five-year capital improvements program and neighborhood recommendations in late November. PIAC funds comprise 15-25% of KCMO's annual $1B budget (last year PIAC allocated over $220M); these funds come largely from a one cent sales tax for capital improvements. I served as a 3rd Council District appointee to the Public Improvements Advisory Committee.

  • Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund Board - www.kcmo.org/NTDF/
    The Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF) Program was designed to help local not-for-profit organizations for the specific purpose of promoting neighborhoods in Kansas City through cultural, social, ethnic, historic, educational and recreational activities. Additionally, the fund was established to help promote our city as a convention and tourist center. NTDF's annual allocating budget is near $2M; these funds are generated by collecting 10% of KCMO's convention and tourism tax. I served as a 3rd Council District appointee to the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund Board.

  • KCMO Mayor's Health Commission - www.kcmo.org/health/
    The Mayor's Health Commission was established as a means to have all the components that make up the KC Community Health System begin to work in concert with each other and direct citizens toward a set of common, well-defined health outcomes. The work of the Commission is divided amongst it's committees: Minority Health, Tobacco Prevention & Control, Health Planning & Assessment, and Women's and Infants Health. The committee members consist of community representatives. I served as a member of the Women and Infant's Health Committee and as a member of the Minority Health Committee.

• NAACP of Greater Kansas City - www.naacpkc.org
  The NAACP's principal objective is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority citizens of the United States and eliminate race prejudice. The NAACP seeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. This mission is accomplished by seeking the enactment and enforcement of federal, state and local laws securing civil rights, and by informing the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination. From school desegregation, fair housing, employment and voter registration, top health and equal economic opportunity, the NAACP is working successfully with allies of all races, plays a significant role in establishing legal precedents in order to improve the quality of life of America's downtrodden. I served as vice-chair of the Young Adult Committee.

• Kansas City Young Friends of the Symphony - www.kcsyfs.org
  The Young Friends of the Symphony is a social organization dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities to connect young professionals to the music, musicians and activities of the Kansas City Symphony. I served as a member of the board of directors and as chair of the membership committee.

• International Institute for the Study of Midwifery - www.midwiferyinstitute.org
  The International Institute for the Study of Midwifery is a multinational organization that investigates and promotes the global practice of midwifery. The institute contains three divisions that provide resources for research, education and political involvement. All resources are intended for use by researchers, students, midwives and activists from all cultures. I served as a member of the Board of Directors.

• the family after - www.familyafter.org
  The Family After is a community center aimed at enhancing the lives of those recovering from addictive behaviors. The Family After will accomplish this by providing those in recovery and their families a safe recreation and education facility. It will also serve to connect its constituents with the resources and support available in the surrounding communities. I served as a founding member of the board of directors and as a member of the executive committee.

• W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center - www.duboislc.org
  The W.E.B. DuBois Learning Center is committed to providing tutorial services for the academic achievement of elementary and secondary students in the areas of reading, mathematics, science, and computer science. i served as a volunteer.

• Lifeskills Management Center - www.mutualrespect.org
  The purpose of the Lifeskills Management Center is to provide prevention, intervention education and treatment for families, children and adolescents at risk for or involved in the justice system. This organization is of particular interest to me because of its strong emphasis on creating results -- developing a tangible and measurable difference in childrens lives. i served as a volunteer.

• executive service corp of kansas city - www.esckc.org
  The Executive Service Corps of Greater Kansas City or ESC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our members are primarily retired executives and professionals from both private sector businesses and nonprofit agencies. Our members have enjoyed successful careers during the course of which they have gained knowledge, experience and skills that are helpful in improving the operations and effectiveness of nonprofits. i served as a volunteer.

• kansas city cares - www.kccares.org
  kansas city cares is a not-for-profit organization that makes volunteer activities more accessible to individuals with hectic or unpredictable schedules. working in teams headed by project coordinators, they provide volunteer resources to community service organizations throughout the kansas city metropolitan area. i served as a volunteer.

• united way of greater topeka - www.unitedwaytopeka.org
  many people know of united way, but have have a hard time explaining our unique role in solving community problems. for more than 60 years, united way of greater topeka has been making a difference in people's lives every day. united way of greater topeka is about people helping people. we offer a hand up, not a hand out. united way of greater topeka supports more than 100 programs in 34 affiliated agencies. more than simply raising money to fund quality programs, united way actively works to build a better community by solving important issues and problems in the greater topeka area. i served as a volunteer.

• big brothers big sisters - www.bbbsa.org
  big brothers big sisters of america has matched millions of children in need with caring adult mentors since 1904. research shows that children with big brothers and big sisters are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, skip school, and exhibit violent behavior. their program provides positive mentoring relationships for young people in hundreds of communities in all 50 states. i served as a volunteer.

• the villages inc. - www.thevillagesinc.com
  the villages is a not for profit agency that provides care for children in adoptive or foster care in the state of kansas. today so many young people go uncared for and unloved. the villages is dedicated to providing families to these young people. the villages was founded by dr. carl meningers. i served as a volunteer.

• kab sibling reunion camp - www.kab.net
  the kansas association of broadcasters annually sponsors a camp for children that have been separated from their siblings as a result of their being in state custody. this is very unfortunate and for so long, little if anything was being done to alleviate the emotional wounds this caused. two years ago the kab decided to take action. a team of child care professionals and concerned citizens paired with the kab to create this beautiful experience. few opportunites to serve my community have been as rewarding as working to make this camp a reality each year. i served as a volunteer.

• high hopes transitional living project
  drawn together by a universal interest in providing services to young people who have "aged out" of the system, a group of caring individuals decided to create a facility to assist them after state child care. so often, young people who have spent great lengths of time in state child care facilities have not been taught basic life skills. when they become too old to remain in state custody, they are simply released to the world without further guidance. to fill this crack in our society that so many people have fallen through, we have begun the work of creating a transitional living complex. the end result will be an apartment complex where aged out youth can live. the only requirements are drug free, employed, responsible living. assistance will be available, though not forced, allowing freedom but with a safety net. i served as a volunteer.

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