WHAT: Free lead education during National Public Health Week WHEN: Friday, April 10th from 10am to 2pm WHERE: Outside Westside Housing's office, 919 W 24th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 Learn about the services offered by LeadSafeKC:
Sponsored by the Kansas City Health Department. Contact Scott Graybill for more information at 816-513-6250. |
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We are beginning conversations with a major data center located right here in the Westside regarding low-cost, sustainable wireless connectivity for West Bluff, Villa del Sol, and Observation Park residents. We are also identifying sites in the neighborhood that could host a computer science lab with weekly digital literacy classes. This programming could be connected via the local data center and powered by volunteers for class content and curation. The dense tree canopy and hilly topography pose a challenge to a completely wireless Westside. Wireless transmitters and receivers (an antenna and a radio) need a clear line of sight in order to transmit data reliably. We are consulting a number of wireless providers and engineers who have proposed novel solutions using a mix of wired and wireless technologies. We remain committed to ensuring that any resident wanting to connect has affordable options and the information they need to make the best decision. Thank you for your support to keep the Westside the best side! Westside Housing extends a special thank you to Cindy Augustine and the Hispanic Development Fund for their support of this project!Saturday was our first event of Sweep It Up, Keep It Up 2015: a litter sweep! Over 30 neighbors and their friends dedicated a few hours to filling up bright blue KCMO trash bags with all sorts of road debris like bottles, wrappers, cigarette butts, and more. While we're focusing our efforts on the South End in 2015, our plans are to move on to other parts of Westside in the coming years. Many thanks to NeighborWorks America and the Westside CAN Center for your support. Here's to celebrating communities for NeighborWorks Week, June 6th-14th! Upcoming clean-up eventsSouth End Poison Ivy Removal
Your donations of toys and clothing brightened Christmas morning for more than 30 children and their families. Children wrote letters and drew pictures like the below with their Christmas lists. Donors "adopted" one or multiple children and shopped for the items on their list. Families came to pick up the wrapped gifts from Westside Housing and then opened the gifts at home. We are now passing on the gratitude expressed by these families to all our donors. Thank you!! 2014 was the fourth year of the secret Santa gifting for children. If you'd like to participate next year, contact Sonya Shifflett-Bly at 816-421-8048. Calling all Entrepreneurs! Looking to launch or grow your small business? This class is for you!1/22/2015 Is 2015 the year to finally open your own business? Or start making money on a business you already own? Consider joining the WIBO (Workshop in Business Opportunities) 16-Week Workshop: How to Build a Growing Profitable Business. Gain the skills and confidence you need to make your business a success. Call 816-216-1851 or visit www.kcmocde.org/wibo to apply. Deadline is February 12th so apply today.
The Local Initiative Support Corporation, or LISC, announced they will award another $75,000 in grant funding this year to Westside Housing and six other organizations. For the last few years this funding has enabled us to complete CPTED on homes and businesses in the Northeast neighborhood of Scarritt Renaissance. CPTED, or Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, secures homes and businesses through design upgrades. Typical improvements include outdoor security lights, tree trimming, and replacing hollow-core doors with a sturdier option. "Lighting not only benefited my property but also provided protection to the pedestrians walking through the alley." Rebecca Koop owns Back Door Pottery on St. John Avenue that is also bordered by an alley. Sometimes loitering became a safety concern for Ms. Koop's clients, her neighbors, and other pedestrians. Using the LISC funding, Westside Housing was able to replace a cracked window and install security lights along two sides of her property. According to Ms. Koop, "Lighting not only benefited my property but also provided protection to the pedestrians walking through the alley." She went on to describe how, when her dogs are barking at night, she is able to look out the window and see who passing through. If you live or own a property in Scarritt Renaissance and you are interested in participating in the CPTED program, visit our website or call Laura at Westside Housing: 816-221-0286. What are the top 3 CPTED concepts?Learn more on LISC's website about specific improvements you can make to your home! On November 25th Westside Housing staff, board members, and other volunteers served dinner to over 60 residents with friends and family. Posada del Sol is our 60-unit senior apartment building near 17th and Summit. This long-standing tradition has been a delight for residents and staff alike.
Community members donated turkeys, pumpkins pies, boxes of stuffing, and cans of cranberry sauce. Property Manager Lupe Aguilar started preparing for the meal the weekend beforehand, and staff cooked all day long on Tuesday. Resident Victor Garcia even DJed Mexican music during the meal! We are grateful to everyone who made this meal so enjoyable. If you're interested in being involved in future community events, please contact Sonya at 816-421-8048. Happy Thanksgiving! It’s almost time for Open Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2015. Open enrollment starts on November 15 and ends on February 15, 2015.
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center is inviting the community to an open house kick-off on Saturday, November 15th from 10am to 2 pm at their new SURHC Education Center at 2100 E 9th Street, Kansas City, MO. The Education Center is located one block south of their main campus (815 Euclid Avenue). Samuel U. Rogers patients and the public are invited to come and learn about new healthcare coverage options for 2015. You can also speak to a Marketplace Counselor and make an appointment to get free in-person application help. There will be refreshments and raffle prizes as well. Share this information with your network, and let them know the event is free and open to the public. Attached is the event flyer in both English and Spanish. We're so grateful to the men's and women's tennis teams from Rockhurst University. They provided us with 18 bodies of manpower last Saturday to fix up the Jefferson Place garden. The student-athletes built seven raised beds and filled them with organic soil. Board member Miguel Meneces and other residents were also present.
Laura and Sonya from Westside Housing had a miniature chili cook-off to feed the volunteers lunch. (No winner was determined since both chilis were obliterated by young appetites.) We're looking forward to next year's planting season! If you're interested in getting involved, contact Sonya at 816-421-8048. The Kansas City Equity Network advocates for sustainable and equitable development in the Greater Kansas City region to which all residents contribute and from which all residents benefit. This past Saturday, the Network hosted the Equity Summit, where equity in transportation was the focus. Laura Barrett of the Transportation Equity Network addressed participants after breakfast. Those present also engaged in a panel discussion and break-out sessions. When citizens are educated about the decision-making process in policy change, they are empowered to participate in that change. This partnership between Westside Housing and 12 other organizations will continue to create plans for the future. The vision is that our region will improve development in the city in a way that is fair to all residents and thus, become a healthier and more successful region. To learn more, visit the KC Equity Network on Facebook.
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