Photo courtesy of LINC

Adriauna Barger

Editorial Assistant

As students across Kansas City prepare to return to the classroom, the Local Investment Commission (LINC) is already hard at work to ensure that its school days begin and end in safe, supportive spaces.

LINC is a nonprofit organization established in 1992 by Bert Berkley and other community leaders. As a citizen-led collaboration, LINC works to bring Missouri state resources and programs to the local level, aiming to enhance the well-being of children and families throughout the Kansas City area.

“LINC overall, we have 54 before and after school sites in five different school districts,” said Kristin Potter, LINC’s supervisor of school-age services. The goal is to provide more than supervision — the program is rooted in care, community and opportunity.

“We want them to feel safe,” said Edina Von Hoffman, site coordinator at Gladstone Elementary. “They have a place where they can let go and have fun and learn. They can just relax and have learning experiences, we’re a safe space for them.”

Each LINC site offers an array of programs tailored to meet students’s academic and personal needs. However, these services go beyond worksheets and games. They offer meaningful enrichment opportunities and mentorship, which helps kids grow into confident learners and leaders.

Activities include free sports programming like flag football and basketball, as well as community partnerships with organizations such as Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City and Girl Scouts.

“We had Girl Scout golf instructors,” said Potter. “We take field trips and offer different things that our children might not have exposure to.”

These programs aren’t just for fun — they’re building blocks for a well-rounded education. Whether it’s sports, art, cultural workshops or connecting with positive adult role models, LINC’s activities are designed to open doors and expand horizons.

And LINC isn’t just a win for students — it’s a lifeline for working families. With the rising cost of child care, many families find themselves grappling with challenging decisions between work, rent and after-school care.

“Child care is very expensive,” said Von Hofman. “And for many, to work and have kids is just, where do you live? Do I pay my rent or do I pay to have my kids in daycare?”

LINC works to offer a solution: no-cost program that provides stability for both children and parents. Each site is staffed with trained professionals who see the same kids every day, allowing  bonds to form between the students and instructors.

“We are able to bring constant, positive adult relationships to the kids,” said Potter. “We see the kids everyday and we get to build those relationships.”

Those relationships extend to the entire household. Beyond offering before and after-school care, LINC connects families with additional resources such as utility assistance and parenting support — all tailored to the unique needs of the neighborhood each site serves.

Families interested in enrolling their child in a LINC program can  do so online. The application is free, and once submitted, LINC staff reach out to schedule a brief interview with parents.

“We contact the parents to let them know that their child is enrolled,” said Jehovana Gonzalez, site coordinator at Garfield Elementary. “We do a small interview with the family and go over our parent handout book.”

This personal connection at the beginning ensures clear communication and a shared understanding of expectations, further supporting a strong partnership between families and LINC staff.

While LINC is best known for its school-based programs, its impact stretches far beyond the classroom. The organization also offers a wide range of community services including the Missouri Work Assistance Program, which provides job skill training for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, support for foster youth and services for local senior centers.

“Each LINC site is very different because we really do try to become what the community needs, and each community is different,” Von Hofman said.