By Paul Thompson

Northeast News

August 4, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Northeast residents were able to make some final preparations in advance of the 2016-2017 school year on Thursday, August 4, thanks to the help of the Mattie Rhodes Center.

On Thursday evening, Mattie Rhodes Center (148 N. Topping Ave) hosted its annual Back to School Rally from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The center worked with a number of community partners to provide a host of crucial services. Vaccinations were provided by the Kansas City Health Department (for those with shots records on hand), health screenings were conducted by Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City University offered free toothbrushes and toothpaste, and Harmony Project KC signed students up for music classes. Mattie Rhodes Center also registered children for the free Soccer for Success program, handed out free school supplies (thanks in part to Visit KC), provided a bounce house for children to enjoy, and gave away school uniforms, while supplies lasted.

Northeast Arts KC also set up a painting station where the community could help re-paint the recently-retrieved public art panels that once adorned the vacant property at 3512 Independence Avenue. Below are photos from the neighborhood event: