BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CalDiscovery//caldiscovery//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH DESCRIPTION:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscover y.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fro m CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. SOURCE:https://caldiscovery.com/kansas-city-mo/family.ics X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H X-WR-CALDESC:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscove ry.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fr om CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. X-WR-CALNAME:CalDiscovery - kansas-city-mo (family) BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Mother Nature Reads DTSTART:20260905T150000Z DTEND:20260905T160000Z DTSTAMP:20260901T122229Z UID:10000498-1788602400-1788606000@kcparks.org CATEGORIES:arts,family,literary DESCRIPTION:Bring your children for a fun morning to hear Mother Nature re ad stories. Make a craft and take it home. You may also get a chance to me et one of our education animals. LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T122229Z LOCATION:Lakeside Nature Center\, 4701 E. Gregory Blvd.\, Kansas City\, MO \, 64132 URL:https://kcparks.org/event/mother-nature-reads-2/2026-09-05/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Kansas City Parks & Recreation X-SOURCE-URL:https://kcparks.org/places/kansas-city-north-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:KCDC Kids Tech Day DTSTART:20260912T050000Z DTEND:20260912T070000Z DTSTAMP:20260902T063452Z UID:10006100-1789171200-1789171200@www.kcstem.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:KCDC lists Kids Tech Day on Saturday\, Sept. 12\, 2026 as part of its 2026 event cycle. LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T063452Z URL:https://www.kcstem.org/event/kcdc-kids-tech-day/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC STEM Alliance X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.kcstem.org/STEM-Connect-KC END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Royal Showcase - A Youth & Open Horse Show DTSTART:20260912T130000Z DTEND:20260913T220000Z DTSTAMP:20260729T180716Z UID:12506-1789200000-1789318800@kcconvention.com CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:The American Royal is proud to host The Royal Showcase – A Y outh & Open Horse Show\, an annual equine event celebrating riders\, horse s\, and the tradition of competitive horsemanship. This all-breed horse sh ow welcomes youth and adult exhibitors for a weekend of competition\, skil l\, and community. \nThe Youth portion of the Royal Showcase features exhi bitors ages 8–18\, while the Open portion is available to exhibitors age s 19 and older. Participants will compete across a variety of divisions de signed to highlight discipline\, technique\, presentation\, and versatilit y. \nEvent Highlights\nExhibitors will compete in divisions including Show manship\, Western Pleasure\, Western Horsemanship\, Hunter Under Saddle\, Hunt Seat Equitation\, Ranch Horse Classes\, and Versatility. Novice divis ion classes are walk/trot only. \nCelebrating Equine Excellence\nThe Royal Showcase offers a meaningful opportunity for riders of all ages to demons trate their hard work\, build confidence\, and connect with the equine com munity. From youth competitors to experienced adult exhibitors\, this even t reflects the American Royal’s longstanding commitment to agriculture\, education\, and equine tradition. LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T180716Z LOCATION:Hale Arena at the American Royal Center\, 1701 American Royal Ct\ , Kansas City\, MO\, 64102\, United States URL:https://kcconvention.com/event/the-royal-showcase-a-youth-open-horse-s how/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Kansas City Convention Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://kcconvention.com/venue/music-hall END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Sensory-Friendly Art Sessions hosted by Kaleidoscope DTSTART:20260912T141500Z DTEND:20260912T144500Z DTSTAMP:20260730T122058Z UID:10000452-1789204500-1789206300@varietykc.org CATEGORIES:arts,family DESCRIPTION:Kaleidoscope hosts Sensory-Friendly Art Sessions on the secon d Saturday of each month\, giving children a quieter creative experience. \nLearn more \n07/11/2026 – 9:15AM – 9:45AM\n08/08/2026 – 9:15AM – 9:45AM\n09/12/2026 – 9:15AM – 9:45AM LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122058Z LOCATION:Crown Center\, 2500 Grand Blvd\, Kansas City\, MO\, 64108\, Unite d States URL:https://varietykc.org/event/sensory-friendly-art-sessions-hosted-by-ka leidoscope/2026-09-12/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Variety KC the Children's Charity X-SOURCE-URL:https://varietykc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Topeka Touch A Truck DTSTART:20260912T143000Z DTEND:20260912T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260805T180501Z UID:11900-1789205400-1789219800@www.harvesters.org CATEGORIES:community,family,food DESCRIPTION:Downtown Topeka Touch-A-Truck provides kids of all ages and th eir parents the opportunity to get up close and personal with trucks! Cent ered around Evergy Plaza\, this event fills the streets of Downtown Topeka with trucks including fire trucks\, cranes and more! There will also be a musical performances\, food trucks\, and vendors. This event is excellent for kids and free to the public\, but donations of nonperishable and cann ed goods are encouraged. Quiet hour this year from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.  \ nStay up to date on event details by checking out their facebook page. LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T180501Z URL:https://www.harvesters.org/event/topeka-touch-a-truck X-SOURCE-NAME:Harvesters X-SOURCE-URL:https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/volunteer/volunteer-op portunities END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays DTSTART:20260914T150000Z DTEND:20260914T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260730T122058Z UID:10000459-1789380000-1789387200@varietykc.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays on the second Monday of e ach month\, creating a lower-stimulation environment designed for children with sensory sensitivities. \nLearn more LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122058Z LOCATION:Wonderscope\, 433 E Red Bridge Road\, Kansas City\, MO\, 64131\, United States URL:https://varietykc.org/event/wonderscope-sensory-friendly-mondays/2026- 09-14/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Variety KC the Children's Charity X-SOURCE-URL:https://varietykc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tricks and Treats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260919 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260920 DTSTAMP:20260901T120802Z UID:10002573-1789776000-1789862399@worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com CATEGORIES:family,holiday DESCRIPTION:Celebrate spooky season at Worlds of Fun with Tricks and Treat s\, a family-friendly daytime Halloween event full of mischievous tricks\, tasty treats\, and spook-tacular entertainment for all ages. This kid-fri endly celebration takes place before the sun sets and the scares set up — it’s all fun\, no fear during the daytime at Worlds of Fun! \nEveryo ne in the family is sure to have a boo-last with Worlds of Fun’s spooky\ , kooky Halloween activities — dress in your finest Halloween attire for The Costume Contest\, enjoy (skele)tons of delicious seasonal drinks and candy\, and discover amazing thrills and chills on some of your favorite f amily rides. \nDon’t miss your chance to celebrate Halloween during Tric ks and Treats at Worlds of Fun — it’s all the fun without the fear bef ore the sun goes down. \nLearn More LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T120802Z URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/calendar/tricks-and-treats/2026 -09-19/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Worlds of Fun Park X-SOURCE-URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/rides-and-experiences/ attractions/fury-of-the-nile/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Free Wheels 4 Kids Bike Repair Event DTSTART:20260919T230000Z DTEND:20260920T010000Z DTSTAMP:20260905T002728Z UID:36495-1789840800-1789848000@bikewalkkc.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:An event from Free Wheels 4 Kids\nCalling all bike mechanics\, DIYers\, and helping hands! Free Wheels 4 Kids has collected a lot of don ated bicycles\, and they need your help sorting and repairing bikes for th eir programs and to give away to residents in KCK! The group will be worki ng outside. FW4K will provide some drinks. Bring your bike tools or use FW 4Ks tools. Please RSVP so they know they can count on your help! \nSaturda y\, Sept 19 from 9:00a – 12:00p\n1303 Central Ave. in Kansas City\, KS \ nNote: this is not an event to get your own bike repaired. LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T002728Z URL:https://bikewalkkc.org/events/free-wheels-4-kids-bike-repair-event/ X-SOURCE-NAME:BikeWalkKC X-SOURCE-URL:https://bikewalkkc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tricks and Treats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260920 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260921 DTSTAMP:20260901T120802Z UID:10002574-1789862400-1789948799@worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com CATEGORIES:family,holiday DESCRIPTION:Celebrate spooky season at Worlds of Fun with Tricks and Treat s\, a family-friendly daytime Halloween event full of mischievous tricks\, tasty treats\, and spook-tacular entertainment for all ages. This kid-fri endly celebration takes place before the sun sets and the scares set up — it’s all fun\, no fear during the daytime at Worlds of Fun! \nEveryo ne in the family is sure to have a boo-last with Worlds of Fun’s spooky\ , kooky Halloween activities — dress in your finest Halloween attire for The Costume Contest\, enjoy (skele)tons of delicious seasonal drinks and candy\, and discover amazing thrills and chills on some of your favorite f amily rides. \nDon’t miss your chance to celebrate Halloween during Tric ks and Treats at Worlds of Fun — it’s all the fun without the fear bef ore the sun goes down. \nLearn More LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T120802Z URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/calendar/tricks-and-treats/2026 -09-20/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Worlds of Fun Park X-SOURCE-URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/rides-and-experiences/ attractions/fury-of-the-nile/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Scarritt Fall Celebration DTSTART:20260920T180000Z DTEND:20260920T210000Z DTSTAMP:20260901T180042Z UID:476@museumofkansascity.org CATEGORIES:community,drink,family,festival,food,music DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, September 20\nScarritt Fall Celebration\n1:00 to 4:00 p.m.\nFree Event | No Tickets Required\n\nJoin us for an afternoon of fam ily fun as we host the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association’s F all Celebration on Sunday\, September 20\, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. on the hi storic grounds of The Museum of Kansas City!\n\nEnjoy an afternoon filled with:\n\n Live music from honky-tonk favorite Rex Hobart and the Misery B oys\n Pumpkin and apple giveaways\n Complimentary hot dogs and snow cone s from PH Coffee for the first 150 guests\n Adult beverages available for purchase from Elixir\n Free kids face painting\n Games and activities f or all ages\, and so much more!\n\nGuests are encouraged to bring a picnic \, blanket\, and lawn chair and enjoy the afternoon on our historic ground s.\n\nOutside alcohol is not permitted. Adult beverages will be available for purchase from Elixir on the lawn.\n\nFree admission\, All ages welcome .\n\nWe can’t wait to celebrate the start of fall with our Scarritt Rena issance neighbors and friends! LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T180042Z URL:https://museumofkansascity.org/events/scarritt-fall-celebration/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Exhibits X-SOURCE-URL:https://museumofkansascity.org/calendar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Maddie's Mission Fifth Annual Block Party DTSTART:20260920T200000Z DTEND:20260920T230000Z DTSTAMP:20260730T122058Z UID:10000517-1789916400-1789927200@varietykc.org CATEGORIES:drink,family,festival,food,music DESCRIPTION:Join us for an unforgettable celebration featuring a Silent Au ction\, a special appearance by K.C. Wolf\, and exciting surprise guest ap pearances! Enjoy fantastic performances from local cheerleading and dance teams\, and bring the kids for face painting and an airbrush tattoo statio n. \nExperience the magic of The Bubble Guy and get your caricature done b y Speed Sketchers. Indulge in delicious treats like cotton candy\, Fritz ’s smoked meats\, and refreshing ice cream. Sip on beverages from Boulev ard Brewery while the Suburbans keep the party alive with music all night long! \nDon’t miss the fun coloring contest and many exciting new surpri ses as we celebrate our 5th year in style! \nGet Tickets! LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122058Z LOCATION:Jewish Community Center\, 5801 W 115th Street\, Overland Park\, K S\, 66211\, United States URL:https://varietykc.org/event/maddies-mission-fifth-annual-block-party/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Variety KC the Children's Charity X-SOURCE-URL:https://varietykc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Youth Mental Health First Aid Course DTSTART:20260922T130000Z DTEND:20260922T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260813T063436Z UID:10001943-1790064000-1790089200@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T063436Z LOCATION:Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose Center\, 3200 Wayne\, Kansas City\, 64109\, United States URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/youth-mental-health-first-aid -course/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tricks and Treats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260926 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260927 DTSTAMP:20260901T120802Z UID:10002575-1790380800-1790467199@worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com CATEGORIES:family,holiday DESCRIPTION:Celebrate spooky season at Worlds of Fun with Tricks and Treat s\, a family-friendly daytime Halloween event full of mischievous tricks\, tasty treats\, and spook-tacular entertainment for all ages. This kid-fri endly celebration takes place before the sun sets and the scares set up — it’s all fun\, no fear during the daytime at Worlds of Fun! \nEveryo ne in the family is sure to have a boo-last with Worlds of Fun’s spooky\ , kooky Halloween activities — dress in your finest Halloween attire for The Costume Contest\, enjoy (skele)tons of delicious seasonal drinks and candy\, and discover amazing thrills and chills on some of your favorite f amily rides. \nDon’t miss your chance to celebrate Halloween during Tric ks and Treats at Worlds of Fun — it’s all the fun without the fear bef ore the sun goes down. \nLearn More LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T120802Z URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/calendar/tricks-and-treats/2026 -09-26/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Worlds of Fun Park X-SOURCE-URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/rides-and-experiences/ attractions/fury-of-the-nile/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Chinese Harvest Celebration DTSTART:20260926T180000Z DTEND:20260926T200000Z DTSTAMP:20260901T180042Z UID:474@museumofkansascity.org CATEGORIES:community,family,festival DESCRIPTION:Saturday\, September 26\nChinese Harvest Celebration\n1:00 p.m . OR 2:00 p.m.\nFree Program | RSVP Required | Space is Limited\nClick her e to RSVP\n\nJoin us at The Museum of Kansas City for a joyful afternoon c elebrating the traditions\, flavors\, and community spirit of the Chinese Harvest\, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival\, presented in partnership with The Society of Friendship with China and the Xi’an and Yan’an Co mmittees of Kansas City Sister Cities Association.\n\nHeld during the seas on of the full harvest moon\, this family-friendly event honors themes of gratitude\, reunion\, and cultural heritage through hands-on activities\, storytelling\, music\, art\, and cultural experiences for all ages.\n\nGue sts are invited to explore the history and symbolism of the festival while enjoying a variety of cultural performances and activities throughout the Museum:\n\n Dragon Dance Welcome Performance\nWelcome the festival with a vibrant dragon dance performance by students from Blue Valley North High School on the front terrace.\n Lion Dance\nExperience the energy and tra dition of lion dancing with performances by the KU Lion Dance Team through out the first floor.\n Live Music\nEnjoy live music by Chinese Musicians in The Sunderland Foundation Living Room. Seating is limited and available on a first-come\, first-served basis.\n Discover Mahjong\nGuest will hav e the opportunity to learn the basics of Mahjong with experienced players who will demonstrate the game\, provide instruction\, and invite participa nts to sit down and play. Discover why Mahjong is a beloved tradition that brings family and friends together during holiday celebrations.\n Moonca ke-Making Demonstrations & Workshops\nDiscover the art and tradition of ma king mooncakes through demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Additional t ickets for purchase are required for the culinary mooncake program.\n\nCel ebrate the beauty of autumn and discover the rich traditions of one of the world’s most beloved harvest festivals at the Museum.\n\nPlease select the 1:00 p.m. OR 2:00 p.m. time slot\, space is very limited. LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T180042Z URL:https://museumofkansascity.org/events/chinese-harvest-celebration/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Exhibits X-SOURCE-URL:https://museumofkansascity.org/calendar END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Tricks and Treats DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260927 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260928 DTSTAMP:20260901T120802Z UID:10002576-1790467200-1790553599@worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com CATEGORIES:family,holiday DESCRIPTION:Celebrate spooky season at Worlds of Fun with Tricks and Treat s\, a family-friendly daytime Halloween event full of mischievous tricks\, tasty treats\, and spook-tacular entertainment for all ages. This kid-fri endly celebration takes place before the sun sets and the scares set up — it’s all fun\, no fear during the daytime at Worlds of Fun! \nEveryo ne in the family is sure to have a boo-last with Worlds of Fun’s spooky\ , kooky Halloween activities — dress in your finest Halloween attire for The Costume Contest\, enjoy (skele)tons of delicious seasonal drinks and candy\, and discover amazing thrills and chills on some of your favorite f amily rides. \nDon’t miss your chance to celebrate Halloween during Tric ks and Treats at Worlds of Fun — it’s all the fun without the fear bef ore the sun goes down. \nLearn More LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T120802Z URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/calendar/tricks-and-treats/2026 -09-27/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Worlds of Fun Park X-SOURCE-URL:https://worldsoffun.enchantedparks.com/rides-and-experiences/ attractions/fury-of-the-nile/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:KC North Ninja Warrior DTSTART:20260930T230000Z DTEND:20261001T000000Z DTSTAMP:20260730T122052Z UID:10001595-1790791200-1790794800@kcparks.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favorite costumed  character and run the obstacle course! Prizes for best dressed and fastes t time.  Goodie bags to all. \nAges 3 – 10 \nFree LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122052Z LOCATION:Kansas City North Community Center\, 3930 N.E. Antioch Road\, Kan sas City\, MO\, 64117\, United States URL:https://kcparks.org/event/kc-north-ninja-warrior-2/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Kansas City Parks & Recreation X-SOURCE-URL:https://kcparks.org/venue/kansas-city-north-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gladfest 2026 DTSTART:20261002T220000Z DTEND:20261003T030000Z DTSTAMP:20260812T181245Z UID:9101-1790960400-1790978400@mggkc.org CATEGORIES:family,festival,food DESCRIPTION:Gladfest 2026 is rolling into town with carnival rides\, tasty food\, vendor booths\, a morning parade\, and a BBQ competition that’s sure to bring the flavor. University of Missouri Extension Master Gardene rs will be in the Kids Corner on Friday\, October 2nd and Saturday Octobe r 3rd with a fun\, family-friendly pollinator activity—stop by\, say hel lo\, and discover what all the buzz is about! \nCheck out this link Gladf est for more details and calendar of daily events. \nOctober 2nd\, 5-10pm and October 3rd\, 10am-10pm\nDowntown Gladstone\, Linden Square\nGladston e MO 64118 LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T181245Z LOCATION:Gladstone – Downtown\, Gladstone\, MO\, 64118\, United States URL:https://mggkc.org/event/gladfest-2026/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City X-SOURCE-URL:https://mggkc.org/events/list END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Gladfest 2026 DTSTART:20261003T150000Z DTEND:20261004T030000Z DTSTAMP:20260812T181245Z UID:9105-1791021600-1791064800@mggkc.org CATEGORIES:family,festival,food DESCRIPTION:Gladfest 2026 is rolling into town with carnival rides\, tasty food\, vendor booths\, a morning parade\, and a BBQ competition that’s sure to bring the flavor. University of Missouri Extension Master Gardene rs will be in the Kids Corner on Friday\, October 2nd and Saturday Octobe r 3rd with a fun\, family-friendly pollinator activity—stop by\, say hel lo\, and discover what all the buzz is about! \nCheck out this link Gladf est for more details and calendar of daily events. \nOctober 2nd\, 5-10pm and October 3rd\, 10am-10pm\nDowntown Gladstone\, Linden Square\nGladston e MO 64118 LAST-MODIFIED:20260812T181245Z LOCATION:Gladstone – Downtown\, Gladstone\, MO\, 64118\, United States URL:https://mggkc.org/event/gladfest-2026-2/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City X-SOURCE-URL:https://mggkc.org/events/list END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20261007T170000Z DTEND:20261007T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260802T061407Z UID:10001685-1791374400-1791376200@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260802T061407Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2026-10-07/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays DTSTART:20261012T150000Z DTEND:20261012T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260809T002702Z UID:10000460-1791799200-1791806400@varietykc.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays on the second Monday of e ach month\, creating a lower-stimulation environment designed for children with sensory sensitivities. \nLearn more LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T002702Z LOCATION:Wonderscope\, 433 E Red Bridge Road\, Kansas City\, MO\, 64131\, United States URL:https://varietykc.org/event/wonderscope-sensory-friendly-mondays/2026- 10-12/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Variety KC the Children's Charity X-SOURCE-URL:https://varietykc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Late Night at KC North DTSTART:20261023T230000Z DTEND:20261024T020000Z DTSTAMP:20260730T122052Z UID:10001594-1792778400-1792789200@kcparks.org CATEGORIES:arts,family,film,gaming DESCRIPTION:Join us for pizza\, ice cream\, esports lab\, movie and popcor n\, art\,.  Each child will leave with a goodie bags for all.  For mor e information\, call 816-513-7740 \nAges 6 – 13 \nPre Registration: $10 per child  |  $15 for two children \nDay Of Drop Off: $15 per child LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T122052Z LOCATION:Kansas City North Community Center\, 3930 N.E. Antioch Road\, Kan sas City\, MO\, 64117\, United States URL:https://kcparks.org/event/late-night-at-kc-north/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Kansas City Parks & Recreation X-SOURCE-URL:https://kcparks.org/venue/kansas-city-north-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20261104T180000Z DTEND:20261104T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260809T060616Z UID:10001686-1793793600-1793795400@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T060616Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2026-11-04/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Kansas City Pet Fest DTSTART:20261106T220000Z DTEND:20261108T020000Z DTSTAMP:20260729T180716Z UID:12497-1793980800-1794081600@kcconvention.com CATEGORIES:community,family,festival DESCRIPTION:KC Pet Fest is Kansas City’s premier pet festival and pet ex po\, created for pets and the people who love them. We bring together loca l pet businesses\, national pet brands\, animal organizations\, and thousa nds of pet lovers for one unforgettable\, family-friendly event in Kansas City. \nMore than a traditional pet expo\, KC Pet Fest is an interactive f estival experience designed to celebrate all pets — dogs\, cats\, reptil es\, small animals\, and more. Attendees can explore curated pet vendors\, live demonstrations\, educational sessions\, adoption opportunities\, ent ertainment\, and hands-on activities built specifically for pet owners. \n Founded in Kansas City\, our mission is to create the Midwest’s most dyn amic pet event that connects the local pet community\, supports small busi nesses\, and elevates the way our city celebrates our animals. LAST-MODIFIED:20260729T180716Z LOCATION:Hale Arena at the American Royal Center\, 1701 American Royal Ct\ , Kansas City\, MO\, 64102\, United States URL:https://kcconvention.com/event/kansas-city-pet-fest/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Kansas City Convention Center X-SOURCE-URL:https://kcconvention.com/venue/music-hall END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays DTSTART:20261109T160000Z DTEND:20261109T180000Z DTSTAMP:20260828T002523Z UID:10000461-1794218400-1794225600@varietykc.org CATEGORIES:family DESCRIPTION:Wonderscope Sensory Friendly Mondays on the second Monday of e ach month\, creating a lower-stimulation environment designed for children with sensory sensitivities. \nLearn more LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T002523Z LOCATION:Wonderscope\, 433 E Red Bridge Road\, Kansas City\, MO\, 64131\, United States URL:https://varietykc.org/event/wonderscope-sensory-friendly-mondays/2026- 11-09/ X-SOURCE-NAME:Variety KC the Children's Charity X-SOURCE-URL:https://varietykc.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20261202T180000Z DTEND:20261202T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260817T065759Z UID:10001687-1796212800-1796214600@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T065759Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2026-12-02/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20270106T180000Z DTEND:20270106T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260819T005502Z UID:10001688-1799236800-1799238600@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T005502Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2027-01-06/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20270203T180000Z DTEND:20270203T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260823T005702Z UID:10001689-1801656000-1801657800@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T005702Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2027-02-03/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Caring for Kids Network - Monthly Virtual Lunch and Learn DTSTART:20270303T180000Z DTEND:20270303T183000Z DTSTAMP:20260826T185630Z UID:10001690-1804075200-1804077000@kccommongood.org CATEGORIES:community,education,family DESCRIPTION:Communities across America are searching for better ways to re duce violence while building trust\, opportunity\, and safer neighborhoods . At this year’s Rebuilding the Village Conference\, leaders from cities across the country gathered to share one simple truth: lasting public saf ety happens when entire communities work together.  What Is Community Saf ety? Community safety is more than reducing crime. It is creating the co nditions where people\, families\, businesses\, and neighborhoods can thr ive. While law enforcement plays an important role\, lasting public safet y is built long before a crisis occurs through prevention\, opportunity\, and strong community partnerships.  A comprehensive community safety appr oach addresses the root causes of violence by bringing together residents\ , businesses\, nonprofit organizations\, educators\, faith leaders\, gover nment agencies\, and law enforcement around a shared goal: creating safer\ , healthier communities for everyone. It combines prevention\, interventi on\, education\, economic opportunity\, neighborhood investment\, youth en gagement\, and support services to reduce violence before it happens while helping communities recover and grow.  KC Common Good’s Roots and Pre- Conference Engagement At KC Common Good\, this philosophy is the foundati on of KC 360\, our collaborative network that’s proudly modeled af ter Omaha 360\, a program in Nebraska led by the Empowerment Network.  This network connects leaders across sectors to identify challenges\, sh are resources\, and coordinate solutions. By aligning public\, private\, n onprofit\, and community partners\, KC 360 demonstrates that meaningful progress happens when organizations work together rather than in isolation .  When communities invest in prevention\, strengthen partnerships\, and work toward shared outcomes\, they don’t just respond to violence. The y create safer neighborhoods where people can live\, work\, learn\, and su cceed together. That is what community safety looks like\, and it is the f uture KC Common Good is working to build every day.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n KC Comm on Good attendees also took part in the Pre-Conference\, where partner ci ties met early at the Village Empowerment Center. These unique sessions p rovided the chance for deep connection\, shared learning\, and firsthand observation of the Empowerment Network’s impactful community work.  Emp ire Dreams Founder and KC 360 member\, Kimberly Anne\, joined members of t he KC Common Good team and reflected\, “Dollars in Omaha are strategica lly invested through targeted funnel systems of collaboration that address the root causes of community challenges\, not the band-aid effects.”   About the “Rebuilding the Village” Conference For nearly two d ecades\, this conference has showcased some of the nation’s best evide nce-based strategies with proven\, measurable results. It connected not on ly Kansas City\, but additional partner cities like Tulsa\, New Orleans\ , Lansing\, and global partners like Sierra Leone\, sharing impactful appr oaches in education\, housing\, entrepreneurship\, safety\, economic mobil ity\, and more.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lessons in Community Safety from Omaha A s tandout moment came from Omaha’s Chief of Police\, Todd Schmaderer\, who reflected candidly on public safety and the importance of comprehensive c ommunity safety models beyond traditional policing by building community t rust and leveraging partnerships is key.  Omaha’s collaborative public safety approach continues to have reduced violence in key areas\, yet the city remains determined to reach zero incidents. They also emphasized the goal of reducing arrests overall\, particularly juvenile arrests\, seeki ng to address the core causes of violence.   Kansas City Collaboration\ , Outcomes and Shared Success One attendee from another partner city ex pressed the spirit of the conference: “When you find something that’s effective\, lawful\, and procedurally just\, then you want to bring that back to your own city.” For KC Common Good\, this exchange of proven i deas was invaluable.  Kansas City Is Demonstrating Community Safety Resu lts The results of this collective effort are becoming increasingly clear .  Gun violence in Kansas City is now at its lowest level in eight years. While no single program or organization can claim responsibility for this progress\, it reflects what is possible when a community aligns around  shared goals and coordinated action.  A significant contributor to this p rogress has been the City of Kansas City\, Missouri’s historic $30 milli on investment in community violence prevention through the Violence Preven tion Fund. This five-year commitment supports community-based organization s working directly in neighborhoods most impacted by violence through outr each\, youth development\, reentry services\, mental and behavioral health programs\, conflict mediation\, and other evidence-informed prevention st rategies. The investment reflects a growing recognition that public safety requires both prevention and intervention\, not simply enforcement.  At the heart of this work is KC 360. Since its launch\, the network has ex perienced a 24-fold increase in participation\, connecting more than 600 i ndividuals through weekly meetings\, engaging more than 500 participants i n workshops and trainings\, and building a network of over 300 partner org anizations committed to safer communities.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Trust is anothe r important measure of progress. Among participants in community safety p rogramming\, 62 percent reported increased trust in law enforcement\, dem onstrating the value of relationship-building and consistent engagement b etween residents and public institutions.  Kansas City’s partners are a lso taking action at the neighborhood level. Together\, organizations an d residents have completed more than 10\,000 community-based actions in n eighborhoods most impacted by violence. These efforts range from outreach and mentoring to neighborhood cleanups\, youth engagement\, conflict medi ation\, and connecting residents to resources.  One of the most promising examples of community-led safety is the Village Initiative. What began in one neighborhood has expanded to two. Within the Village Zone\, violence has been reduced by 44 percent\, generating more than $180 million in taxp ayer savings over the past two years while improving quality of life for r esidents. Learn more about our success in the first Village Zone in our blog.  The business community has also stepped forward in meaningful ways . Business partnerships focused on community safety and neighborhood inv estment have increased eightfold\, bringing new resources\, expertise\ , and opportunities to support community-driven solutions.  Young people are increasingly connected to positive opportunities as well. Participatio n in summer youth activities has increased by 7.5 times\, helping create s afe spaces\, mentorship opportunities\, and pathways to success for the ne xt generation.  At the same time\, investment in community-led public saf ety solutions has grown dramatically. Grants awarded to community-driven v iolence prevention and public safety initiatives have increased 20-fold\, ensuring that organizations closest to the challenges have access to the r esources needed to address them.  These outcomes remind us that community safety is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or government. It is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration\, trust\, inves tment\, and sustained commitment.  Kansas City still has work to do\, but the progress being made demonstrates what is possible when public inves tment\, community leadership\, and cross-sector collaboration align around a common vision. Safer neighborhoods are created through relationships\, opportunity\, prevention\, and partnership.  Three Lessons Kansas City is Taking Home  Collaboration multiplies impact. Communities make faster progress when government\, businesses\, nonprofits\, and residents work t oward shared goals. Prevention is an investment\, not an expense. Addre ssing root causes creates stronger neighborhoods and reduces long-term cos ts. Data drives better decisions. Measuring outcomes helps communities s cale what works and continuously improve.   Moving Forward Together Com munity safety is not achieved by one organization or one program. It is bu ilt through sustained collaboration\, shared accountability\, and a belief that every neighborhood deserves the opportunity to thrive. KC Common Goo d remains committed to bringing proven ideas\, trusted partnerships\, and measurable solutions back to Kansas City as we continue building safer com munities together. LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T185630Z URL:https://kccommongood.org/community-event/caring-for-kids-network-month ly-virtual-lunch-and-learn/2027-03-03/ X-SOURCE-NAME:KC Common Good X-SOURCE-URL:https://kccommongood.org/venue/southeast-community-center END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR