Urban Neighborhood Initiative

🌱 UNI was excited to participate in DeLaSalle Education Center's Wellness Day, a day dedicated to uplifting mental well-being and promoting self-care! This meaningful event provides students with resources, support, and tools to help them navigate challenges and foster resilience. Together, we're building a stronger, healthier community by prioritizing mental health for all. #WellnessDay #MentalHealthMatters

I had the honor of attending the Urban Neighborhood Initiative groundbreaking event for new affordable housing in partnership with VanTrust Real Estate. This powerful nonprofit/for-profit collaboration is creating a pathway to home ownership in the city and advancing health equity through stable, affordable housing. The link between housing and health is undeniable. Safe, affordable housing provides a foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and improving physical and mental well-being. Urban Neighborhood Initiative and VanTrust Real Estate’s single-family homes are sustainably designed, ensuring families won’t be utility cost-burdened, allowing them to focus on building healthier, more stable lives. Additionally, Urban Neighborhood Initiative’s "Path to Homeownership" pilot program is an incredible step towards closing the wealth gap. By developing 250 homes for low-to-moderate income families, Urban Neighborhood Initiative is empowering families with financial stability and a future of homeownership. VanTrust Real Estate’s support of this initiative is grounded in their commitment “to do right by dirt”. They are helping families in our community thrive. Congratulations to Dave Harrison for bringing this vision to life. I’m honored to serve as Vice-Chair of Urban Neighborhood Initiative and grateful for Jamee Rodgers, PhD leadership. None of this would have happened without the unwavering focus of Representative Emanuel Cleaver on the issue of affordable housing. As a minister, former council member, and former mayor, Rep. Cleaver understands the transformative power of housing. That he was able to secure federal support for this project in the current political climate is a testament to his commitment to the cause and his considerable political skills. This partnership is helping our community address affordable, safe housing and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more equitable Kansas City. Ready to make an impact? Join us. Let's get to work.

We’re proud to recognize KC Health Collaborative as a vital partner in advancing health equity across our community. Their innovative approach to tackling complex healthcare challenges is instrumental in creating accessible wellness opportunities for all. At UNI, we believe that wellness thrives through community, and KC Health Collaborative’s support brings us closer to a healthier, more equitable Kansas City. Thank you, KC Health Collaborative, for your partnership and for helping make Recess! Jam Session a vibrant gathering for all. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for our city!

We were thrilled to partner with Tension Corporation for this year’s Recess! Jam Session! Tension’s dedication to uplifting urban neighborhoods and fostering strong, connected communities is truly inspiring. Their commitment not only enriches the lives of Kansas Citians but also empowers those who need it most, creating lasting impacts across our city. Thank you, Tension, for standing alongside us to make this event unforgettable. Together, we’re cultivating vibrant neighborhoods and building a brighter future for all!

We appreciate the continual effort of JE Dunn Construction in giving back to the Kansas City community. Their generosity reaches countless initiatives across Kansas City, and we’re honored to be among them. Thank you, JE Dunn, for your invaluable support and for helping us host Recess! Jam Session. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our neighborhoods!

We are lucky to share an office building with our friends at Health Forward Foundation and even luckier to have this incredible organization as a partner. Thank you for your support for Recess! Jam Session. Your all-encompassing strategy to improve health equity outcomes is a motivated, and genuine approach that contributes to overall wellness. We look forward to continuing to collaborate on energizing urban communities!

Thank you LISC Greater Kansas City for your transcendent focus on forging community with intention, inclusivity, and resiliency. Your support of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative continues in many places but most recently during Recess! Jam Session. Thanks for jamming with us and helping to create momentum for impact in bettering our neighborhoods.

Arvest Bank is a dedicated sponsor of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative, consistently supporting our mission to uplift urban communities. Their commitment to financial literacy is just one of the many ways they invest in neighborhood growth and empowerment. We were thrilled to have their support at the Recess! Jam Session, helping us create an unforgettable event for our community.

We are grateful to the City of Kansas City, MO leadership for their unwavering support in fostering urban development and revitalization. Our long-standing partnership has made a meaningful impact over the years, most recently with their support for our Recess! Jam Session. Thank you, City of Kansas City, Missouri, for helping connect Kansas City families with the promise of affordable housing through diverse and powerful collaborations. Together, we’re building stronger, more vibrant communities.

🎶 Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors who helped make our Recess! Jam Session a success! Your support has strengthened our mission of fostering neighborhood development and uplifting our community. 🌟 Events like this are more than just fun—they’re vital to building stronger, more connected urban neighborhoods. By bringing people together, we spark engagement, create opportunities, and help our community thrive. Together, we’re shaping a brighter, more resourceful future. Let’s keep the momentum going! United Way of Greater Kansas City Torn Label Brewing Company Husch Blackwell Parris Communications Full Employment Council, Inc. Carter Broadcasting Co.