COVID 19 RESPONSE

COVID-19 RESPONSE

KC Scholars is Poised for Continued Impact and Sustainability (4/2/2020)

These are tough and scary times. We feel vulnerable as we strive to be courageous. There is no playbook for how to navigate this challenging time. However, we do know that reassurance, connectivity, gratitude, and the desire to make a difference are vital to individuals and to our community – more now than ever before.

I marvel at the human determination, ingenuity, and leadership being demonstrated at this time across our region and by our Scholars!

I reassure you that KC Scholars stands firm in its goals. KC Scholars will honor its commitments to Scholars already awarded, will award new Scholars this year and in years forthcoming, and will create positive impact for the Greater Kansas City community.

Let me share facts about where KC Scholars is and about the commitments we will fulfill by working together:

  • KC Scholars is a strong community asset, designed and supported by this community, and is an essential program to the Kansas City region.
    • KC Scholars provides hope and opportunity.
    • For many, college was a dream outside their reach being made possible through KC Scholars.
    • KC Scholars are changemakers who give back to our community!
  • 100% of operations for KC Scholars are covered for years into the future. Our sustainability is strong, as will be the program’s continued impact on the region’s postsecondary attainment rates and workforce pipeline.
  • KC Scholars will make its annual scholarship awards in May 2020. We will not cancel or postpone what we call “the best day of the year”. We will celebrate the outstanding student and adult awardees and support their college completion. Follow on social media as we celebrate the surprise awards (@KCScholars on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; #KCScholarsAwardDay for May 1st).
  • Our Scholars are enrolling and persisting in college at rates significantly higher than for our region, state, and nation. We are on target to achieve outcomes greater than projected in our business plan.
    • Near 100% of 11th grade awardees enrolled in college and 96% persisted from year one to two.
    • Adult Learner Scholars persist in college at 30% higher than the national average.

As we reflect on what we are grateful for, KC Scholars is grateful for its many donors and community stakeholders who believe in the program and students and adults from across our region. Our current donors remain with us and we continue to bring on new donors. Our donors care about our Scholars and about this community’s future.

Our work together is mission critical – we are preparing the next generation of front-line responders, health care providers, and future leaders across all sectors.

Together, let’s continue to create the impact we all envision!

Beth Tankersley-Bankhead, President and CEO

KC Scholars' Response (3/16/2020)


March 16, 2020

KC Scholars is committed to doing our part to protect the well-being of our staff, families, Scholars, and the community as we all do our best to proactively respond to the COVID-19 virus.

To that end, the KC Scholars’ office is closed for two weeks (with a planned re-open on April 27) during which all business is being handled via phone or technology. Meetings and events are being canceled. Some meetings and events will be rescheduled, while others are being conducted via phone or technology. Impacted parties have been notified.

KC Scholars’ staff will respond to your email as soon as possible and thank you for your patience and understanding.

In times such as these, it is important to remember that (as someone tweeted) all these things are also contagious: gratitude, thankfulness, laughter, kindness, teamwork, support, and a community spirit.

May we all stay well!

Sincerely,

Beth Tankersley-Bankhead

President and CEO

KC Scholars

Scholar Resources

COVID-19 Kansas City Local & Online Resources

In light of the recent COVID-19 health crisis, we are compiling a running list of helpful resources that are available either in the Greater Kansas City area (Jackson, Clay, Platte, & Cass Counties in Missouri; Johnson & Wyandotte Counties in Kansas) or online.  

If you know of additional resources that should be added to this list, please email civory@kcscholars.org

Food Assistance 

  • NOTE: Most local school districts are offering free meals to all children under the age of 18 (even if your child is not enrolled in the district or not yet in school). There are drive-up and delivery drop-off locations. Please check your nearest school district’s website for information.
  • Harvesters Food Assistance Locator – searchable database of food pantries and meal sites 
  • Curbside KC– List of local restaurants offering curbside and/or delivery services
  • SNAP Helpline – assistance with applying for SNAP Food Assistance benefits 
  • The Rieger/Crossroads Community Kitchen – pay-what-you-can meals
  • Thelma’s Kitchen – donate-what-you-can lunches (open M-F 11am-2pm)

Transportation

  • RideKC – all buses in the metro area are currently running and are not charging fares

Housing & Utilities

Childcare & Family Resources

Technology Assistance

NOTE: Many phone carriers are now offering unlimited data, free hotspot data and/or free international calling.  Check with your provider or view a list of updates 

  • Everyone On – Database of low-cost computers, internet providers, and tech literacy training programs
  • Connecting for Good KC – low-cost desktop computers and laptops; curbside pick-up available
  • Spectrum Internet – 2 months free to new households with students
  • Charter Internet – 2 months free to new households with students
  • Comcast – temporarily suspending late fees, disconnections, and data overages; new service package free for 60 days 

Healthcare

Emotional Wellness

*Disponible en español

  • Physical & Emotional Wellness Online Resources
    • Calm – Free Meditation App
    • Down Dog Yoga – customizable yoga sessions; free membership til July 1

Employment

Debt Relief

  • Federal Student Loans – information about temporarily pausing payments for federal student loans
  • Credit Cards – list of credit card companies offering hardship/assistance programs or payment deferrals
  • Auto Loans – list of banks and lenders offering assistance to borrowers impacted by COVID-19

Educational Resources

  • Just For Fun!
    • Online Board Games – connect with friends online to play Monopoly, Chess, Uno, and more!

 

College Adviser Virtual Contact Information for Students
During Virtual Advising Period

High SchoolCollege AdviserEmailPhoneTextSocial Media HandleOther Platforms
Belton High SchoolKatie Havorsenkhalvorsen@bsd124.org816-835-7867816-835-7867
Center High SchoolDarius Mylesdmyles@center.k12.mo.us918-237-6539918-237-6539
Central High SchoolBria Douglasdouglasbp@missouri.edu816-394-8747816-394-8747
East High SchoolBatula Husseinbatula.hussein@kcmsd.net816-699-9582816-699-9582bhussein@missouri.edu
Fort Osage High SchoolKrystal Brierkbrier@fortosage.net816-379-6750816-379-6750Twitter @FortOAdviser

Instagram @fortoadviser

Harrisonville High SchoolSamantha Kateskatess@missouri.edu816-408-0450816-408-0450
Northeast High SchoolAlexis Broomabroom@kcmsd.net or abroom@missouri.edu

 

816-408-0194816-408-0194
North Kansas City High SchoolKendric Carlockkendric.carlock@nkcschools.org816-343-4210
Paseo AcademyJalissa Santiagojrspq4@missouri.edu314-749-7058314- 749-7058
Raytown High SchoolPeyton Sandfortpeyton.sandfort@raytownschools.org314-640-0738314-640-0738
Raytown South High SchoolLauren Fantlauren.fant@raytownschools.org314-459-4031314-459-4031lfant@missouri.edu
Ruskin High SchoolJasmyne Neelyjasmynen.uofmo@hickmanmills.org913-624-9645913-624-9645
Southeast High SchoolLaMarco Aikenslamarco_aikens@kcpublicschools.org816-418-1159314-349-7716laikens@missouri.edu
Van Horn High SchoolTshulthrim Zangmotshulthrim_zangmo@isdschools.org816-922-9589816-922-9589@vhcollegedvisingtzwvh3@umsystem.edu
William Chrisman High SchoolDaryn Williams-Boundsdaryn_williams-bounds@isdschools.org816-396-6196 

@WCHSadviser

Winnetonka High SchoolAddison Kingsburyaddison.kingsbury@nkcschools.org913-283-5375913-283-5375@TonkaCollege
FL Schlagle High SchoolErin Daviserin.davis@kckps.org913-850-1465Twitter: @SchlagleCCC

Instagram: @SchlagleCCC

JC Harmon High SchoolJasmine Antunezjasmine.antunez@m.kckps.orgGoogle Classroom
Sumner AcademyMegan Stonemegan.stone@kckps.org or megan.stone@m.kckps.org(913) 283-4407(913) 283-4407Twitter: @sumnerccc

Instagram:

sumnercollegeandcareer

Their classes Google Classroom