By YMCA of Greater Kansas City on April 1, 2021
When stay-at-home orders went into effect in March 2020, one of the first concerns the YMCA of Greater Kansas City started hearing about was child care. What would families do if parents had to go to work but kids were out of school? The Y, the largest provider of school-age child care in the metro, […]
By Nancy B. White, LPC on February 25, 2021
Licensed Qualified Mental Health Professional
Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health
My friend’s 93- year-old grandmother was diagnosed with COVID; my 50- something-year-old co-worker contracted COVID; and my 25-year-old cousin had COVID. Coming up on the year anniversary of the stay-at-home orders, by now, we all probably know someone who has been diagnosed with COVID. Perhaps some of us know someone who has passed away due […]
By Tania Hewett-Mader on January 27, 2021
Policy Associate
Health Forward Foundation
Welcome to the end of the first month of 2021, after what felt like the longest year in history. Without a doubt, COVID-19 relief and recovery remains one of Health Forward’s top priorities as vaccination efforts ramp up and the federal response to the pandemic continues to evolve with the Biden Administration taking office last […]
By Graciela Couchonnal, Ph.D. on January 20, 2021
Vice President of Programs
Health Forward Foundation
Richard Zimmer, CPA, MBA
Chief Financial Officer, Health Forward Foundation
Back in May 2020, we asked our grantees and community partners to share with us how the pandemic impacted services and everyday operations. You responded magnificently. We heard how the pandemic produced some previously unimagined hurdles, but in a display of resiliency, you shared how you adjusted operations quickly to continue safely serving our communities. […]
By Kim Carroll on January 8, 2021
CEO
Heart to Heart International
As a humanitarian organization located in Lenexa, Kansas, Heart to Heart International (HHI) focuses on providing crisis relief and improving access to health. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the two issues converged, and HHI responded to the public health crisis by providing improved access to medical supplies, testing, equipment, medicines, and more. In fact, HHI […]
By Nancy Osborn, Ph.D. on December 3, 2020
Psychologist/Trainer
KC Healthy Kids
The pandemic has brought greater focus on the inequities that exist in our communities. It appears that the inequities are only getting worse. Many have lost their jobs and are facing mounting bills and crucial concerns about housing, food, and basic necessities. The more fortunate and privileged are now working from home but may still […]
By Nancy Osborn, Ph.D. on December 2, 2020
Psychologist/Trainer
KC Healthy Kids
Early childhood education centers are among the hardest hit services during this current pandemic. Some have closed temporarily, and some have closed permanently. All of the centers have had to make major changes in their operations as they follow recommended guidelines for child care programs. There have also been major decreases in the number of […]
By Michael Kelley on November 10, 2020
Policy Coordinator
BikeWalkKC
Like towns and cities all over the world, Kansas City is experiencing a “bike boom” as the novel coronavirus rages on. With people working from home, kids attending school online, and families fighting cabin fever, many are turning to bikes as a way to get outside, exercise, and experience their neighborhoods. Local bike retailers report […]
By Jessica Kejr on September 17, 2020
Director of Programs and Client Collaboration Initiatives
Harvesters—The Community Food Network
Hunger is a solvable, social determinant of health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted various factors that drive deep health disparities in our communities. There is a renewed urgency to face these factors directly and address hunger as a health issue in a meaningful way. The 4th Annual Hunger-Free Healthcare Summit will engage in this important […]
By Anne F. Rauth, MBA on September 10, 2020
Marketing and Development Director
Mercy and Truth Medical Missions
Day in and day out, Mercy and Truth Medical Missions serves the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick. Our patients include the essential workers who have continued to serve the community at their own personal risk during this pandemic. When COVID-19 emerged in our region, our patients asked how they could […]
