2022 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Work and Life Skills Training Program

Organization

Wildflyer Coffee

Partner

Emerge

AVIVO

Contact Information

Work and Life Skills Training Program

Wildflyer Coffee3262 Minnehaha Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55406

Carley Kammerer

Founder and Executive Director

612.236.4978

More than 7,500 young people across Minnesota, many of them in the Twin Cities area, experience homelessness on any given night. A lack of stable employment is often the top barrier they face in getting and keeping permanent housing. Yet, research shows that people experiencing homelessness can and do succeed at work—if they’re given the opportunity to learn how.

The Work and Life Skills Training Program was created in 2020 by Wildflyer Coffee to address the growing challenges of youth homelessness and housing instability in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. This unique employment and life skills training program aims at helping teens and young adults find and maintain mainstream employment. Founded in 2017, Wildflyer Coffee is a nonprofit social enterprise.

Individuals ages 16–24 facing housing instability or homelessness participate in Wildflyer Coffee’s four-month paid program, which provides on-the-job training in either its brick-and-mortar coffee shop or its e-commerce and wholesale supplier stores. That training is paired with a professional work and life skills development curriculum that teaches crucial, transferrable soft skills such as customer service, professional communication, handling emotions in challenging settings, and teamwork. Participants also earn continuing education credit for courses such as Customer Service, Financial Literacy and Housing 101.

Toward the end of the program, they receive next-step career and educational counseling to help them identify their interests and guide them to the future of their choosing.

“Rather than providing temporary, short-term solutions that address symptoms rather than root causes, the Work and Life Skills Training Program creates a straightforward journey out of homelessness,” said Carley Kammerer, Founder and Executive Director of Wildflyer Coffee.

“Through our collaboration with our workforce, community development case management service and other partners, we’re demonstrating that we can provide social and financial benefits to youth experiencing homelessness—as well as to our larger community. We look forward to expanding Wildflyer Coffee with the opening of a second location in Minneapolis early in 2023, and to sharing our program with nonprofit leaders across the country.”

$15.00

hourly wages for program participants.

93%

of youth enter the program unemployed.

80%

of program graduates are either employed or enrolled in an educational opportunity and have been stably housed.

2022 Award Winners

2022 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Safer Tomorrows Road Map

Organization

Community Violence Intervention Center

Program

Safer Tomorrows Road Map

Partner

Grand Forks Public Schools

Contact Information

Safer Tomorrows Road Map

Community Violence Intervention Center211 S 4th Street
Grand Forks, ND 58201

Coiya Tompkins

President and Chief Executive Officer

701.746.0405

Violence against children and teens can have lifelong consequences, whether the violence stems from bullying and harassment online or by peers, maltreatment by family members or friends, or victimization and abuse by others in their community.

In fact, studies show that exposure to violence, especially at an early age, increases the risks of injury, delayed cognitive development, poor school performance and dropout, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and criminal behavior. Schools can offer an important space where children can learn and develop positive behaviors that could prevent violence in the first place.

The North Dakota-based Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) established programming with Grand Forks Public Schools (GFPS) in 2001 that led to the creation of the Safer Tomorrows Road Map—a groundbreaking and comprehensive program that provides healthy relationship education, violence prevention programs and therapy services to K–12 students. The goal of the Safer Tomorrows Road Map is to disrupt cultural norms and end interpersonal violence in two generations.

Stopping violence before it begins is paramount to CVIC’s mission. Founded in 1980, CVIC is the only organization in the region to holistically address the community-wide issue of interpersonal violence by supporting adult and child survivors, as well as community bystanders and the individuals who have caused harm.

“Safe and supportive school environments positively impact academic, behavioral and mental health outcomes for students. The Safer Tomorrows Road Map leverages its partnership with GFPS to ensure that children and teens receive a prevention-centered curriculum focused on building healthy relationships in age-appropriate ways,” said Coiya Tompkins, President and CEO of CVIC.

“Using an evidence-based and evidence-informed curriculum, we’re helping students enhance their communication, conflict-management and problem-solving skills, and assisting them in building positive family and peer-to-peer relationships. Our Safer Tomorrows Road Map has received national recognition for creating a cultural shift in how schools and communities can equip children for a better life, free from violence. We look forward to helping other school districts to replicate this program and its success.”

85%

of students showed an increase in their understanding of healthy relationships.

90%

of youth in therapy sessions said they have experienced increased emotional well-being.

reduction in reported dating violence since 2020.

I feel less stressed with things than I would before, because I can talk about them with someone who is confidential.”
Student

Grand Forks Public Schools

2022 Award Winners

2022 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative

Organization

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri

Program

Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative

Partner

Five prominent law firms in St. Louis, Missouri

Contact Information

Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri2700 N 14th Street
St. Louis, MO 63106

Peter Hoffman

Managing Attorney of the Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative

314.256.8778

Soaring home prices in cities like New York and Los Angeles have drawn attention to the urgent need to increase the supply of affordable housing in the U.S. Yet, there is another serious drag on housing that demands attention: the growing number of vacant and abandoned properties that are threatening public safety, lowering property values and degrading the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods across the country.

In 2018, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (Legal Services) launched the Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative (NVI) to address the growing and intractable issue of neighborhood blight in St. Louis’ urban core. Now one of the largest pro bono community development efforts in the nation, NVI, in collaboration with five of St. Louis’ top law firms, provides access to free legal services to empower individuals and resident-led community associations to take control of their neighborhoods.

Since 1956, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has provided free civil (noncriminal) legal services designed to help individuals and families access safe, affordable housing, healthcare and public benefits; protect their children’s well-being; escape domestic violence; and resolve immigration issues.

Through its Neighborhood Vacancy Initiative, Legal Services staff members provide training to help its volunteer attorneys handle community action cases. At the same time, they also provide legal education to neighborhood associations and other community members.

“Parcel by parcel, block by block, we’re collaborating with our volunteer attorneys to help neighborhood advocates tackle disinvestment and displacement that feed the problem of neighborhood blight,” said Daniel K. Glazier, Executive Director of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.

“Resolving these and other issues around homeownership opens the door to economic development, neighborhood revitalization and business activity expansion that can improve the safety and quality of life for everyone in the community. NVI provides a clear example of how Legal Services can partner with private law firms to equip neighborhoods in cities across the country with the tools needed to drive equitable and inclusive recovery and growth.”

152

volunteer attorneys; 27 student interns.

8,658+

hours of pro bono services provided.

$1.7

million in free legal assistance for St. Louis neighborhoods.

We had an apartment building that caught fire. A lot of times in our neighborhood, when buildings catch on fire, they just stay burnt out. We reached out to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri to ask, ‘What can be done about this?’ It’s good to have that relationship where they’ll get back to us and give us some information.”
Tonnie Glispie-Smith

Homeowner

2022 Award Winners

2022 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Give Items of Value

Organization

United Way of the Plains

Program

Give Items of Value

Partner

Good360

Contact Information

Give Items of Value

United Way of the Plains245 N Water Street
Wichita, KS 67202

Pete Najera

President and Chief Executive Officer

316.267.1321

Each year, excess inventory and unsold goods pile up in warehouses, offices and stores, taking up valuable space and creating a serious financial drag on manufacturers and retailers. What if companies could make better use of unwanted and returned stock—and benefit others at the same time?

United Way of the Plains launched the Give Items of Value (GIV) program in 1984 to create a bridge between national retailers and other big businesses with excess inventory and nonprofit organizations in south central Kansas whose tight budgets limit their ability to purchase critical supplies to support their mission. Working in collaboration with Good360, which sources truckloads of unwanted merchandise from for-profit organizations, United Way of the Plains receives surplus inventory in its 11,000-square-foot warehouse. Volunteers then inventory, sort and stock donated items so that schools, 501(c) organizations and other nonprofit organizations can “shop” for the items they need, free of charge.

United Way of the Plains was founded in 1922 to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of the community so that all individuals and families can achieve their full human potential. A century later, the organization’s collective impact continues to grow. For every dollar donated, United Way of the Plains creates $2.20 worth of impact within the community.

“The Give Items of Value program plays a critical role in the nonprofit landscape in south central Kansas,” said Pete Najera, CEO and President of United Way of the Plains.

“By donating excess goods, corporate America can reduce inventory in a socially responsible way and earn tax benefits. Nonprofits can maximize the dollars going to their direct services by accessing highly needed items at no charge. And communities can be strengthened as excess retail items, from office supplies and electronics to furniture and personal needs products, are put into the hands of individuals and families who need them most. Through replication of this program nationwide, Give Items of Value demonstrates how strong partnerships can help drive innovative solutions to some of society’s toughest social issues.”

$2.6 million

in goods distributed in 2022.

246

nonprofit agency shoppers.

17.75

semi-truck loads of donations received from the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Park City, KS.

I enjoy telling people in the business community about this unique program. They are always so impressed that their single financial donation is leveraged to help nearly 250 nonprofit agencies meet the tangible needs of their clients while simultaneously lowering their expenses.”
Pete Najera

President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of the Plains

2022 Award Winners

2022 Frances R. Hesselbein Award Recipient

Child Advocate Program

Organization

Young Center for Immigrant
Children’s Rights

Program

Child Advocate Program

Partner

Bethany House of Hospitality (for young women)

Viator House of Hospitality (for young men)

Contact Information

Child Advocate Program

Young Center for Immigrant
Children’s Rights2245 S Michigan Avenue
Suite 301
Chicago, IL 60616

Marisa Chumil

Child Advocate Program Co-Director

773.571.8334

Each year, thousands of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children flee violence and other life-threatening circumstances, making an often-perilous journey to the U.S. with the hopes of finding a safer, more secure future. Once in government custody, these children must navigate an immigration system that does not have to consider their safety or best interests when deciding whether they’ll be sent back to the country they left.

The Child Advocate Program was founded in 2004 by the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights to protect and advance the rights of children who arrive in the U.S. on their own. It is the only program in the nation that provides independent Child Advocates to support unaccompanied and separated immigrant children involved in deportation proceedings.

The Young Center is a national human rights organization founded in Chicago, Illinois, with eight regional offices serving 18 states. Their specially trained, bilingual/bicultural Child Advocates work with Young Center staff attorneys and social workers to understand each child’s unique story and develop an appropriate advocacy plan. They accompany children to immigration court and advocate for their rights, wishes and best interests in every decision made about their lives. They also work alongside Young Center staff to determine what legal, medical, mental health, educational and social services the child may need to support them.

“With the number of unaccompanied children in immigration custody increasing, the need for legal and social services to protect their rights and well-being is even more urgent,” said Marisa Chumil, Co-Director of the Child Advocate Program.

“Our advocacy for youth at risk of entering adult detention centers depends upon the strong partnerships we’ve built with organizations such as the Bethany House of Hospitality and the Viator House of Hospitality, which provide safe housing to youth close to turning 18 years old. Our Child Advocate Program ensures that immigrant children seeking protection and safety in the U.S. receive the essential advocacy services they need to heal and thrive.”

700+

Volunteer Child Advocates.

6,634

unaccompanied and separated immigrant children served since 2004.

80%

of Young Center’s "best interests" determinations are granted.

Viator House of Hospitality counts its partnership with the Young Center as a major reason for its ability to welcome immigrant youth aging out of youth shelters. I don’t know where VHH would be without them.”
Michael Gosch

Director of Program and Housing, Viator House for Hospitality

2022 Award Winners

2022 National Award-Winning Program
Thomas J. Moran Award Recipient

Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program

Organization

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs

Program

Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program

Partner

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Read Transcript

Watch Documentary

Contact Information

Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs254 Ranch Trail
Rockwall, TX 75032

Lori Stevens

Founder and Executive Director

972.772.3282

For many of our nation’s brave Veterans, the lingering consequences of service-related injuries and emotional trauma can make the transition from active duty to civilian life an overwhelming struggle. A specially trained service dog can be a lifesaver to Veterans, helping them to perform everyday tasks; easing their stress, anxiety and depression; and restoring their confidence so they can reclaim the life they deserve.

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs was founded in 2006 with a mission to provide service dogs of the highest quality, at no cost, to American Veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country, as well as to others with mobility disabilities. Recognizing the growing need for service dogs, Patriot PAWS expanded its service dog training program in 2008 through a unique partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).

The Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program engages inmates in raising and training service dogs for the benefit of our nation’s heroes. Participants learn how to teach all the basic service dog behaviors and are tested quarterly to determine their ability to train in the cues required for service dog certification. At the same time, incarcerated women and men are given the opportunity to give back to their community, while also building valuable skills that could lead to gainful employment when they re-enter society.

“Most people understand how important a service dog can be, but a service dog brings even more to a Veteran’s quality of life,” said Lori Stevens, Founder and Executive Director of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs.

“As Veterans regain lost independence and emotional stability, they may find new purpose in life, and their communities may once again benefit from the unique skills and experience they offer. We are pleased to be sharing with other organizations all that we’ve learned about training service dogs so that we can support the needs of even more Veterans and help restore their hope for a brighter future.”

395+

inmates have participated in the Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program.

400

service dogs have graduated from the program.

18–24

months it takes to train a service dog.

Bonnie Sue is a wonderful companion and friend. She amazes me daily with all the ways she can push past my depression and anxiety to bring me back to the present. I’m glad Bonnie Sue chose me to rescue.”
Stacy, Army SPC, on her service dog

2022 Award Winners

2021 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

North Market

Organization

Pillsbury United Communities

Program

North Market

Partner

North Memorial Health

Contact Information

North Market

Pillsbury United Communities3650 Fremont Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55412

Julie Brauninger
Director of Institutional Giving

612.302.3429

Fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods shouldn’t be a luxury. However, for millions of American families living in so-called “food deserts,” with limited access to affordable nutritious food, they often are.

In 2017, Pillsbury United Communities, one of Minnesota’s most well-established nonprofit organizations, partnered with North Memorial Health (NMH) to create North Market—a nonprofit grocery and wellness center that is specifically designed to address the persistent food insecurity and health issues in the underserved community of North Minneapolis.

The symmetry of purpose these two organizations share has helped further North Market’s success. With more than 140 years of service to diverse communities across the Twin Cities and beyond, Pillsbury United’s mission is to co-create enduring change toward a just society where every person can thrive. This includes addressing the disparities in health and wealth that many communities face as a result of decades of disinvestment and systemic racism. NMH is a local network of 26 specialty and primary care clinics, urgent and emergency care offerings, medical transportation services, and two hospitals focused on providing friendly, knowledgeable healthcare to the people who live and work in the community.

What began as a community-centered conversation about food access in North Minneapolis—an urban neighborhood with just one supermarket to serve 67,000 residents—quickly became a larger plan to help its residents understand and address significant food-related health issues, such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, that plague their community. A more holistic concept emerged, and North Market opened its doors as a community-based destination for health screening, culturally relevant health education and healthy food options.

“We’re now in our fourth year of operation, and North Market continues to nourish and heal the residents of North Minneapolis,” said Adair Mosley, President and CEO of Pillsbury United Communities. “Pillsbury United’s five outdoor urban farms and one solar-powered hydroponic farm, plus other North Minneapolis community farmers, help to ensure year-round access to healthy produce.”

One of the best things about North Market is that they made it their mission to employ residents of North Minneapolis. North Market is more than a grocery store; it’s a community resource for health and wellness. I’m there almost every day!”

Tavia from Minneapolis

2,000+

Pounds of produce grown by Pillsbury United Communities and sold at North Market in 2020.

50%

Produce at North Market is half-price on Wednesdays, thanks to public and private funding.

Partnering with North Market has been beneficial to my business and the community. They’ve enabled our company to provide affordable fitness, wellness and nutrition through grant programming, safe wellness space, and support through the pandemic. We are grateful for their partnership and continuous support.”
Chaz Sandifer

Founder, theNEWmpls

2022 Award Winners

2021 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

HomeAid® WORKS

Organization

HomeAid® America

Program

HomeAid® WORKS

Partner

Colorado Homebuilding Academy

Constructing Hope

TEACH Construction

Six HomeAid affiliates from across the country

West Adams WorkSource Center

Contact Information

HomeAid® WORKS

HomeAid® AmericaPO Box 53156
Irvine, CA 92619

Laura McKenna
Development Director

949.777.1660

It is said that difficult situations inspire ingenious solutions. When it comes to HomeAid® America and the creation of their HomeAid® WORKS program, this phrase could not be more true.

For 32 years, HomeAid® has been an integral part of the fight to end homelessness in our country. A leading nonprofit developer of housing and programmatic facilities, it operates through a network of 19 affiliates in 13 states with the mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement and education.

HomeAid® recognized that its construction partners were being slowed by a shortage of qualified workers. In 2019, it responded with HomeAid® WORKS (Workforce Opportunities for Rebuilding through Knowledge and Skills). This innovative workforce development program answers both the need for more housing solutions and for better-trained construction workers by linking job training and education with a pathway to secure, high-paying jobs in construction.

Students are recommended to the WORKS program through HomeAid®’s partnerships with nonprofit social services providers. HomeAid® then helps these individuals to overcome obstacles to their success with scholarships, transportation and childcare assistance, tools, training materials and access to computers. Leveraging partnerships with construction curriculum/education providers, training facilities and job placement specialists, HomeAid® then helps WORKS graduates to enter and advance in the construction industry.

At the same time, WORKS benefits its construction industry partners by creating a pipeline of well-trained and knowledgeable job seekers who can help employers improve the quality and diversity of their workforce, minimize worksite delays and enhance their competitive edge.

“HomeAid® WORKS offers a road map to a better future for some of our country’s most vulnerable individuals,” said Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid® America. “This year, three more affiliates have joined us, replicating the program in Houston and in San Diego and Inland Empire, California. With potential expansion to Austin and Atlanta expected next year, HomeAid® WORKS is inspiring individuals from all walks of life to break the cycle of homelessness in America.”

HomeAid® has helped me really determine what career path I wanted. I came in here with zero knowledge and no idea what construction was. The one-on-one help they provide was something that really helped me a lot. They actually care about you and want you to succeed.”

Darwin from Denver

90%

Percentage of homebuilders who cite the labor shortage as an issue.

187

Number of students who have graduated since 2019;

(78% are minorities and 22% are women)

The WORKS program is a blessing to the West Adams WorkSource Center. Their construction program is a new paradigm, not only providing in-house training, but also placing students and helping them to get employment. The only way we’re able to do this is through our partnership with HomeAid®. Their wonderful WORKS program is helping us to change lives.”
Joel Jacinto

Business Service Representative, Asian American Drug and Alcohol Program,
West Adams WorkSource Center

2022 Award Winners

2021 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Clean Water for Carolina Kids

Organization

RTI International

Program

Clean Water for Carolina Kids

Partner

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services / Division of Public Health

Duke Environmental Law and Policy Center

NC Child

Contact Information

Clean Water for Carolina Kids

RTI International3040 East Cornwallis Road
Durham, NC 27709

Jennifer Hoponick Redmon
MSES, MPA, CHMM
Senior Environmental Health Scientist and Program Director

919.541.6000

Infants and children need access to safe drinking water. Yet, the health of millions of our youngest citizens may be at risk because of toxic lead in the piping and plumbing in the childcare centers and schools where they play and learn.

Today, Clean Water for Carolina Kids is making critical advancements in protecting children from lead exposure. Launched in 2017 by RTI, an independent nonprofit research institute, Clean Water for Carolina Kids began as a community-based pilot study to engage and train school administrators in testing for and tracking lead contamination with a simple but groundbreaking mail-out test kit and a cloud-based enrollment and reporting portal. The study found that lead was present in water, above the American Academy of Pediatrics reference level, at 63% of the childcare centers and schools tested.

RTI is dedicated to improving the human condition through science-based solutions. Its team of nearly 6,000 experts works collaboratively with outside organizations to address complex social and scientific challenges on behalf of communities and businesses around the world.

Leveraging local connections, RTI partnered with various organizations to evaluate legal, regulatory and economic options for statewide lead testing. Together with input from outside stakeholders, RTI and its partners successfully updated North Carolina’s statewide childcare sanitation rule to require all licensed childcare centers to test for lead in water being used for drinking and food preparation.

“Clean Water for Carolina Kids is the first program to make available large-scale, yet scientifically robust, lead-in-water testing, while empowering school and childcare administrators as ‘citizen scientists,’” said Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, a senior environmental health scientist and program director at RTI International. “This year, we expanded the program throughout public schools in Georgia and with private well-owners across the U.S. We are elated that it has become a model for eliminating childhood exposure to lead and other contaminants. With federal funding, this testing is free to all participants.”

Our school was built in the 1940s, long before a federal rule came along in 1986 and banned lead use in pipes and fittings. Clean Water for Carolina Kids provided testing kits that were a great resource for us to make sure that the kids in our building were safe.”

Hannah Bradshaw Coordinator, Onslow County Elementary Schools Pre-K Child Care Centers

94%

Percent of 4,400 licensed childcare centers in North Carolina that have participated in the program.

230,000+

North Carolina children (ages 6 and younger) who now have access to safe drinking water.

As a result of Clean Water for Carolina Kids’ unique citizen scientist approach to collecting water samples, more than 94% of licensed childcare centers in North Carolina have already completed testing. No other state in the Southeast has reached this level of testing to assure safe drinking water for children.”
Ed Norman

MPH, Program Manager, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services,
Environmental Health Section

2022 Award Winners

2021 Honorable Mention Award Recipient

Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project

Organization

Legal Aid of Western Missouri

Program

Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project

Partner

Seven prominent law firms in Kansas City, MO

Contact Information

Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project

Legal Aid of Western Missouri4001 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64130

Kayla Hogan
Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project Director

816.474.9868

A roof sags over broken windows. Strips of wood are missing from the rotting front porch. The sign on the door warns: Danger! Keep Out. In cities across the U.S., urban neighborhoods are struggling with an epidemic of vacant and abandoned buildings along with economic disinvestment and the quality-of-life, health and safety concerns that often accompany urban blight.

In 2015, Legal Aid of Western Missouri created the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project, a groundbreaking initiative helping to transform seven distressed neighborhoods within Kansas City’s urban core into vibrant, thriving communities. The first program of its kind in the country, Adopt-A-Neighborhood provides access to pro bono legal services to individuals, neighborhood associations and other nonprofit organizations through a unique collaboration with seven of the city’s top private law firms.

This initiative is in keeping with Legal Aid’s primary mission to improve the lives of those in need through quality legal assistance. Founded in 1964, Legal Aid provides a range of free, holistic, civil (noncriminal) legal services designed to help clients with low incomes to access healthcare and public benefits; escape abuse and human trafficking; resolve immigration issues; access safe, stable housing; and spur community and economic development.

Members of Legal Aid’s staff provide training to help attorneys who volunteer for the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project to handle community economic development cases. At the same time, Legal Aid provides legal education to neighborhood associations and other community members.

“The goal of the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project is to help stabilize housing, return vacant properties to productive use and improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods,” said Kayla Hogan, the Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project Director. “It provides a clear example of how Legal Aid can partner with private law firms to provide a pathway for residential development, community revitalization and economic security for underserved communities and their residents. Based on the success of this in Kansas City, the project has been replicated in St. Louis and is being considered by other cities across the U.S.”

The Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project has helped the Tri-Blenheim Neighborhood Association (TBNA) to reduce vacant and abandoned properties in our area and has provided TBNA with invaluable tools including housing court representation, knowledge of the complete housing rehab process and a better understanding of city codes and regulations. In just over a year, five properties have been rehabbed in the TBNA area.”

Charles Kennedy President, Tri-Blenheim Neighborhood Association

400+

Cases opened to date on behalf of neighborhood associations and individuals in Kansas City’s urban core.

11,000+

Pro bono hours of legal service committed to-date by program partners.

130+

Volunteer attorneys from seven of Kansas City’s top law firms.

The Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project has empowered various neighborhood associations to take an active role in neighborhood improvement efforts. The end result of the project has been to help restore neighborhoods, attract new residents to the neighborhoods and address various neighborhood legal needs.”
R.B. Miller, III

Senior Counsel, Lathrop GPM LLP

2022 Award Winners

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