Your Chamber at Work - September 25, 2023

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

It’s no secret that there’s a workforce crunch – we’ve been hearing that from our members for a while now. There’s an effort underway in response to that you need to know about: KC Scholars.

KC Scholars is working to move 50,000 Kansas Citians from unemployment or underemployment to high-paying jobs. KC Scholars President & CEO Earl Phalen talked about it recently with the KC Chamber Board. As he told us, “The best social program is a job with great benefits.”

KC Scholars has two tracks: get a degree or get credentialed. KC Scholars is providing college scholarships to 775 11th graders along with wraparound support to the students. The results have been impressive: those young people are graduating at three times the national rate.

KC Scholars is now offering what they call “Great Jobs.” It’s a one year, tuition-free training program in one of four areas: manufacturing, construction, IT, or health/life sciences. It’s for adults (minimum 17 years of age) who are making under $45,000 a year. In addition to the training, KC Scholars helps those student deal with obstacles like childcare and transportation. Again, results have been impressive: so far, 80 percent of graduating participants have moved into jobs paying $45,000 or more. There are 300 graduates so far and 2000 in the program.

If you’re looking for skilled workers, KC Scholars can help in a variety of ways and we encourage you to connect. To contact them, click here.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING AT STARLIGHT

Join us October 6 for our next Neighborhood Networking, this time at the historic Starlight Theatre. Not only will you enjoy the usual refreshments, networking, and maybe win one of the raffle prizes, you’ll also get a tour of Starlight’s backstage (quite a different view from what you see as an audience member!)

Starlight opened in 1950 with a celebration of Kansas City’s 100th birthday (which included showing off the first train to cross the Hannibal Bridge, mounted on special rails). Today, Starlight is one of only two major self-producing outdoor theatres in the country.

We hope to see you there – Friday, October 6, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Starlight Theatre in Swope Park. It’s free for Chamber members; $15 for non-members. Register here.

And thanks to our overall networking sponsor, Delta Dental. Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Rock CFO, Southwest Airlines, and Unbound.

HEALTHY KC NETWORKING FORUM

Supporting and encouraging wellness in the workplace has a whole host of benefits, including increasing productivity, improving morale, reducing healthcare costs, and improving attendance.

The Chamber’s Healthy KC Networking Forums bring together people committed to workplace wellness for networking and learning.

Join us for our next networking forum on Wednesday, October 11 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Miller Group, 903 East 104th Street, Suite 800, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The focus of the forum this time is on the personal health resources employers can provide. These resources are constantly evolving, and on October 11, you’ll hear from a panel on how business leaders in our region manage their organizations' personal health resources and how it impacts their business and the health of their employees. Time for networking is also included. Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City for their sponsorship of Healthy KC.

The forum is free to attend, but please let us know you’re coming by registering here.

CONNECT TO LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

Volunteering: a great way to add to your resume, build skills, and gain experience, all while benefiting your community.

Find out more at KC Connections, the genKC event that connects early career professionals with leadership and volunteer opportunities for KC’s leading nonprofits and others. Whether you’re looking for board positions, volunteering, or just making connections, this is your chance to grow your network all while enjoying light appetizers, drinks, and a beautiful Kansas City event space.

Any number of organizations will be on hand: Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, Reconciliation Services, MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), Ronald McDonald House Charities of KC and Friends of the House, HopeKids Kansas City, The Nelson Atkins Friends of Art Council, HALO, Jackson County CASA, Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Flourish Furniture Bank, The Single Mom KC, ArtsKC - Regional Arts Council, Next Paige Foundation, genKC, and Connext. (Connext is our co-host for the event.)

KC Connections is set for Thursday, October 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Country Club Bank, 1 Ward Parkway, in KCMO. Admission is just $5; register here.

BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE TO FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS

How do you get started when you want your business to become more involved in the community? How do you find the time and resources when staffing is limited? And how does your bottom line and business strategy affect community engagement?

Those questions and more will be answered by a panel of leaders known for their community service commitment when you join us at the Chamber’s “Business Case for Community Engagement: Why and How to Give Back.”

The panel includes: Lenora Leathers, Savvy Salon KC and Small Business Superstar; Chase McAnulty, Charlie Hustle and 2021 Mr. K Small Business of the Year; Nancy Phelps, JE Dunn Construction; 
Amber Reed, Resolve Counseling & Wellness, 2023 Small Business Equity Winner; Macaela Stephenson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; and Mario Urquilla, LEAD Bank , 2018 Mr. K Small Business of the Year. LaVon Colhour of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation will moderate.

The Business Case for Community Engagement will be held October 17 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the KC Chamber Board Room at Union Station. (We’ll provide a light breakfast.) Admission is free, but please register here (limit two people per company). This event is designed specifically for for-profit businesses.