Community development workshop to focus on community, neighborhood issues

Abandoned property, healthy communities and grocery stores, and using arts to create community are all on the agenda at the 2016 Community Development Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 6.

The annual workshop has attracted up to 600 residents and representatives from organizations working in community development and neighborhood revitalization for the last three years. This year’s event is a partnership of Community Capital Fund (CCF), Greater Kansas City LISC, KC Healthy Kids, and Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in sessions on  financial best practices for organizations, volunteer engagement and management, and creating partnerships with faith-based institutions, among other topics.

“This workshop highlights the good things happening in our city and offers the opportunity for residents, neighborhood leaders, community development organizations, and public agencies to connect with each other, exchange ideas and gain new skills and information,” says Amanda Wilson, Program Manager of CCF and lead organizer of the workshop. “Participants take the knowledge and connections from the workshop back to their neighborhoods to make them safer, healthier, and more engaged.”

The agenda for the 2016 workshop includes ten different panel sessions and trainings; a networking session; information booths; and keynote addresses by Bridget McCandless, President and CEO of Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Stephen Samuels, Executive Director of Greater Kansas City LISC, and Heather McMann, Executive Director of Groundwork Lawrence in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

New this year is a special half-day urban real estate development track led by Mike Grube, Director of Development for Yarco Companies and Adjunct Professor at University of Kansas on Friday, February 5^th.

Details

• Saturday, February 6, 2016, at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, 4801 Rockhill Rd.
• The workshop runs 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 6^th. The Friday real estate track is 8:30 a.m. to noon on February 5^th. More than 200 participants are expected to attend, and registration is filling up fast. The Saturday workshop is free to attend, however registration is required.
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