Building Strong Family Connections in Kansas City

Last month, Total Man CDC partnered with the Kansas City HUD Regional Office, other federal, state and local agencies, and a host of community stakeholders for the third annual "Strong Families - Empowering Fathers, Mothers, and Children" celebration in Kansas City, MO. Over 200 families from the Housing Authority of Kansas City attended the free, family-friendly event that included games, activities, giveaways, and a guest appearance from KC Wolf, mascot for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs.

Great Plains Regional Administrator Jason Mohr and KC Wolf at Kansas City's Strong Families Celebration.

In keeping with HUD's Strong Families Initiative, families were connected to health, education, housing, job and other resources to expand economic opportunity and support self-sufficiency. The event also featured a variety of food trucks and sweet-treat stations for hungry participants.

As part of this year's Strong Families Initiative, Kansas City Regional Office and Financial Management Center staff wanted to help low-income PreK-5th-grade children get ready to learn. Employees donated dozens of new or gently used books that were distributed during the event.

"Providing access to books is the first step in helping children develop language and literacy skills to succeed in school and life," said Regional Administrator Jason Mohr. "It is equally important to support and celebrate "Strong Families" events that strengthen and empower families to achieve economic success."

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