Community LINC provides transitional housing for homeless families in the Kansas City area. Our mission is to develop self-sufficient families and communities. We accomplish this through our Supportive Housing Program, which adheres to our guiding beliefs:
- Community LINC believes in the individual and provides programming to build on the strengths of program participants.
- Community LINC believes in the power of God and believes that all people are a part of God’s creation and, as such, have a right to acceptance and support.
- Community LINC recognizes human dignity, independence, and self-determination as basic human rights.
- Community LINC believes in the power of community and in volunteerism and, as such, incorporates community members into their programs and services and works to integrate families into the communities in which they live
Supportive Housing
Community LINC's Supportive Housing program is a structured transitional housing program for homeless families. The overall mission of the program is to help these families become self-sufficient by providing the tools they need to break the cycle of homelessness in their lives. With the advocacy and support of the family coaches and budgeters of Community LINC, our residents are required to reduce or eliminate debt; and establish and maintain a savings account so that home ownership or other permanent housing become real options.
Coaching:
As they enter the program, each family is assigned a family coach whose primary role is to assist the family with identifying and realizing their short- and long-term goals. Through weekly meetings, coaches help the families work through challenges, celebrate successes, and gain invaluable skills and tools necessary for maintaining self-sufficiency.
Budgeting:
All program participants are required to save 50% of their total income and budget the remaining amount. Because most of our residents have never budgeted before, they are assigned a budgeter who assists them with establishing a workable budget. In addition, the budgeter works with the family to prioritize and payoff past debts.
Counseling:
Homelessness and the factors that lead to it often take a tremendous toll on those who experience it. To address these issues, participants meet weekly with a therapist who provides support, encouragement and guidance through this very frightening and difficult time.
Life Skills Training:
Life Skills Training is designed to provide families the additional tools they need to live self-sufficient lives. From effective parenting, to interviewing techniques, to goal setting, participants are provided training and information that will enable them to be successful on a day-to-day basis.
Healthy Lifestyles:
Healthy Lifestyles, offered through our Mental Health Department, educates Community LINC residents in how to lead healthy and satisfying lives. These classes go beyond healthy eating and meal preparation, covering many topics helping participants make positive, healthy choices.
Children's Program:
Targeting three age groups--Infants & Toddlers, Elementary, and Teens--this program is designed to assist children in such areas as basic life skills, tutoring, mentoring, and early education. The goal is to equip children with the tools and skills they need to break the pattern of generational poverty and homelessness.
FAQ's
What is Community LINC's mission?
Developing Self-Sufficient Families and Communities.
Why is the work of Community LINC necessary and why should I care?
- At any given time there is an average of at least 60 families on our waiting list.
- There are 30,478 homeless children in the state of Missouri (2008 MO Report Card on Child Homelessness: www.HomelessChildrenAmerica.org)
- Less than 25% of homeless children graduate high school (2008 MO Report Card on Child Homelessness)
- More than 50% of the homeless population is comprised of homeless families (2008 MO Report Card on Child Homelessness)
- Community LINC sheltered and served 124 children and 49 adults in 2008.
What makes Community LINC different from other homeless shelters?
Community LINC is more successful than other transitional housing programs in Kansas City. 75%, or 3 out of 4 of our residents, will leave for a permanent home. That is nearly 10% higher than any other transitional housing program in KC. Applicants undergo a stringent assessment process, which includes drug testing, and are required to prove their willingness to investment in themselves and the program before we partner with them. Once in the program, residents are helped to set long term life goals, such as debt reduction, home ownership, or further education.
Who benefits from the work of Community LINC?
All of us! After 3 months in the program, most of our residents obtain full time employment, and are able to begin working towards financial stability. As they become tax-paying citizens, they break the cycle of dependence upon public assistance.
Who has reviewed and endorsed Community LINC's work?
We are a United Way agency, a Reviewed Agency of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, and met Continuum of Care's Gold Standard for transitional housing. We partner with other non-profits and governmental agencies: Department of Housing and Urban Development, Local Investment Commission, Full Employment Council.
What are some ways Community LINC has succeeded?
- More than 46 of our families have purchased their own homes.
- More than 500 families have moved to self-sufficiency.
- In the past 5 years, 83% of our program graduates continue to live independently, and 77.6% remain employed full time.
- We have expanded our services to include play therapy to Community LINC children.
How long has Community LINC been around?
We were founded in 1988.
Where is Community LINC located?
In the urban core, northeast of the Plaza. We have six buildings with a total of 24 apartments.