KC Common Good

The Common Good Fund was founded by KC Common Good to aid those impacted by violence in the Greater Kansas City region. The Fund provides compensation to eligible victims of certain violent crimes in Greater Kansas City and their families.

Working For Youth is a model derived from an evidence-based youth employment program established in Omaha, Nebraska, called STEP UP. In 2008, Omaha experienced the most violent year in recorded history. In an effort to prevent violence, a grassroots nonprofit mobilized and aligned diverse, public and private partnerships to engage young people who did not have access to employment opportunities. Omaha has witnessed high school graduation rates increases from 64 to 81 percent, a 74 percent decrease in violent crime, and the city nationally rose from the 84th worst to the 2nd best unemployment rate for African Americans. The summer program is designed to provide a continuum of services and workforce development. Participants will have a 6 week internships. All youth are matched with a coach/mentor and will meet with that individual for a minimum of one hour per week. In the first week of the program, training will be provided to both youth and employers, with a significant component of both trainings being Trauma-Informed Care. Working For Youth, in concert with key partners, matched 427 east Kansas City youth (high crime zip codes: 64126, 64127, 64128, 64129, 64130, 64132), ages 14 to 18, with 89 employers and mentors based on career interest the first year.

Developed from the Empowerment Network's Omaha 360 model, KC Common Good will convene and facilitate a weekly anti-violence crime prevention collective providing real-time solutions to reduce gun violence through a collaborative approach to improve community/police trust.