Patterson Family Foundation logo featuring a windmill illustration, "EST. 2007," "RURAL USA," and foundation name in bold text—supporting the vision of the 2026 adult learner.
A blue shield-shaped badge for Ford County with the words "Great Jobs" in bold white letters, divided between a dark blue upper half and a lighter blue lower half.

Together we are making an impact across the region but we are just getting started!

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

A 2026 adult learner in a black dress shirt and vest stands outdoors with arms crossed, smiling confidently in front of a stone building.

Dear Members of the Board,

We wanted to share our progress with you to celebrate this transformative chapter in the Great Jobs KC journey: our expansion into rural communities. This milestone has been made possible through the extraordinary generosity, shared vision, and steadfast encouragement of the Patterson Family Foundation.

For years, Great Jobs KC has focused on bridging economic gaps and empowering individuals through targeted tuition assistance, workforce training, and job placement. Yet, we knew that talent and determination are not bound by geographic lines, even if resources sometimes are. Guided by your organization’s deep commitment to rural vitality, we have successfully extended our programming beyond urban boundaries, breaking down barriers to career pathways and sustainable, family-supporting wages for rural residents.

Below is a comprehensive recap of our recent momentum. We highlight the localized outreach strategies that have allowed us to embed our team within these close-knit communities, the strategic partnerships forged with regional employers, and the incredible resilience of our newest participants. From high school students mapping out their post-secondary pathways to adults re-skilling for high-demand industries, the impact of your investment is already taking root in profound ways.

Because of your vision, families will achieve long-term financial security, local economies will be fortified from within, and the entire landscape of regional workforce development will evolve. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and your belief in our mission. Together, we are proving that no matter where someone calls home, a life-changing career should always be within reach.

Thank you for walking alongside us in our mission.

With deepest gratitude,

Earl

great jobs

staff spotlight

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a white sleeveless top and a necklace, smiles at the camera against a plain white background, ready to share Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
FORD COUNTY: Darlin Rayo is our Career Resources Manager in Ford County. She brings a strong background in community partnership development.
A woman with long wavy hair smiles at the camera in what appears to be a store aisle, sharing excitement about recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
FORD COUNTY: Mariana Landa is our Scholar Advocate in Ford County. She has over five years experience in customer service and operations, she is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Young man with medium-length brown hair and a beard smiles at the camera while wearing a white button-up shirt, set against a neutral background, ready to share Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
NODAWAY COUNTY: Christian Dixon is our Scholar Advocate in Nodaway County. He is originally from Hamilton, Missouri with a B.S. in History and a M.A. in Strategic Communication.
A woman with curly blonde hair, wearing a green top, smiles at the camera against a dark background, reflecting the optimism brought by Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
NODAWAY COUNTY: Michelle Gebhards is our Admissions Recruiter in Nodaway County. She lives in Rockport, Missouri and has extensive experience in sales and account management.

great jobs

media

Two people wearing "Great Jobs" shirts stand side by side and smile for a photo in a newspaper article featuring Rotarian meeting updates and Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
NODAWAY COUNTY Newspaper:
Atchison County Mail reporting on Great Jobs presentation to the Atchison County Rotary Club
Logo for Patterson Family Foundation with text announcing Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates: a grant to expand a skills training program to three Missouri counties starting April 2026.
Newsletter banner included in our monthly newsletter to over 68,000 recipients.
A promotional graphic announces Great Jobs KC expansion to Ford County, Kansas and Nodaway County, Missouri, with two people in work attire, logos for Great Jobs KC and Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
We shared the news of your generous investment in our mission across our social media channels.

great jobs

training partnerships

working together to train scholars for their future

Dodge City Public Schools logo featuring interlocking red and white letters "DC" on a blue background, surrounded by a beige ring with the district's name—representing education in Ford County.

FORD COUNTY
We are working alongside Dodge City Public Schools and their CTE programming to put juniors and seniors on a path to their future.

Dodge City Community College logo featuring a purple and gold shield with a stylized road, sun, and wheat, highlighting its proud connection to Ford County, with the college name beneath.

FORD COUNTY
We are working with Dodge City Community College to provide the following programs for seniors in dual enrollment at Dodge City High School:
- Agriculture - Building Contruction - Diesel Tech - Early Childhood Development - HVAC - Cosmetology - CNA - Welding - Automotive Tech - Industrial Maintenance

North Central Missouri College logo featuring a black anchor inside a red and white shield above the college name in bold black text, highlighting the latest Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

NODAWAY COUNTY
We are working with North Central Missouri College to provide the following programs for Scholars in NW Missouri:
- Robotics and Maintenance Certificate - Instustrial Maintenance Skills Certificate - Practical Nursing Certificate - Behaviorial Health Support Certificate

Logo with wind turbines, a gear, a flaming phoenix, and a wrench, featuring "Tarkio Tech" below—symbolizing innovation and progress as highlighted in Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

NODAWAY COUNTY
We are working with Tarkio Technical College to provide the following programs for Scholars in NW Missouri:
- Plumbing - Wind Energy - HVAC - Welding - Pipe Welding and Fabrication - Summer Welding - CNA

great jobs

employer partnerships

New employer partners - FORD COUNTY

City of Dodge City logo with stylized text on a tan background, featuring a faint star and silhouettes of buildings at the bottom. Includes Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates for added community support.

We have signed an agreement with the City of Dodge City as an employer partner. They should have up to 15 positions open quarterly, including Public Works: Sanitation Drivers, Water Utilities Workers, and Street Maintenance. Parks and Recreation: Landscaping, Forestry, Parks Maintenance. Facilities: Fleet Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, Transportation Drivers. Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and EMTs.

Express Employment Professionals logo with tagline "Respecting People. Impacting Business." beneath the company name as Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars.

We have signed an agreement with Express, a staffing agency that places dozens of candidates weekly in light industrial, manufacturing, professional, and administrative roles.

POTENTIAL employer partners - NODAWAY COUNTY

Altec logo with a yellow geometric symbol to the left and the word "Altec" in bold black letters to the right, featured alongside recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
Mosaic Life Care logo with the letter "O" in "MOSAIC" depicted as a colorful mosaic circle, featured alongside Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

Working on a partnership to enhance their tuition-assistance program for incumbent workers by Great Jobs providing funding for LPN application and TEAS exam costs.

Logo featuring a house inside a heart outline with a bird flying and sun in the background, labeled “Village Care Center” underneath, inspired by recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
Community Hospital Fairfax logo with two green curved lines above the name, reflecting recent growth inspired by Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
Red Kawasaki logo with a stylized "K" above the word "Kawasaki" in red text on a white background, featured alongside Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.
Large blue letters "NCS" with "Nodaway County Services" in bold black text across the center on a light background, highlighting recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

We are working on co-sponsorship to upskill incumbent workers with behavioral health certifications. We are in discussions with North Central Missouri College to determine whether their program is a good fit for upskilling and/or whether they are willing to make employer-informed enhancements.

great jobs

community Partnerships

Community organizations - Nodaway County

Youth Alliance logo with stylized figures holding hands, text reads "YOUTH ALLIANCE St. Joseph, MO" in blue lettering—highlighting recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

We are working to combine WIOA funding with our support.

We are utilizing their facilites for workshops and meetings as well as receiving Scholar referrals.

great jobs

community engagement

building the relationships that will matter
A group of people stand in front of the Maryville Chamber of Commerce building as two individuals cut a red ribbon with large scissors, marking the Kansas City Celebrates Our Scholars event.

 

 

 

 

 

NODAWAY COUNTY: Ribbon Cutting 

Friday, May 22nd, several Great Jobs team members traveled to Maryville to participate in a ribbon-cutting celebration hosted in partnership with the Maryville Chamber of Commerce.

The event marked an exciting milestone as we continue to establish a presence in the region and build relationships with local businesses, community leaders, and residents.

Building connections in the community

NODAWAY COUNTY: Marysville Farmer’s Market 

The Great Jobs Team will be set up monthly at the Marysville Farmers Market, recruiting skills training Scholars and making connections in the community. 

FORD COUNTY: Great Jobs School Board Presentation

George presented the Great Jobs Program during the Dodge City school board meeting. Attendees included board officers, education providers, community members, parents, and students. The audience was enthusiastic about Great Jobs and the team’s partnership with Dodge City High School and the community college.

A woman stands in front of a presentation slide about DC3 career and technical education programs, listing pathways in manufacturing/construction, healthcare, and other service careers, highlighting recent Patterson Family Foundation Grant Updates.

 

 

 

 

 

FORD COUNTY: Lunchroom Table Set Up

Hosted a table during the student lunch period at Dodge City High School with a Great Jobs PowerPoint presentation displayed. Students stopped by to learn more about Great Jobs, and juniors were scheduled for the information session the following day.

Great Jobs Student Information Session

  • 16 Students, 4 Faculty Members (DCHS and Alternative School)

Students at Dodge City High School attended the Great Jobs information session to learn about the program partnership for Excel and CTE students. We reviewed the program overview and FAQ sheet and assisted interested students with completing the online sign-up form. Ten students completed the online application. The school will continue sharing information with students and parents through email and will also include it in the school newsletter. Our team will create an email blast for distribution and will return on August 10, 2026, to host additional sessions during student and parent orientation.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

July 13, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

This is an accelerated enrollment strategy to drive participation in partnership with Tarkio Tech. This opportunity is marketed to current students who are paying for school out of pocket. 

July 14, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

This is an accelerated enrollment strategy to drive participation in partnership with NCMC. This opportunity is marketed to current students who are paying for school out of pocket and students using student loans to pay for tuition. 

Text reading "Scholars First" in bold and script fonts, over a blue and green gradient background with right-pointing arrows, designed to inspire the 2026 adult learner.

As we have Scholar Success stories to share we will feature them here.

To learn more about our Scholars and their success, please visit our SCHOLAR SUCCESS page.

A blue shield-shaped badge for Ford County with the words "Great Jobs" in bold white letters, divided between a dark blue upper half and a lighter blue lower half.

connecting the workforce to the community

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FORD COUNTY SCHOLARS DUE TO BE ENROLLED BY END OF AUGUST

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NODAWAY COUNTY SCHOLARS ENROLLED

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ford county employer partners

A group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors. Text on the image reads "Over $12 million in scholarships being awarded." These scholarships are paving the way for promising careers.
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Stephanie underwood - Chief financial Officer

Stephanie Underwood serves as Chief Financial Officer at Great Jobs KC, where she leads the organization’s financial strategy in support of its mission to create economic mobility through education and workforce opportunities. With more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit finance, Stephanie brings deep expertise in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. She is passionate about using her career as a platform to serve and support mission-driven organizations, helping them maximize impact through strong financial stewardship.

Prior to joining Great Jobs KC, Stephanie served as Chief Financial Officer for Griffith Centers, a behavioral and mental health organization, where she oversaw financial operations for a multi-million-dollar organization spanning residential, educational, and community-based programs. She also spent nearly a decade as Vice President of Accounting Services at NFP Partners, providing CFO-level leadership to nonprofit organizations across the country, with a focus on strategic growth, audit readiness, and governance.

Outside of her professional role, Stephanie volunteers her time at her church and serves on the board of a local nonprofit. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and her commitment to aligning financial strategy with mission impact. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting and is proud to be a first-generation college graduate.

 

 

 

Adult Learner College Scholarship

Program offers:

  • Up to $25,000 paid directly to the college over the course of up to six years.
  • Once awarded, the Scholar can enroll full or part-time the fall semester following awarding.
  • Scholarship can be used at any of our college partners. See our current list of partners HERE.
  • Scholarship can be used towards an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a credit-bearing credential. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

  • Be a high school graduate or GED holder (24 years or older).
  • Live in one of the six eligible counties. (Kansas: Wyandotte, Johnson; Missouri: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte)
  • Be income eligible. (FASFA Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less)
  • Have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Have not previously been awarded a KC Scholars Scholarship (Traditional or Adult Learner).
  • Is not currently enrolled in a Great Jobs KC Skills Training Program.
  • US Citizenship/Residency is not required to apply.

If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE

Jimmy Swift - Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer, Jimmy Swift is responsible for overseeing our core programs, our adult workforce development program, Great Jobs KC tuition-free job training, and our KC Scholars Scholarship Program, which includes 11th Grade Traditional Scholarships and Adult Learner Scholarships. 

Jimmy has a career in education that spans more than 25 years and is built around supporting and improving the performance of career training programs and leading the operations of degree-granting institutions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and has served as Campus President, Vice President of Career Services, and Executive Director of various career schools.  

Most recently, Jimmy served as the Vice President of PLA University at Phalen Leadership Academies, bringing access to job skill training to the parents and families of the Scholars served by Phalen Leadership schools across the country.  Beyond his higher education experience, Jimmy serves as the Executive Board Chairman for Project Safety Net NY, a nonprofit community-based agency delivering a broad range of health, education, and prevention services to the New York Community. As the Chief Operating Officer for Great Jobs KC, he and his team are poised to make a substantial impact on the economic stability and future of Kansas City.

Great Jobs KC
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