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Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC Secures Second Consecutive Year of Grant Funding to Support Veterans and Military Spouses

KANSAS CITY, MO — Great Jobs KC announces that it has received a targeted grant for the second consecutive year to fund tuition-free skills training and comprehensive job placement support for military veterans and their spouses as they transition into the civilian workforce.

The grant funding directly addresses critical barriers to employment by pairing military-connected individuals with workforce preparation in high-demand, local industries. Beneficiaries of the grant will gain access to specialized career tracks, including Healthcare, Construction, Manufacturing, and Logistics, along with personalized navigation from Great Jobs KC Scholar Advocates to ensure a seamless career entry.

“Military families make extraordinary sacrifices, yet transitioning back into the civilian workforce presents distinct challenges not only for veterans but for their spouses who frequently relocate,” said Jimmy Swift, COO at Great Jobs KC. “This grant allows us to bridge that gap. By providing tuition-free skills training and direct employer connections, we are empowering entire military families to secure sustainable careers right here in the Kansas City region.”

Key program features supported by the grant include:

  • Tuition-Free Career Credentials: Access to industry-recognized certification programs in growing sectors.
  • Dedicated Transition Support: Tailored guidance from Great Jobs KC Scholar Advocates to evaluate transferable military skills and align them with regional employer needs.
  • Support for Military Spouses: Specialized resources to remove employment barriers, ensuring military spouses receive equivalent skill development and placement opportunities.
  • Wrap-Around Resources: Emergency support for transportation, technology needs, and foundational workforce skills to ensure participants successfully complete their training.
  • Direct Job Placement: Partnership with local KC-area employers committed to hiring military talent into roles offering family-sustaining wages.

Eligible veterans and military spouses residing across the six-county Kansas City metro area (Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas; Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass counties in Missouri) are encouraged to apply.

To read about one of our veteran success stories, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about available career pathways or to apply for the program, visit greatjobskc.com

Great Jobs KC, a 501(c)(3) organization, drives regional economic stability and mobility by ensuring low- and modest-income individuals achieve family-sustaining careers. Our programs prepare the future workforce through two core pathways: college scholarships (up to $50,000) and tuition-free training in high-demand fields. We ensure success by providing one-to-one support for every participant, from enrollment through their first year of employment. greatjobskc.org

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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

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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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