In August, we celebrated 1,000 individuals securing Great Jobs after completing either our KC Scholars Scholarship or Great Jobs KC job training.
Are you an employer looking to partner with us to support our Scholars in securing GREAT JOBS?
I am thrilled to share some incredible news that marks a monumental achievement for our organization, our Scholars, and the entire Kansas City community. In a remarkably short period, we have surpassed a significant milestone—over 1,000 of our Scholars have secured better paying jobs! One thousand individuals and their children are in a better economic position as a result of their efforts, our program, and your support.
As a result of the hard work and success of our Scholars, we are building a stronger, more vibrant community where our Scholars can thrive, contribute, and inspire others – all while helping our local economy grow.
This could not have been achieved without the leadership of our college and university partners, training partners, business partners, donors, staff, and most importantly, the hard work and commitment of our Scholars.
Each of our graduates represents a story of determination, effort, and the belief that a better future is possible.
The best part of this great news is that this is just the beginning. The demand for skilled workers continues to grow, and the need for Kansas Citians to find jobs that enable them to take care of themselves and their families remains high. We will support as many adults on this journey as our resources allow, and we want to thank you again for helping so many improve their lives.
With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead,
-Earl
I previously worked as an engineer in my home country before moving to the USA to restart my career. Despite applying to over a thousand jobs, I struggled to find the right fit. But then I discovered Great Job KC through friends, and it was the turning point I needed. They invested in my training and continue to support me even after I landed a job. Now, we’re working together to take my career to the next level – a managerial position. I’m so grateful for the help I received that I always recommend Great Job KC to anyone struggling to find employment. They’re the perfect place to start. Noura Boulahiya, IT
Hi! My name is Breyony Allen. I recently graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Education: Elementary Education, Black Studies minor, and Multicultural Certificate. With the support of KC Scholars, I have graduated university as a first generation college student, debt free. KC Scholars has provided me with endless resources for career readiness, financial literacy, and life post grad. My time at KC Scholars has allowed me the opportunity to connect with other first generation students and meet local leaders within the community. I have since then accepted a first grade teaching position in Kansas City and will begin my MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum this fall through the University of Missouri. While completing my graduate degree I intend to continue traveling with my partner and have aspirations of teaching abroad after graduation. I’m so excited to embark on this journey as a first year teacher and to be the representation I so desperately needed as a young Black girl.
Local nonprofit Great Jobs KC offers college scholarships to high school students and adults from the Kansas City area. Over two-thirds of the scholarships go to students of color……Learn More
“As 16-year-old Isabella Peters heads into her senior year at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, she is also preparing for college. This summer, she received the news that she had been selected as the first recipient of the Ralph Yarl Scholarship from KC Scholars…..Read More
Great Jobs KC currently offers three different KC Scholars scholarships. The traditional scholarship awards 11th graders up to $10,000 per year up to five years and is awarded directly to the college or university of enrollment….Read More
“No one in my family has ever received something like this before or gone to college, so it’s just something that lifts weight off your shoulders because, I can go to school,” Isabella Peters, said….Read More
Through its scholarship program—KC Scholars—Great Jobs KC has awarded nearly 10,000 scholarships since it was first founded in 2016….Read More
During the 2024 Traditional Scholarship Application Cycle, KC Scholars awarded 799 Traditional and Institution-Sponsored scholarships. We are excited to have added 3 new Postsecondary Network partners and offer a Round 3 awarding for 2024.
On October 3rd, a number of the remaining Traditional Scholarship non-awardees will be awarded a limited number of Institution-Sponsored scholarships from
Henry Ortega-Hernandez and Carrie Barnes collaborated with UMKC to host a KC Scholars Awardee Orientation night on August 1st.
“I just wanted to say thank you and the team for everything. I got my supplies my books and I’m ready to start to make my mark!”
– Kia Scruggs, JCCC, Major: Marketing
Thank you to James Hopkins and the Kansas City Mavericks for their continued partnership with Great Jobs KC! Recently, James visited our office to present Great Jobs KC Director of Development Amy Polen with their $10,000 donation to support our mission!
Even a small donation makes a big impact on the success of a Scholar and our KC community.
$60 can support a Scholar’s educational success with access to tutoring.
$120 can support a Scholar’s success by preparing them for the school year with supplies.
$1,000 can support a Scholar by providing their tech needs for college.
$10,000 can support a Scholar by unlocking one of our Postsecondary Network partner schools’ $50,000 scholarships by funding the needed support services we provide to ensure our Scholars’ success.
These can be one time donations or you can set up monthly recurring donations to SUPPORT OUR SCHOLARS!
This fall, Great Jobs KC will officially launch our staff Volunteer Time Off (VTO) benefit! All full-time staff will have 8 paid hours per year to volunteer with a registered nonprofit in the area. There are so many great organizations serving the community in the Kansas City metro, and we are excited about being able to support that work. If your organization is a 501c3 with volunteer opportunities available for a group or an individual, please let us know at CommunityResources@greatjobskc.org. We look forward to serving with you.
“We are so excited to kick off this volunteer program so we can give back to all of the amazing community partners that provide crucial support services to our scholars while they are completing their education” Jimmy Swift, Chief Program Officer, Great Jobs KC
WE HAVE TWO NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGH JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Nail Technician
Diesel Technician
Kansas City Medical Coding will be providing training in medical coding to our Scholars looking for careers in healthcare.
Agile will be providing soldering training to help our Scholars trained in the trades to have highly marketable in-demand skills.
Concorde will be providing Sterile Processing training to provide this highly sought after skill to our healthcare Scholars.
Your success is incredibly important to us, and we are committed to supporting you even beyond the completion of the program.
In order to better understand the impact of our training programs and to continue building a program that better meets the needs of our Scholars, we kindly request your assistance in providing us with some updated information regarding your current employment status.
Could you please take a moment to provide us with the following details:
(A range is sufficient if you do not feel comfortable providing the exact salary)
Our Scholar Advocate team, Education team, Career Resource team, Scholar Support team, and our Workshop Facilitator team all came together on August 22nd at Keystone CoLab to complete training to review updated processes, best practices for supporting adult learners, and brainstorm ways to continue working together collaboratively.
Natalie Lewis, Chief Operating Officer and DeLano Sheffield, Employer Engagement Manager attended an event sponsored by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness. They provided a data presentation of the clusters and the status of where Missouri’s ranks. They discussed what that means for the Kansas City metro and discussed assets and challenges facing those clusters in our region. The organization is going to take their input back to their offices and continue their research based on our input. The end goal, we hope, is to improve the workforce development of our region through community input and collaboration.
Founded by Great Jobs KC’s own Brian Benton, 816 Day has evolved from a simple Facebook post in 2015 into one of Kansas City’s most anticipated community events. The event has grown from a small party to a citywide celebration, now held in the iconic Power & Light District spanning for blocks with more than 100 vendors. Each year, it brings together thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy music, art, food, and entertainment, all while remaining free for the public. The event’s growth reflects Benton’s vision and the community’s embrace of this special day.
The impact of 816 Day extends beyond the event itself, fostering a sense of unity across Kansas City. Institutions like Union Station, Starlight Theatre, and the City Market have adopted their own unique celebrations. This widespread participation highlights the event’s success in bringing the community together, making it a cornerstone of Kansas City’s cultural calendar. This year an exciting partnership was added with United Health Hospital which welcomed all babies born on 816 day with a custom 816 Day welcome package.
Looking ahead, Benton envisions 816 Day becoming a citywide festival with multiple hubs where everyone can celebrate in their own way. As the event grows, it offers a prime platform for engaging with the community and creating fun and innovative networking and career centered stations for teens and families, aligning perfectly with Great Jobs KC’s values for impacting the community.
Great Jobs KC’s team showed up to support a significant cultural event, while expanding outreach efforts and build on a lasting legacy of celebration and pride. By continuing to show our support for 816 Day, Great Jobs KC can help shape the future of this beloved Kansas City tradition.
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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.
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If you need more information on program details, please find our FAQs HERE
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.
