OUR AMBASSADORS ARE MAKING AN IMPACT!

The KC Scholars Ambassador Program was launched in 2024 and is already making an incredible impact on campus and BEYOND!

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Our Ambassador Program hosted an engaging retreat on Monday, January 13. Ambassadors from our four partner institutions—Kansas City Kansas Community College, Rockhurst University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City—came together for a day filled with team-building activities, thoughtful reflection on fall semester events, and strategic planning for 2-3 impactful events for the spring semester. They also assembled semester starter packs filled with KC Scholars-branded items, snacks, and essentials to distribute to Scholars on campus.

It was inspiring to watch our Scholars in action—they are exceptional leaders who are going to change the world! We are grateful to our Scholar Advocates—Lauren Fant, Lizzet Ibarra, Henry Ortega-Hernandez, and Danielle Rogg Guillermo and Special Projects Manager, Coley Mattison, for facilitating meaningful discussions, and our marketing team for designing fun tote bags and croc charms that added a special touch to the starter packs.

Following the retreat our KC Scholars Ambassadors started the semester by distributing the semester starter packs they assembled to KC Scholars at their schools. Nearly 20 Scholars stopped by at Rockhurst University to grab their pack. Pictured are KC Scholars Ambassadors (left to right) Isabella Hernandez, Ofelia Luna and Lannah Blystone.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

At Great Jobs KC, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for all to access meaningful education and employment, regardless of their backgrounds. In times of uncertainty, one thing remains steadfast—our unwavering commitment to uplifting individuals and strengthening our community through education and career advancement.

Through our mission here at Great Jobs KC, we are working to foster positive change in individuals that leads to a lasting impact on our city, our nation, and our world. As just one part of our program, we are thrilled to announce that we received a record number of applications for our 2025 Adult Learners Scholarships, for which we will award 150 scholarships later this month. This milestone is a testament to the resilience and ambition of those seeking brighter futures. In the six counties we serve, there are 281,000 adults with some college experience but no degree, and 96,000 with an associate’s degree who have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree. We are committed to making the educational dreams of many more adults a reality.

Right now, our Traditional Scholarship for 11th Graders is open, with applications accepted until February 28th at 5:00 PM. As it’s our mission to help remove the barriers that keep low- and moderate-income students from realizing their college dreams, we ask you to encourage any KC area 11th grader you know with a dream to go to college to APPLY NOW. These scholarships, which offer up to $50,000 per recipient, can be life-changing for students and their families.

We know that education has the power to transform lives, and despite the challenges in our nation today, we choose to focus on hope, perseverance, and the potential that exists in every individual. The voice of our scholars inspires us daily to work through challenges and attacks, and continue making an impact in our world.

“This scholarship changed my life.”
“Receiving the scholarship let me know that college was possible.”
“Great Jobs KC is like a family that truly cares about you and your success.”

To our Scholars, supporters, and partners—you are the heartbeat of this mission. Thank you for believing in the power of education and for being a part of this journey. Together, let’s inspire positive change and build a future where opportunity is within reach for all.

With gratitude,

Earl

Ready for some friendly competition?

We are challenging Heights, a Philly organization supporting Black, Brown, and first-generation youth from low-income communities through educational and workforce opportunities. Whoever raises the most funds by 8 am VICTORY MONDAY (February 10th) gets bragging rights AND the enjoyment of watching the other get SAUCED! If we win, they experience a BBQ Bath; if they win, we’ll take a Cheese Sauce Shower.

DONATE NOW to help our Scholars from sideline to starting line up AND to keep the cheese in Philly.

Tim's Career Growth with KC Scholars and WeCode KC

Tim recently graduated from UMKC with a degree in computer science. A friend introduced him to our programs and encouraged him to apply. He then applied for and earned a KC Scholars adult learner scholarship. One of Great Jobs KC’s Career Resources Managers helped him gain hands-on experience by matching him with a web development internship at WeCode KC. Since starting with WeCode KC in 2020, Tim now serves as a Full-Stack Developer and has nearly doubled his hourly wage.

When asked what having a Scholar Advocate meant to him and his success, Tim replied, “My Scholar Advocate, Carrie Barnes, has been an incredible source of support from the very beginning of my journey to its successful completion. Her guidance has been invaluable—I always knew I could reach out to her with any question or uncertainty, whether it was about finances, resources, career advice, or navigating campus.

Carrie was always there with a solution or thoughtful advice, and her dedication made a significant difference in my ability to stay focused and achieve my goals. Her support has been a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone on this journey, and for that, I’m truly grateful.”

Tim’s success is not only a testament to the ongoing support we provide, but absolutely to his own commitment to his future.

“Looking back, I was determined to earn my degree no matter what, and while the journey was long and challenging, it was absolutely worth every step. That said, I don’t know if I could have made it through without the incredible help and support of everyone at Great Jobs KC and my job at WeCode KC. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in me made all the difference, and I’ll always be grateful for the role they played in helping me achieve my goals.”

In the Media

Passion Must Be a Part of Work: A Meaningful Career Needs More than Just Skills

CLICK HERE to read Earl’s article highlighting his thoughts on “Passion Must Be a Part of Work: A Meaningful Career Needs More than Just Skills”.

How Great Jobs KC is closing Kansas City’s skills gap

Kansas City is fortunate to have an economy that’s doing well, but there is a fragility to it. Fortunately, there is a solution to that fragility — a workforce not yet prepared to meet demand — and when the scale of that solution continues to grow. CLICK HERE to read more.

How Great Jobs KC is advocating for building strong teams by training local talent

Earl Martin Phalen advocates for building strong teams by training local talent, highlighting the value of loyalty and long tenures, as seen in successful teams like the Chiefs. CLICK HERE to read more.

Why we must refound America on a foundation of equity

Earl joins with Great Jobs KC board member Michael McAfee to provide insight on creating a foundation of equity. CLICK HERE to read more.

Discover The Power To Earn At Great Jobs KC

Great Jobs KC Chief Operating Officer Natalie Lewis joins one of our Great Jobs KC Scholars, Mark Guertin, on Great Day KC to discuss our support programs for veterans and his experience receiving his CNA certification through our program. CLICK HERE to read more.

White parents of Black KC non-profit CEO named him Martin, to honor MLK and service

Earl was featured in the Kansas City Star highlighting Martin Luther King Day Jr. Day and his personal connection to Dr. King and the inspiration he draws from his legacy. CLICK HERE to read more.

To see other stories featuring Great Jobs KC on both local and national media outlets CLICK HERE.

MAKE AN IMPACT. BECOME A REVIEWER.

Interested in volunteering for Great Jobs KC?

Celebrating

brighter futures!

February 20^th we will award 150 Adult Learner Scholarships.

GET That

Free money!

$50k for college…can change your FUTURE.

Our 2025 KC Scholars Traditional Scholarship and College Savings Match applications are open until February 28^th at 5pm. DON’T WAIT, START YOUR APPLICATION TODAY!

Questions – reach out to your school counselor or applicationhelp@greatjobskc.org.

Fafsa

workshop

The KC Scholars High School Team hosted a FAFSA workshop at MadeMen in Kansas City, Kansas. The workshop was designed to help Scholars and their families complete their FAFSA applications, enabling them to access federal financial aid and fulfill a requirement of their Scholarship. FAFSA is a complex process that many students need assistance with. These events not only provide essential support but also offer our Scholar Advocates an opportunity to connect with Scholars and discuss their college journey.

DON’T FORGET OUR TEAM IS HERE FOR YOU!

Our High School Scholar Advocates host office hours every other Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and every other Thursday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Contact your Advocate for assistance with FAFSA or whatever you have questions about.

Tuesday link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86356524622

Thursday link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81678840258

Alumni Movie Night

Mufasa

In December, Great Jobs KC hosted an Alumni Move Night! This event marked a huge milestone and was an even bigger success, thanks to the turnout and enthusiasm of our Alumni and their families.

Event Highlights:

Nearly 100 attendees, including over 45 alumni and their families, gathered to enjoy Disney’s MUFASA: The Lion King.
Alumni were treated to complimentary popcorn and drinks, adding to the welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. The movie provided a perfect opportunity for families to connect and enjoy a shared, magical experience.

A big thank you to Scholar Advocate Leslie Ramirez (an alum herself!) for volunteering and assisting with the event. Her help made a significant impact on the smooth execution of the evening.

This event is a great reflection of the impact of our Alumni Program — showcasing the strength of our community, the connections we’re building, and the shared experiences that make our alumni network so special.

“We believe very much in KC Scholar's mission. You are changing the lives of so many deserving people in KC and providing opportunities they would otherwise not have. By providing education or training and basic job skills, you are elevating all of us in KC because an educated and trained workforce benefits us all. We are proud to have been a part of this mission since your very first year.”
Garold and Evelyn Oliver

Find your match

Does your company do a company match? When you donate to your favorite cause, will your company match your donation? FIND OUT! When you donate through our online link you can use the DOUBLE THE DONATION search tool and find out if a company match of your donation is available. What a great way to DOUBLE your impact!

Out in the

Community

Natalie Lewis, COO of Great Jobs KC, visited Ruskin High School for their December Chat and Chew event. This event was a unique opportunity for potential Scholars to interact with industry professionals in a panel discussion about different education and career journeys. Dr. Joe Hamlett accompanied Natalie from Honeywell/Kansas City National Security Campus for this open discussion. The Kansas City National Security Campus has generously provided $50,000 to develop manufacturing skills training for students in high school classrooms. Here, they will earn a work-ready certificate upon completion and learn what to expect on the floor of a manufacturing plant, how to dress and interview for manufacturing positions, and communication, change, time, and money management skills. We are truly grateful to Ruskin High School for inviting us to share our newest opportunities and participate in such an incredible seminar!

THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE AREA.

Empowering the Next Generation

The Community Engagement Team has been making waves in local high schools, inspiring thousands of students to take a pivotal step toward their futures by beginning the scholarship application process. The team has sparked interest in postsecondary education options by connecting directly with students, educators, and parents.

Meeting Students Where They Are

The Community Engagement Team has prioritized an on-the-ground approach, scheduling visits, attending career days, and classroom presentations to meet students in their environment. These visits are tailored discussions that address each student's unique aspirations, challenges, and potential barriers.

Breaking Barriers to Access

Many students feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the college application process or lack access to resources like mentors, financial aid guidance, or workshops on choosing the right institution. By providing hands-on support, the Community Engagement Team demystifies the application process and ensures that students feel confident and supported in taking the next step.

The Impact in Numbers

Thanks to the Community Engagement Team’s outreach over 1,700 students have already started their college application journey. These numbers represent more than just applications; they represent families being empowered to believe in the possibilities of higher education.

Our Great Jobs KC staff, led by our Community Resources Manager, Brandey Chandler, collected more than 800 high protein and/or gluten-free items in a food drive benefiting the Catholic Charities Serve and Lift Center. We enjoyed the friendly internal competition and loved the opportunity to support an organization that helps our Scholars and their families.

Our community collaborations allow us to support our Scholars and help them succeed no matter what obstacles get in their way. We currently collaborate with 112 partners, but we always need more!

To get our Scholars through their programs, we rely on partnerships with our Postsecondary Network, Job Training Partners, and our Community Partners. Then, to find them a great job with benefits, we look to our collaborations with our Employer Partners.

We are always on the lookout for ways to help our Scholars succeed. There are thousands of organizations in Kansas City, and we know that many of these have programs and services that can be useful to college students or adults in training for a new career. If your organization offers services that can benefit our Scholars, or your organization could benefit from hiring our Scholars, please reach out. CLICK HERE for contact information to reach out.

great jobs ahead!

Looking for area adults 17+ who want to change their future through training in one of these careers. Great job outlook and salary!

Tell us about your job

We want to hear about your SUCCESS!

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:

Where are you currently employed?
What is your current job title?
What is your current salary?
(A range is sufficient if you do not feel comfortable providing the exact salary)

great jobs kc job training

Total Scholars On A Path To Their Future Through Our Great Jobs KC Program

Scholars Currently in a Job Training Program or professional skills workshop

Scholars Working in a GREAT JOB

WORKFORCE AND EMPLOYER NETWORK

Since the beginning of the year, we’ve proudly welcomed three exceptional organizations to our Employer Network: Masters Transportation, Spiral Health Systems, and Ignite Medical Resorts. These partnerships represent a shared commitment to creating pathways for Scholar success while helping top employers find the talent they need to grow and thrive.

Ignite Medical Resorts

Ignite Medical Resorts couples advanced medical rehabilitation with the high-end hospitality of a 5-star luxury resort. Intense clinical programming and on-site rehabilitation deliver unmatched quality care. They have several opportunities for our healthcare Scholars with an emphasis on LPNs.

Master’s Transportation

Master’s Transportation is one of the nation’s leading providers of rental, lease, and purchase of transport vehicles. They offer a full series of commercial vehicles, including commercial shuttle buses and vans, school buses, multi-functional school activity buses, motor coaches, and used commercial buses. They will be hiring our Scholars for engineering and manufacturing positions.

Spiral Health Systems

Spiral Health Systems provides Consumer Directed Services (CDS) and In-home care. This program is available for adults ages 18 years of age and older who are Medicaid or potentially Medicaid eligible and in need of care. They have opportunities for our healthcare Scholars focusing on in-home healthcare aides.