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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

A person with a bald head and a goatee smiles while standing with arms crossed, wearing a black shirt and vest. Behind them, the stone wall and colorful artwork blend beautifully, much like the veteran job training programs in Kansas City that offer vibrant new beginnings.

As we honor Women’s History Month, I find myself deeply inspired by the countless women who have shaped history, broken barriers, and opened doors for future generations. From mothers who nurtured families to trailblazers who fought for the right to vote and pioneers who shattered glass ceilings in every field imaginable, their courage, determination, and vision continue to light the path forward.

At Great Jobs KC, we are proud to carry that legacy into the future. Through our scholarship and credentialing programs, we are helping women across Kansas City pursue their goals, access life-changing opportunities, and step into their full potential. To date, we’ve impacted the lives of 8,708 women, and that impact continues to grow every single day.

We believe knowledge is power. It’s the foundation for confidence, economic mobility, and lasting change. That’s why we remain committed to ensuring that every woman has access to the resources, education, and support she needs to succeed.

On a personal note, I am continually inspired by the 102 remarkable women I have the honor of working alongside at Great Jobs KC. Their dedication, resilience, and leadership remind me daily of the power of women in action, from our passionate staff and board to the incredible women we serve.

Let’s continue to uplift, honor, and celebrate the achievements of women—past, present, and future—as we work together toward a more equitable world.

With heartfelt appreciation and admiration,

Earl

 

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THANK YOU

We’re one step closer to our $100M goal, thanks to the incredible generosity of The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which has awarded Great Jobs KC a transformative $60M grant! This support brings us closer to helping 50,000 adults build stronger, more sustainable futures, but we still need more support to achieve our mission.
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Gerron’s Path to Healthcare Success

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Gerron is one of our amazing Scholars who never let anything deter him from his goal. He wanted a better job, a better life, and he wanted to work in healthcare. Gerron enrolled in our Medical Assistant training program through the Kansas City School of Phlebotomy, one of our training partners. Even though he ran into transportation and personal issues that might have derailed most people, Gerron was not only determined to succeed, but he also relied on his Scholar Advocate, Latoya, to help him navigate the challenges so he could complete his training. Once he completed his training, his Career Resources Manager, LaCherl, connected him with one of our Employer Partners, Vibrant Health, and secured a great job as a Medical Assistant. He shared his incredible story at our donor celebration event last month, where he said, “I work at a place that makes me proud of who I am and what I do.” Those are the words we love to hear.  

Gerron Jackson 
Medical Assistant with Vibrant Health 

To learn more about our Scholars and their success, please visit our Scholar Success page. 

 

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In the Media

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

MAKE AN IMPACT. BECOME A REVIEWER. 

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Interested in volunteering for Great Jobs KC?

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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR PROGRAMS:

PHARMACY TECH

Great Jobs KC provides Pharmacy Technician Scholars with the opportunity to obtain their Missouri State Pharmacy Technician License. This license is required in Missouri to work as a Pharmacy Technician in retail establishments or hospital pharmacies.

Great Jobs KC also assists with the application process, which includes obtaining a 2×2 head and shoulders photo, notarizing the application, and paying the application fee. To date, nine Scholars have successfully completed the fingerprinting and application requirements and have received their State of Missouri Pharmacy Technician Licenses.

By offering this service, we help Scholars meet the necessary qualifications for Pharmacy Technician positions and ultimately find employment.

As a result of our support for Pharmacy Tech Scholars, Great Jobs KC Scholar Kimberly obtained her Missouri State Pharmacy Technician License in January and successfully secured a full-time position as a Pharmacy Technician.

New Training Partner!

Nail Tech programs start monthly. 

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New Training Programs!

ESL & GED programs are now being offered through Kansas City Kansas Community College to our Scholars who need extra support. Registrations will open in July. Reach out to your Scholar Advocate if you need this extra support.  

Our partners Goodwill Artemis and Alpha Robotics are combining forces to create a Certified Manufacturing Associate + Robotics program. This six-week course will start in June!

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Our partners Goodwill Artemis and Alpha Robotics are combining forces to create a Certified Manufacturing Associate + Robotics program. This six-week course will start in June!

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Goodwill Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas logo featuring the word "Goodwill," a stylized smiling face in a blue square, and representing the Support Our Scholars initiative.

New Training Location!

Our partner Zeta Driving School has opened their new Diesel Velocity Center in North Kansas City. They will now be offering their diesel tech training in this new space.

Supporting our Scholars by

Working Together!

The Employment Team, Career Resources Team, Scholar Advocate Team, and Education Partner Team have been participating in monthly site visits to training partner facilities across Kansas City. This has given an opportunity for all the teams to connect with the training partners to discuss best practices in supporting Scholars through the training, learn about the employment needs from the training partner perspective, and build better relationships and communication amongst all teams. Here are some pictures from some of the recent visits. 

Supporting our Scholars by

Learning Together!

On March 12 our Great Jobs KC Scholar Advocate team and Career Resources Managers had a training day at the Kauffman Foundation.  This day was full of collaboration and learning, building relationships and skills.  We reviewed last year’s milestones, discussed recent updates to our processes, and introduced a new coaching methodology.  It was a great, impactful time together!

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Our Scholar Advocates

set us apart.

What does having a Scholar Advocate mean to you?

“Someone to rely on, especially when I have questions, I am able to email him and he responds quickly every time. Having someone to lean on when I need help. They are there to help and to lift me up when I need it.” – Chinecherem Ihenacho, Junior UMKC

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KC Scholars

Adult Learner Orientation

The Scholarship Program team hosted an Adult Learner Orientation on the evening of March 12, welcoming a fantastic turnout of newly awarded Scholars. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with their dedicated Scholar Advocate, learn more about their scholarship and program expectations, and navigate the KC Scholars portal. It was also a great chance for Scholars to meet and engage with one another, fostering a strong sense of community and excitement for the journey ahead. We are thrilled to welcome them into the KC Scholars family and look forward to seeing them achieve great things! 

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A group of people sit and talk in pairs at an indoor Support Our Scholars event; most are smiling and wearing name tags.
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KC Scholars Visit

Northwest Missouri State University

On March 22nd, KC Scholars had an exciting visit to Northwest Missouri State University! Students had the chance to meet with faculty from various academic areas, gain insights into the admissions process and available scholarships, and tour the beautiful campus. The visit also included a session with the Financial Assistance Office.

During the tour, attendees heard from a current student and connected with other visiting families in a group setting. To top it off, all students received a free t-shirt. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the university and learn more about what it has to offer!

KC Scholars Ambassador Team logo with "KC Scholars" in black text and "AMBASSADOR TEAM" in green and teal block letters below, representing scholarships and opportunities for student success.

Succulents and Snacks

with KC Scholars

The KC Scholars Ambassadors at KU hosted Succulents and Snacks with KC Scholars on March 5. The event took place at Hawk Link, KU’s central hub for immediate student support and connection that provides dedicated resources for all students and focused support for KC Scholars. Sixteen students gathered to paint succulent pots, enjoy food, and connect with fellow KC Scholars. It was incredible to see them bond, share experiences, and discuss their journeys as KC Scholars and students at KU.

KC Scholars Connect at

Brush and Beads

The KC Scholars Ambassadors at UMKC hosted a vibrant Brush and Beads event on March 11, drawing nearly 35 Scholars for a chance to unwind and connect. Scholars enjoyed Raising Cane’s, crafted friendship bracelets, and painted plant pots while meeting new people and strengthening connections. This event offered a welcome creative break from their busy schedules and reinforced the Ambassador Program’s mission to foster a strong sense of community on campus. The Ambassadors continue to do a fantastic job in building these valuable connections and enhancing the Scholars’ campus experience. 

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We’re Lucky to Have You

A Night of Gratitude & Impact

On March 26th, we gathered for our “Lucky to Have You” appreciation event to celebrate the collective impact of our community. Guests had the opportunity to hear from two incredible Scholars: one who completed our healthcare job training pathway and another who is currently attending UMKC through KC Scholars. Their journeys are proof that when we invest in people, we change lives. 

We are deeply grateful for everyone who makes this work possible. Whether you’ve volunteered, donated, or partnered with us, please know that your support is creating brighter futures across Kansas City. 

Want to continue making an impact? Learn more about how you can give back HERE. 

OUr reviewers

We appreciate you!

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK!  
April 20-25 

Illustration of raised hands with "thank you" written in different languages above each hand, celebrating the global impact of Support Our Scholars.
A white rectangle with two thick horizontal dark blue lines, one near the top edge and one near the bottom edge, symbolizes how KC Scholars Ambassadors are making an impact through their bold presence and lasting influence.

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.  

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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:

  1. Where are you currently employed?
  2. What is your current job title?
  3. What is your current salary?

    (A range is sufficient if you do not feel comfortable providing the exact salary)

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great jobs kc job training

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

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Scholars Currently in a Job Training Program or professional skills workshop

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Scholars Working in a GREAT JOB

WORKFORCE AND EMPLOYER NETWORK

This month, we welcomed another amazing employer partner to our network.

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A unique company providing healthcare services, supplies, technology, and web development. They are looking to hire CNAs and LPNs. 

Check out our BLOG and support our mission

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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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