Kansas City organization making moves to stay ahead of summer violence

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nonprofits continue to fight against the growing violence being felt across Kansas City and continue to push for community engagement which supports their mission in stopping a violent cycle.

One of those organizations is High Aspirations; a multi-faceted mentoring program that works with young black children and teens living in Kansas City.

“And all we want to do is create a better community for young black men,” explained long-standing member, Kameron Durden.

Currently, the nonprofit has 170 boys between the ages of 8 and 18 involved within their program, and is looking at adding two staff members to further their reach and increase their membership to 210.

“Brotherhood on the streets ain’t what it used to be and that concept of loyalty is not there anymore, well, at high aspirations it is,” said High Aspirations President and CEO, Henry Wash. “We have the structure here to help create the safe place and safe space, ” he added.

Wash described his nonprofit as an organization that focuses on youth development by helping children achieve social, emotional, academic and spiritual success through mentoring opportunities,

volunteer events, and having a designated space where children can hang out and get to know each other.

“It’s about earning who you are and identify that it’s okay to be a black man, to be okay with yourself and to be the best person that you can be and to accept other cultures,” said Wash.

Last year, members were able to achieve a cumulative 2.8 GPA, were engaged in 16,000 hours of community involvement and engagement and the majority were able to secure jobs after turning 18. As a member, Durden believes High Aspirations is a blue print of what can be done to make Kansas City safe.

“We have to start with the kids, if we don’t give them the right idea or the right view, I would say then they’re gonna get the wrong information and do the wrong thing,” said Durden.

In 2020, High Aspirations added a back patio to its 27th and Charlotte space. The extension includes soccer fields, community gardens, and additional meeting space, made possible through various donations including the JE Dunn Foundation.

The nonprofit continues to stress the importance of donations ,which help add to its programming and providing meals for members; an investment it believes will lead to a city-wide change.

“We’ve developed this area, we made this a safe place and I feel like that when you give and when you help, you can see the return on investment from a donor standpoint, it will make things safer,” said Wash.

To learn more head to their website.