Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods
Violence prevention starts with strong, connected communities.
Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods (STRONG) is a community-powered program that equips Kansas City neighborhoods to lead their own violence prevention work—through connection, collaboration, and care.
Funded by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Health Department’s Violence Prevention Fund and administered by Community Capital Fund (CCF), STRONG invests in resident-led solutions that make neighborhoods safer, healthier, and more resilient.
Why start with neighborhoods? Because they are often the first line of defense for the challenges that affect Kansas City’s most vulnerable communities. When residents are empowered to take action, they can address root causes of violence—from lack of youth programming to disconnection and disinvestment—while building stronger bonds between neighbors.
STRONG supports the vision laid out in the Blueprint for Violence Prevention: a Kansas City where every person can live in a safe, supported, and thriving neighborhood.
How STRONG Works
STRONG is a ten-month program that provides:
Funding and monthly stipends to support neighborhood leaders and their violence prevention projects
Training and technical assistance to build capacity and leadership skills
A focus on connection, safety, and long-term neighborhood health
Each project is community-driven, rooted in trust, and designed to meet the unique needs of its neighborhood—especially in historically under-resourced areas of Kansas City.
Real Stories of Neighborhood Impact
Blue Valley youth are growing more than gardens—they’re growing leadership and safety.
From mentoring to gardening to community cleanups, the Blue Valley Youth Development Program is one example of STRONG in action.
This resident-led project invests in young leaders and builds neighborhood trust to help prevent violence before it starts.
Looking Ahead
While the 2025 cohort is already underway, Strengthening the Health of Neighborhoods is part of a long-term effort to build safe, healthy, and connected communities throughout Kansas City.
We’ll continue to highlight success stories and share what’s working—because when neighbors lead, neighborhoods thrive.
Questions? Contact Program Manager Dajaun Hindsman at dajaun@ccfkansascity.org.