The HNMA and Dotte Agency were featured in a IN OUR BACKYARDS (IOBY) video discussing tips on launching a successful Community Health Project. The video discusses collaborating with the community and bringing the community to the table for the project.

HNMA’s Executive Director, Rachel Jefferson, was recently appointed to the Board of Director’s for the MERC Co+op. The MERC is a cooperative grocery store that will be opening a new location in downtown KCK. Appointing two members of KCK will help to raise the voices of the community in the planning and decision-making process of the new grocery store.

The Unified Government has launched an interview series featuring local community leaders and project heads. Rachel Jefferson, HNMA's Executive Director, is interviewed in episode 5 - Boulevard Lofts. You can see her section starting at minuet 19:18. She discusses HNMA’s history, mission, and programs before diving into discussing the Boulevard Lofts. For more From Our Neighborhoods Up - Community Show episodes click here.

Downtown KCK will be receiving a MERC co-op grocery store. This video contains the whole ceremony including HNMA Executive Director Rachel Jefferson specking on behalf of HNMA and the MERC board.

Dozens of teens gather monthly at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County for a youth action board meeting to brainstorm ways to improve the community. Changing the perception of Wyandotte as 'Crime-dotte' is top of their list.

In 2012, Wyandotte County was ranked the unhealthiest in the state of Kansas. A lack of fresh, healthy food had contributed to a public health crisis, and as of today, one census tract in the area has the highest estimated rate of Type 2 diabetes in all of the state. Instead of waiting for a corporate grocery store to take notice of food insecurity here, local organizations—with help from designers—have put matters into the community’s hands by developing a plan for the Northeast Grocer Co-Op.

Even though the Heartland supplies a large chunk of the nation's food, many Kansas Citians are still going hungry. On this episode, we dive into a conversation on how to address the food deserts in Kansas City.

• Beth Low-Smith, vice president of policy, KC Healthy Kids

• Rachel Jefferson, executive director, Historic Northeast Midtown Association

• Max Kaniger, founder, Kanbe's Markets

Alternative newspapers offer a unique perspective on the news, events and culture of a city. But how are they handling an era where print media struggles? Today, we look at the role alt-weeklies/monthlies play both here in Kansas City and across the nation. 

The Historic Northeast-Midtown Association has partnered with the Dotte Agency and Northwest Middle School to complete neighborhood walk audits in Northeast KCK.

Students at Northwest Middle School are preparing to make their communities better by conducting a neighborhood audit. 

"Can Restoring Parks Lead to Better Health in Wyandotte County?"