Upper Room KC

08/21/2026

As the 2026 After-School Program gets into full swing, take a look back at our All-Staff Training from this past weekend! Site Directors and Youth Development Leaders were trained in Trauma-Informed Care by University Health KC, activity planning, procedures, and all key details needed for success in the 2026-2027 academic year. A couple of big thanks to all the staff for your time, Friendship Baptist Church of Kansas City for having us, and De'Andrea and Lisa from University Health KC for the presentation and meaningful conversations!

08/14/2026

Thank you, SWF Tennis, for acknowledging Mrs. Robin Winfrey's impact on KC urban youth!

Thanks to Robin Winfrey - 20+ year staff member at our community partner for education - Upper Room KC. Robin is retiring, and we thank her for her service to kids throughout urban KCMO. We will keep the momentum going!

08/14/2026

Dear Staff, Partners, and Friends of Upper Room,

We are pleased to share that Robin will retire from Upper Room KC effective August 31, 2026, after more than 20 years of dedicated service to our organization, our students, and our families.

Robin’s journey with Upper Room has been a long and meaningful one. She began as a Site Director and went on to serve in a number of roles over the years, ultimately becoming our Compliance Manager.

Throughout her time with Upper Room, Robin has contributed to the daily work, growth, and stability of the organization in countless ways. She has supported staff, helped strengthen our programs and processes, and remained deeply committed to the students and families at the heart of our mission.

Twenty-plus years of service is an incredible milestone, and we are grateful for all Robin has given to Upper Room and to the broader community.

Please join us in celebrating Robin, thanking her for her many years of service, and wishing her all the best in her next chapter.

With much appreciation,
Tonia Gilbert, Executive Director

08/11/2026

08/04/2026

With sincere gratitude, we thank these outstanding brothers for taking time out of their busy schedules to pour into the youth through the HeLeads Workshop Empowerment Panel’s with nonprofit partners Operation Breakthrough and Upper Room KC.

• Dan Smith – Co-Founder, The Porter House KC
• Ish Shumate – Manager of Community Impact, Kansas City Chiefs
• Davin Gordon – Executive Director of Fund Development, Sam Rodgers Health Health KC
• Tony Temple – Founder, TempleMade Fitness
• Chris Goode – Owner, Ruby Jean's Juicery
• Brandon Calloway – Founder, KC G.I.F.T
• Isaac Collins – Owner, Fifth & Emery KC - Frozen Yogurt. Chocolate. Caramel Apples
• Joe Blaque – Grammy Award-Winning Producer & Owner, DISTRKCT KC 🎶
• Steve Dulley – Coach Lincoln Prep Academy & Founder, B1G Basketball Club

Thank you for your leadership, wisdom, and commitment to empowering the next generation. Your willingness to share your experiences and invest in our young people is greatly appreciated.

07/23/2026

Love to see this! After the HeLeads workshop wrapped up, some of our female Garrison students got an opportunity to take part in a SheLeads workshop! We'd absolutely love to see more SheLeads workshops in the future, Kansas City Connection!

07/21/2026

We appreciate you, Kansas City Connection, for your hard work and dedication to our Garrison Students this summer with the Respect and Integrity workshops!

07/21/2026

07/20/2026

🏫 Around the Room 🏫

With everything going on around Upper Room KC, here's a quick look at the week of July 20th.

☀️ Summer Academic Program
-Welcome to the final week of the 2026 Summer Academic Program!

-Reminder: on the last day, Friday, July 24th, there will be an early dismissal, and students must be picked up by 1 PM.

-Gift Card Distribution is this week on July 24th from 3 PM to 6 PM and July 25th from 9 AM to 1 PM, at Covenant Presbyterian Church (5931 Swope Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64130)

-The field trip this week
*An off-site field trip, with sites going to Main Event for field day on July 20th.

-Enrichments at sites this week
*Art, Cool Kids Chemistry, KC Jazz Orchestra, Music, PE, Scouting, Soccer, Take The Stage, Temple Made Fitness, Tennis, What If Puppets
*Please check with your site for the specific enrichments happening at your child’s site this week.

07/13/2026

🦒 Field Trip Preview🦒

Our next off-site trip is to the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium on July 14,15, and 16. Here's a quick preview of our field trip!

-Days to Know: July 14-16
*July 14 (Calvary Temple, Mary Williams Neal, Metropolitan, Each One Teach One)
*July 15 (Bethel, Garrison, St. James, Palestine, Covenant)
*July 16 (Friendship, KCGPA, Paseo, Holy Cross)

-Times to know: Sites arrive at 9 AM, and sites return at 11:30 AM

-What to bring: Please send your child with a refillable water bottle!

-What will be provided: Temple Made Fitness will provide a backpack!

-About the Kansas City Zoo
*The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is a 202-acre nature sanctuary and home to nearly 10,000 animals spanning over 400 species!

*Has been featured as one of the top 60 Zoos in the United States.