2021 COMBAT Funding: $24,000.00

In Della Lamb Community Services' Own Words

Della Lamb Community Services (“Della Lamb”) Youth Services offers positive alternative activities for at-risk youth, ages 5-19. These programs are structured through a neighborhood-based after school / evening / weekend format and include multiple options for kids to connect with engaged caring adult role models. These activities provide alternatives with long-term impact on the social-emotional wellbeing of our youth, families and the broader community.

Services In Heart Of Jackson County

The Della Lamb Youth Services program has a varied schedule of activities integrating academic and recreational opportunities. These initiatives allow for social play and peer interaction with caring adults. The program is located in the heart of Jackson County targeted neighborhoods in close proximity to multiple public housing projects and within ethnically diverse populations, including refugees and immigrants as well as low-income African American, Caucasian and Hispanic populations. Della Lamb Youth Services has a reputation for excellence, always putting the emotional well-being of our youth members at the forefront.

Journey Into Early Adulthood

Regarding our project performance, we hope to journey with children and youth and to equip and celebrate their launch into early adulthood. One measurement for assessing the journey is the number of participants in Youth Services who have earned college scholarships. In the past 10 years, nearly 70 low-income youth engaged in Youth Services have earned college scholarships through participation in Youth Services.  

Parenting Skills

In addition, our program focuses on parenting skills among low-income Kansas City families seeking supportive social services. Della Lamb’s parenting skill development program helps to address immediate needs of single-parented families, mostly matriarchal, who respect and rely upon staff and volunteers to reinforce good decision-making. 

Mothers working hard to make ends meet often need emotional reinforcement as well as the skills and tools necessary to help address youth emotional and behavioral issues at home. In an already economically burdened household, it can be tough to consistently provide the diligent care that promotes long-term wellness for all members of the nuclear family. The Love and Logic model provides a variety of simple and effective strategies to support parenting in those critical moments to nurture the child beyond the immediate stressors of most any given situation. As the program evolves, we continue to assess available models to equip our parents.

Need In A Hot Spot

Crime hot-spot data indicates that the Della Lamb’s service area shows one of the most concentrated locations of crime in Jackson County. Within these areas, low-income, at-risk youth often lack access to positive influences and mentors and often experience extended idle time with little to no structure. This environment often leads to poor decision-making, compromised emotional wellbeing, unhealthy lifestyle decisions, and participation in situations which may put them further at-risk for future and current poverty-bound cycles.