Category: Communities

Friends of Yates celebrates with Holiday at the Apollo

Robert (Bob) Milan Sr., board president, extended a welcome at the Friends of Yates’ Holiday at the Apoll0 gala on Dec. 18. (Photo from Friends of Yates)
Arica Roland, executive director, gave an overview of the 2021 program at the Friends of Yates Holiday at the Apollo gala Dec. 18. (Photo from Friends of Yates)

Friends of Yates celebrated 108 years of service by holding its “Holiday at The Apollo” Annual Meeting and Benefit Gala on Dec. 18.

The 2020 Holiday at the Apollo Gala was canceled for safety reasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year the event was held virtually, yielding an exciting yet a safe time. This jubilant event showcased the outstanding work the organization has done in the community throughout the last 108 years as well as 2021, in spite of COVID-19 and its variants.

The mistress of ceremony for the afternoon was Carolynn Washington, Friends of Yates, Shelter-client services manager. She sang original festive songs that made the audience burst with laughter and cheer in excitement.

The Rev. Desmond Lamb, pastor of Forest Grove Baptist Church, delivered an invocation.

Robert (Bob) Milan Sr., Board of Directors, president, extended a welcome to the viewing audience and the staff and board members in attendance and thanked them for their continued support of Friends of Yates during these challenging times.

The audience listened to Friends of Yates special events coordinator and retired executive director – CEO, LaDora Lattimore, as she provided attendees with the reason for this occasion. As always, she captivated guests with her wisdom and unequivocal passion for Friends of Yates and its mission.

Lattimore spoke about her returning to Yates as the special events coordinator which allows her to maintain her commitment to community through event planning. She expressed accolades about the staff and all the many community members, organizations and government officials who have contributed to Friends of Yates’ success.


Arica Roland, Friends of Yates executive director, addressed the audience by giving the 2021 program overview of Friends of Yates program – The Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Domestic Violence Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence and their dependent children.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect victims and survivors, The Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Domestic Violence Center continued to provide services which included shelter and supportive housing services to over 180 adult and 81 child survivors of domestic violence, answered over 9,749 calls which included not only crisis calls and safety planning, but information and referrals and provided over 10,000 hours of supportive services to residential and non-residential survivors and their children in the areas of personal advocacy, court-legal advocacy, safety planning, translation services, economic advocacy, housing advocacy, transportation, domestic violence education and support groups, substance abuse counseling, individual mental health and trauma support, emergency financial assistance and child advocacy.

Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams center provided virtual and in person community outreach and awareness to over 3,600 individuals and groups. It also assisted 71 individuals with either obtaining or maintaining permanent housing by providing rent, deposit, and utility assistance. Friends of Yates is a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation, when everyone else stops, it keeps going to accommodate those in need. On behalf of Friends of Yates, Roland wished everyone a wonderful holiday season and to continue to be a blessing in all they do.

A courageous survivor participating in the Della Gill – Joyce H. Williams Center program shared her personal story of victimization, her journey, and how she has found strength and gained her freedom back since coming to the shelter for services. She praised the center’s advocates for their dedication, compassion and care, contributing to her growth and breakthroughs.

The gala ended a triumphant year for Friends of Yates. The “Stranded in the City Band” performed in concert and got people on their feet to dance. To close out the gala, the benediction was delivered by the Rev. Robert Milan Jr., pastor of Greater Faith Missionary Baptist Church.

Throughout Friends of Yates’ 108-year tenure, it has been diligent in its commitment to innovative and holistic community programming.

Some of its programs include emergency-supportive housing provided through the Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Center for survivors of domestic and sexual violence; Pathway to Advocacy for Violence Free Living and Economic Empowerment (P.A.V.E.), Trauma Recovery Empowerment Model (TREM); Bridge S.P.A.N. Healthcare, which provides advocacy as a link between hospitals, clinics and community resources; and Crime Awareness Coordinating Effort (C.A.C.E), which brings crime focus groups together to address the issue of crime in the community and solutions to eradicate it. Friends of Yates Inc. continues to maintain excellence without sacrificing quality by continuing to analyze its program outcomes and testimonials of those served.

A Friends of Yates spokesman thanked all who participated, attended and donated toward this event, for it enables the organization to continue and enhance the services of Friends of Yates.

In February the 41st Annual Black Men and Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will be held in commemoration of Black History Month. This event will celebrate the accomplishments of trailblazers along with the other honorary Black Men and Women of Distinction.

For further information about Friends of Yates and upcoming events, contact the office of Carlen Davis at 913-321-1566, ext. 255 or via email cdavis@friendsofyates.org.

  • Story and photos from Carlen Davis, Friends of Yates
Carolyn Washington, shelter-client services manager, was mistress of ceremonies at the Friends of Yates Holiday at the Apollo gala Dec. 18. (Photo from Friends of Yates)
LaDora Lattimore, special events coordinator, praised the staff, volunteers and others who have contributed to the success of Friends of Yates. (Photo from Friends of Yates)
The Rev. Robert Milan Jr. gave a benediction at the gala event for Friends of Yates. (Photo from Friends of Yates)
The Stranded in the City Band performed at the Holiday at the Apollo gala event. (Photo from Friends of Yates)

KCK downtown street named after preschool

A street near 7th and Nebraska has been named “Pandarama Lane,” honoring the Pandarama Pre-School that was there for more than 20 years. (Photo from Kathy Hanis)

The Pandarama Pre-School, which was located at 7th and Nebraska for years, has been honored with an intersection named after it.

The honorary street sign now says, “Pandarama Lane,” according to Tiffany Harper, daughter of the original owners, Morris and Carolyn Sipple.

The honors were complete with a ceremony last Saturday, attended by Harper, her family, Mayor Tyrone Garner, public works employees and community members. The honorary street name was approved at the Sept. 9 Unified Government Commission meeting.

Now completely closed and retired, the Pandarama Pre-School building itself has just been purchased by a new preschool owner, Demetria Spencer, who has managed preschools previously. Plans are for the new owners to open a new preschool there in mid-2022, Harper said.

Harper grew up with the Pandarama Pre-School, and in fact, finding good preschool care for her was one of the reasons her parents started the preschool.

The Pandarama Pre-School name was used at three different locations in the Kansas City area throughout its 46 years, with about 23 years at the 7th and Nebraska location, she said.

Its first location was at 24th and Garfield in Kansas City, Kansas, in a converted home that her parents and uncle opened as a preschool, Harper said.

“I personally was one of their first students,” Harper recalled. She was at a different preschool when her parents were trying to find better quality care.

Harper went on in life to follow in the footsteps of her parents. She started working during the summers as a teacher’s support and aide at day care. Her first degree was from Kansas City Kansas Community College in early childhood education. That was followed by a bachelor’s degree in communications and theater from Rockhurst College.

Harper then served as executive director of the Pandarama Pre-School for 18 years. Currently Harper is owner and director of the Learning Curve Center at 75th and Nieman in Johnson County.

The COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic had an effect on the Pandarama Pre-School, as it did on many small businesses throughout the nation.

Harper said it was challenging economically to be able to afford to stay open with less business and less foot traffic. Businesses are having to change the model of how they operate to accommodate people, she said.

They also have to try to accommodate children whose parents can’t afford their services post-COVID because they are not getting the same funding, she added.

Small businesses including preschools also are indirectly challenged socially and emotionally, Harper said. The pandemic affected everyone’s life, and preschools are often left to their own devices to figure out how to address a lot of indirect pandemic trauma, not only to children but also to their parents, she said.

“We’ve found community partners who have supported us during the process,” she said. However, at this time Harper and her husband found that it was best to sell the building to someone else who could provide a preschool there.

Another past challenge was unique, faced by Pandarama Pre-School in 2014 when the state of Kansas tried to open a parole office in a vacant building next door to the preschool. State legislators from Wyandotte County worked together with the preschool and community to block that idea. Currently, the formerly vacant building next to the preschool is occupied by a business which is a good neighbor, Harper said.

Through the years, Pandarama Pre-School meant a lot to everyone, and it has decades of legacies left in education and early learning, Harper said. It meant jobs for the owners and employees.

“It meant hope for young black children who could see young black business owners succeeding,” Harper said. “It meant a legacy for our family, for myself and my brothers, who were able to see our parents as successful.

“To the community, it provided support for their children, to keep them active in the summer,” Harper said.

It kept the children involved through the school year and gave them the support that they otherwise might not have had if they were at home alone.

“It also provided jobs for hundreds of people over the last several decades,” Harper said.

Saturday events

Free COVID vaccines available for children 5-11 today at Donnelly

Free COVID vaccines for children 5-11 years old from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Donnelly College Event Center, 608 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The clinic is open to children. Signups are at https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/697014812138174049/false#/invitation.

COVID vaccines, testing, flu shots and free food today at Mt. Carmel Church


A COVID vaccine drive-through event is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Mt. Carmel Church, 2025 N. 12th St., Kansas City, Kansas. This event will have COVID vaccines, testing, flu shots and free food. COVID vaccines are for ages 12 and older, while flu shots are for ages 3 to 65. Everyone who receives a COVID vaccine will get a $25 gift card, and the first 100 people will receive two gift cards. The first 300 people to get a COVID test, COVID vaccine or flu shot will receive a free frozen chicken. The food and giveaways are available until supplies run out. The Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force is a sponsor of this event, with several other groups.

Winter Speakers Series to start Saturday at Grinter Place

Grinter Place will kick off its Winter Speakers Series at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. David Meditz will speak about George Washington Jackson, a Wyandotte County citizen who had ties to the late President U.S. Grant. The Dec. 11 presentation will include information about a Spanish-American War infantry unit with almost all Wyandotte County residents. Grinter Place is a state historic site at 1420 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas. The museum is the 1857 home of Moses and Annie Grinter. There is no admission charge for the speakers series. Questions and answers will follow the program, which is expected to be 30 to 45 minutes long. Tours of the Grinter House will be available. The historic house is decorated for Christmas in the style of the 1850s. Light refreshments including cinnamon rolls, coffee and tea, will be served on Dec. 11.

Olde World Christmas tours at Strawberry Hill Museum

The Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kansas, is decorated for the holidays, and is offering tours of the museum. There are scheduled tours only available. For more information and tickets, visit https://strawberryhillmuseum.org/.

Santa’s Express in Lights continues at Ag Hall


This is the last weekend for the Ag Hall’s drive-through holiday light show, Santa’s Express in Lights, from Dec. 10-12 at 126th and State Avenue, Bonner Springs. People will stay in their cars. The family-friendly show from 5:30 to 9 p.m. will feature a drive-through living nativity, with animals including sheep, goats, camel, cow and donkey. Christmas trees will be decorated, and the Ag Hall buildings and train will be lighted. Kids can wave to Santa Claus, and can drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox. People may drop off canned goods for area food pantries. The admission charge will be $10 per car, with proceeds benefiting the Ag Hall. See Ag Hall, https://www.aghalloffame.com/events/santas-express-in-lights

Knights of Lights celebration at Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival returns with Knights of Lights Holiday Celebration from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday and 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, on the festival grounds, 130th and State, Bonner Springs. Patrons may walk through the Renaissance Festival grounds, viewing lights, enjoying performances, and buying food. The cost will be $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids 5-12 in advance. At the gate, prices are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 5-12. Producing the Renaissance Festival’s light show will be Landers’ Visions.
Hours at the Renaissance Festival will be Thursdays and Sundays: 5-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 5-11 p.m., Dec. 20-24: from 5-10 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. On New Year’s Eve, open for a special celebration from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. See Renaissance Festival, https://www.kcrenfest.com/2021-knights-of-lights/

Holiday Light and Magic show in the park

New this year at 126th and State will be the Unified Government’s Parks Department’s drive-through Holiday Light and Magic show, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, in Wyandotte County Park, 126th and State, Bonner Springs.
With the UG’s mile-long drive-through contact-less lighting show, patrons will buy advance tickets online for a time slot per day. The time slots are aimed at controlling traffic. For example, tickets are available for 6 p.m., 7 p.m. 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The cost of the tickets will be $25 per car, $35 per commercial van, and $45 per bus on Fridays and Saturdays. The holiday light shows will go through Jan. 2.
People at the UG’s light show will stay in their cars. Tickets for the UG’s Holiday Light and Magic show will not be sold in person at the gate. All tickets are sold in advance online. Proceeds go to the UG Parks. See UG Parks Department, https://holidaylightandmagic.com/

It’s recommended to visit the website for the holiday light show you’re interested in before going. Also, look at the maps, directions and other information posted online to make sure you’re in the right place.