On Tuesday, Dec. 18, community members are invited to the historic Vox Theatre at 1405 Southwest Blvd. to celebrate Rosedale Development Association’s (RDA) 40th anniversary as a nonprofit in Rosedale.
The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., where guests will join RDA board and staff in enjoying light food and drinks, share stories and accomplishments from RDA’s collaborative community work over the last 40 years, and discuss visions for the future of Rosedale — a dynamic, four-square mile neighborhood in southeast Kansas City, Kansas, that over 14,000 people call home.
Unofficially organized as the Rosedale Community Council in 1945 as a grassroots, community-centered organization addressing issues such as neighborhood blight, business development, crime, zoning, and flood control, RDA received official nonprofit status in 1978. Today RDA remains committed to work with residents, businesses, and institutions to develop a thriving Rosedale community through advocacy, programs, leadership development, and community service.
In honor of this history, three of RDA’s executive directors from the past and present plan to attend this event. Current Executive Director Erin Stryka said about the special occasion: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the many, many people who have worked for the past four decades to build a thriving community in Rosedale. Rosedale owes its reputation as a vibrant, diverse, health-oriented and business friendly community to years of strategic effort by the people who live, work and play here. The 40th anniversary celebration is a chance to honor their work and look forward to the next 40 years.”
The event will also recognize the many volunteers and donors who make RDA’s work possible.
There is no charge to attend the celebration, though donations to support RDA’s work in Rosedale will be appreciated. For additional details, visit http://rosedale.org/celebrate40.