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Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) News

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Safe Neighborhoods | Immigration Reform
CCO Leaders work to build trust between residents and the police

June 23, 2010

Wendy Medina, a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and co-chair of the action, said “Building a trusting relationship between the police and the community is key. Our families live here. Our friends live here. This is where we go to church and it is important to us that everyone here is safe."

School Improvement
Kansas City district prepares for cuts in summer-school classes

April 30, 2010

Several Kansas City residents with Communities Creating Opportunity organizations were in Jefferson City on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to preserve summer school funding. Vibrant summer school programs should remain an essential part of the state’s education mission, CCO member Mary Ellen Boozer said.

Immigration Reform
Religious Leaders Travel to Arizona to Stand with Immigrants

April 29, 2010

A delegation of religious leaders from PICO traveled to Arizona today to lift up testimonies from, and pray with, residents stricken with fear ever since Governor Jan Brewer signed legislation last week criminalizing being in the state without proper documentation.

Economic Security
Kansas City congregations urge banks to fund new alternative to 400% APR payday loans

April 05, 2010

On March 31, PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO), together with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, held a summit with representatives from approximately 30 area banks, including bank presidents, to present a new small dollar loan product that they hope will serve as an alternative to payday loans that charge an average annual interest rate of 431%, trapping borrowers in a vicious cycle of debt.

Housing Opportunities | Health Care Access
Kansas Congregations Urge Rep. Dennis Moore to Fight for Families

January 26, 2010

On January 25, over 250 people crossed county and state lines to pack the sanctuary of St. Peter, CME Church in Kansas City, KS to urge Congressman Dennis Moore to keep fighting for comprehensive health care reform legislation and stepped up efforts to fight foreclosures and keep families in their homes.

School Improvement
Kansas City faith leaders take big step into improving city public schools

November 03, 2009

Juan Carlos Galindo, a youth leader from PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) in Kansas City, MO, worries about what could happen when his 3-year old brother enters kindergarten in the Kansas City Missouri School District.

Economic Security
Clergy and faith leaders continue the struggle against usury in Missouri

September 30, 2009

Clergy and faith leaders from PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) in Kansas City, Missouri held a press conference on the need to cap interest rates on payday loans to 36%. Currently, payday lenders can charge as much as 400% interest rates.

Housing Opportunities | Economic Security | Neighborhood Revitalization
Grassroots leaders in KS & MO hold hearing with Federal Reserve Advisors on economic crisis

August 05, 2009

On Saturday, August 1, grassroots faith and community leaders from PICO and National People's Action in Missouri and Kansas met with advisors from the Federal Reserve to urge them to stem the flow of bad, predatory loan products that have poured into the region over the last few years.

Housing Opportunities | Health Care Access | Economic Security
Community leaders hold Faith & Families Summit with Missouri lawmakers

April 21, 2009

On April 16, 150 people from more than 100 faith communities across Missouri traveled to the state capital with PICO affiliate Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) for a Faith and Families Summit with state lawmakers.

Housing Opportunities
Residents organize to stop illegal dumping at foreclosed properties in Kansas City

February 25, 2009

The Tri-Blenheim neighborhood in Kansas City, MO is one of many neighborhoods in the city suffering from aftermath of the foreclosure crisis, most notably the illegal dumping happening at abandoned foreclosed properties. On February 24, residents and faith leaders from Communities Creating Opportunity (CCO) gathered to ask the city to increase accountability on vacant property.

Housing Opportunities
Kansas City joins national campaign to prevent foreclosures

November 11, 2008

Health Care Access
Kansas City wins victory in "Roadmap” to cover all children

May 08, 2008

Health Care Access
Leaders lay out "healthy communities" vision for Missouri

April 09, 2008

Housing Opportunities
PICO in FL, MA, CA, and MO help homeowners deal with foreclosures

March 04, 2008

Health Care Access
States make progress on children's health

July 24, 2007

Health Care Access
Missouri restores coverage to 6,000 low-income children

July 23, 2007

Health Care Access
PBS NewsHour features PICO Cover all Children Campaign

May 28, 2007

Health Care Access
PICO federations get out the vote for tobacco tax initiatives in California and Missouri

November 06, 2006

Health Care Access
Kansas City and Denver rally for full funding of SCHIP

November 05, 2006

Health Care Access
California and Missouri fight to save lives

October 31, 2006

Health Care Access
Kansas City CCO Sets the Stage for Community Leadership in Health Care

October 25, 2006

Youth Development | Immigration Reform
Kansas City wins Soccer Parks for Immigrant Youth

June 21, 2006

Housing Opportunities | Neighborhood Revitalization
Rebuilding communities in Kansas City

November 30, 2005


CCO Accomplishments in 2005 and Future Plans

August 19, 2005

Housing Opportunities
Kansas City leaders pledge $5 million for home repairs

February 08, 2005

Housing Opportunities
Kansas City begins fixing troubled housing system

August 03, 2004

Housing Opportunities
Kansas City campaigns for new city housing policy

June 15, 2004

Economic Security
Missouri Governor embraces Payday Lending legislation

March 22, 2004