Your Chamber at Work - December 6, 2021

FROM THE KC CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO

As part of our Welcoming KC effort, the Chamber is working with the three local agencies charged with supporting the relocation of refugees from Afghanistan. These organizations have committed to resettling 550 Afghan evacuees, but will almost certainly receive more arrivals throughout the new year as individuals and families are moved from international military bases to ones based in the U.S. and into our communities.

There are two areas of need that Chamber members can help fill: housing and employment.

Housing: Agencies are getting as little as a single week’s notice to ensure safe and comfortable housing for Afghan arrivals. Because of this, agencies have used temporary solutions (think hotels) until a more permanent solution can be reached. These agencies need more partnerships with landlords who offer affordable housing and are willing to accept refugees as tenants.

Employment: In order to become self-sufficient, stable employment for new refugees is critical. We’re looking for employers willing to employ refugees and immigrants and provide a workplace where they can succeed.

If you can help either with affordable housing or employment opportunities, please contact the Chamber’s Jessica Gall.

Donations and volunteers are also needed. Financial support and in-kind donations such as furniture and household items are encouraged. Each agency accepts different items, so please check directly with the organization if you’re wishing to donate these items. Or shop their Amazon wish lists to fulfill specific requests. Here are the links:

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas: Click here to donate; click here to volunteer.

Della Lamb: Click here to donate; click here to volunteer; click here for Della Lamb’s Amazon wishlist.

Jewish Vocational Services: Click here to donate; click here to volunteer; click here for JVS’s Amazon wishlist.

Please help us welcome these new Kansas City residents. They need our help.

ECONOMIC FORECAST

Supply chain issues. Inflation. Workforce shortages. A new COVID variant. As we end 2021, we look ahead to 2022 on what the economy will look like. Economic Frank Lenk brings his expert lens to the KC Chamber’s virtual Economic Forecast, this Thursday, December 9, 8 to 9:30 a.m. Register now for this annual event, which sets the tone for what we can expect next year, and what the big challenges and successes could look like. Journalist Mary Sanchez of Kansas City PBS also moderates a panel featuring Chris Kuehl of Armada CI, Niki DaSilva of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, business immigration attorney Mira Mdivani, and Angelique Nedved of SchoolSmartKC to discuss the workforce talent pipeline, how immigration reform is impacting pandemic employment numbers, global supply chain issues, and inflation. This event is virtual with a $10 admission. Special thanks to our Economic Forecast Presenting Sponsor, BMO Harris Bank. Additional sponsors include Black & Veatch, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Grant Thornton, and UMB.

NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKING: SHOP LOCAL KC

Attention Santas, bring your nice list to our next Neighborhood Networking at Shop Local KC, December 17, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Join us at their Midtown location at 3630 Main St. Shop Local KC is a retail gift and flower shop as well as a curated, online marketplace featuring more than 300 Kansas City artisans. Enjoy a great coffee, connection, and pick up some of KC’s best gifts in plenty of time for the holidays. Chamber members can register here for free; it’s $15 for non-members. The KC Chamber's 2021 Neighborhood Networking Sponsors are Menlo and Unbound. Our 2021 overall networking sponsors are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Delta Dental, and Mazuma.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING POVERTY IN KANSAS CITY – AN INTERACTIVE SIMULATION

Join us for our next Diversity & Inclusion Workshop as we present United Way of Greater Kansas City’s interactive poverty simulation Tuesday, December 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants will navigate a world where families rarely have enough time and resources, while working in small groups to complete a series of budget exercises. The free workshop is designed to help participants better understand families in low-wage jobs struggling to make ends meet, and to leave you with ways to support and empower vulnerable families in KC. Our Diversity & Inclusion Workshop Series Presenting Sponsor is Commerce Bank. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presenting Sponsors are CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Evergy and Hallmark. This event series is being presented in partnership with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, Grandview Chamber of Commerce, Independence Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce, Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

HOLIDAY SOCIAL WITH TOM’S TOWN DISTILLING CO.

Join us at Tom’s Town Distilling Co., December 9, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at 1701 Main St. You can enjoy a special Chamber cocktail and happy hour pricing until 6:30. Hear from co-founder David Epstein and connect with Chamber members and Chamber staff. It’s a great way to end the year and support one of KC’s great small businesses. For details on registration click here.