{"id":61373,"date":"2023-01-02T19:03:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-03T01:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?post_type=newsroom&p=61373"},"modified":"2024-09-12T10:00:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T15:00:55","slug":"support-habitat-neighborhood-revitalization-program-and-rock-the-block-kc","status":"publish","type":"newsroom","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/newsroom\/people-culture\/support-habitat-neighborhood-revitalization-program-and-rock-the-block-kc\/","title":{"rendered":"H&R Block Supports Habitat\u2019s Neighborhood Revitalization Program in 11 Communities Nationwide, and Rocks the Block in Kansas City, Kan."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For three years, H&R Block has been helping increase access to quality housing and better neighborhood spaces through local grants and associate volunteerism with Habitat for Humanity International\u2019s network of affiliates.<\/em> To build on its commitment to <\/em>Make Every Block Better<\/em><\/a>, H&R Block awarded $300,000 to help fund Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Revitalization projects across the nation. One of those projects was a Rock the Block event in the Armourdale neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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As we start the new year with a steadfast commitment to community, we reflect on one of our events from last fall. Habitat KC\u2019s<\/a> Rock the Block events concentrate volunteers on clusters of homes in strategic neighborhoods, making needed repairs of all sizes. The impact is striking but it\u2019s more than just curb appeal that is restored. Rock the Block helps restore pride in homeownership and helps increase community connections along the way. Last fall, nearly 80 H&R Block employee volunteers helped Rock the Block in the Armourdale neighborhood in Kansas City, Kan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One in 10 Kansas City families spends more than 50 percent of their income on housing. When families spend disproportionately on housing, they are forced to make impossible choices on other basic needs such as food, health care and transportation. Habitat KC believes that every family should have the opportunity to afford, maintain and preserve their home. With the support of a grant from H&R Block, volunteers with Habitat KC, H&R Block, and John Friske Elementary worked alongside residents to improve 16 homes in the Armourdale neighborhood. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cWe are so grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with the Armourdale neighborhood residents, John Fiske Elementary and H&R Block on Rock the Block,\u201d said Lindsay Hicks, interim president and CEO of Habitat KC. \u201cWorking together we collectively acted and implemented projects that contributed to positive outcomes. We look forward to continuing our partnerships and improving the quality of life for local residents.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because neighborhood revitalization is a central part of Habitat KC\u2019s work, H&R Block volunteers worked on a playground rejuvenation project at John Fiske Elementary School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHabitat KC and H&R Block revitalized many houses in the Armourdale community, adding beauty, color, and energy,\u201d said John Fiske Elementary Principal Joe W. Graham. \u201cThe changes brought much excitement and pride to our students and families. Rock the Block also helped the students at John Fiske Elementary by freshening up our playground. Thanks so much for serving our Lions!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This project was one of 11 neighborhood revitalization<\/a> projects H&R Block funded across the nation. The projects were selected based on Habitat for Humanity’s Quality of Life Framework<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n