Eco Abet Summer Charrette 2013 ReCap

On June 13th, 2013, Eco Abet, a Kansas City-based non-profit architecture and design organization, hosted its third annual summer charrette and fund/friendraiser at the KC Design Center in Kansas City, MO. As more than 90% of the population cannot afford design services, Eco Abet bought together the Kansas City design community with several non-profit organizations and individuals that address the needs of local underserved groups. The design charrette included diverse groups of designers, along with representation from the non-profit groups being served.

There were over 50 participants and eight charrette teams signed up for the charrette. The teams collaborated to generate a solution for a specific, identified design need. The charrette took place from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm, followed by a public exhibition and reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The presentation started at 6:00 pm.

The general mission of the organization is to act as a catalyst to meet the design needs of the underserved, primarily in the Kansas City metropolitan area, by serving as a connector and conduit between the design community and other nonprofit organizations.

Funds generated by the event will be used to provide architecture and design internships with Eco Abet. In return, interns will provide a valuable design service to underserved communities. Eco Abet would like to thank event sponsors Burns & McDonnell, BNIM Architecte, Price Chopper, Boulevard Brewery, JE Dunn, and Treanor Architects. Thank you to our non profit partners Upper Room Program, St Mark Hope Center and Digital Bridge. Finally the Summer Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders and their enthusiastic team members.

Thank you everyone for supporting Eco Abet to advance it’s mission. We will keep you informed on our plans to take these projects forward. We hope to see you all at a future charrette.

Eco Abet Summer Charrette - Call for Volunteers

Eco Abet/Rockhurst University Project

Today was the final Steering Committee meeting with Rockhurst Capstone Senior Students. This semester has been amazing and we were very fortunate to be chosen by Prof.Turner White. Our many thanks to Steering Committee Members Bob Berkebile, Michelle Word, Richard Wetzel, Lynn NewKirk, Vladimir Krstic, Grant Burcham and Prof.Turner White and the senior students of the Capstone Class.

Eco Abet/Rockhurst University Project

Look forward to building the relationship between Eco Abet and the Helzberg School of Management’s Capstone Students. The expectation is to build and grow the relationship to projects and initiatives jointly determined to be mutually valuable between Eco Abet and the Helzberg School of Management. Many thanks to Professor Turner White for choosing Eco Abet as this year’s project.

Our many thanks to the Steering Committee members Bob Berkebile (BNIM), Vladimir Krstic(KCDC), Grant Burcham(MO Bank), Richard Wetzel (Centric Projects), Michelle Word(Burns & McDonnell) and Lynn Newkirk(JE Dunn) for taking time to be a part this project.

Eco Abet Winter Charrette 2012 for Cultivate KC

On December 11^th 2012, Eco Abet hosted first Winter Charrette for CultivateKC to design an energy efficient greenhouse for the low income urban farmers. Eco Abet brought together two design teams consisting of Kansas City designers, engineers and greenhouse experts to take this challenge. There were over 20 participants and two charrette teams participated in the charrette.  The charrette took place from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, followed by a presentation started at 4.30 pm.

Eco Abet would like to thank BNIM for letting us use their space. Thank you to our non profit partner Cultivate KC. Finally the Winter Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders Bob Berkebile and Dominique Davision and their enthusiastic team members.

Thank you everyone for supporting Eco Abet to advance it’s mission. We will keep you informed on our plans to take these projects forward. We hope to see you all at a future charrette.

Kansas City Homelessness Task Force calls for nine new committees to deal with problem

By MIKE HENDRICKS
The Kansas City Star

The intent was — and still is — to ensure that everyone in metro Kansas City has a place to call home.

But nearly a year behind schedule, Kansas City’s Homelessness Task Force has issued a final report that even its defenders admit falls short of expectations.

The mission was ambitious: Create a plan that “when fully implemented will end homelessness in our region.”

“We wanted them to come back with marching orders,” said former city councilwoman Cathy Jolly. Read more...

Eco Abet Summer Charrette ReCap

On July 12th, 2011, Eco Abet, a Kansas City-based non-profit architecture and design organization, hosted its first annual summer charrette and fund/friendraiser at the KC Design Center in Kansas City, MO. As more than 90% of the population cannot afford design services, Eco Abet bought together the Kansas City design community with several non-profit organizations that address the needs of local underserved groups.

The design charrette included diverse groups of designers, along with representation from the non-profit groups being served. There were over 70 participants and eight charrette teams signed up for the charrette. The teams collaborated to generate a solution for a specific, identified design need. The charrette took place from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm, followed by a public exhibition and reception from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The presentation started at 6:30 pm.

The general mission of the organization is to participate in the creation, initiation, and design of local and global architecture projects. Of special interest to Eco Abet are design projects that address the needs of children (and other vulnerable populations) that have been exposed to poverty, natural disasters, and traumas of various kinds. Eco Abet will also engage in research and prototype development for disaster relief housing, schools and clinics, community play spaces, and sustainable design solutions.

Funds generated by the event will be used to provide architecture and design internships with Eco Abet. In return, interns will provide a valuable design service to underserved communities.

Eco Abet would like to thank event sponsors Burns & McDonnell, BRR Architecture, Treanor Architects, Zahner, Spin Pizza, Magnolia's, Boulevard Brewery and My Smart Plans. Thank you to our non profit partners 816 Bike collective, New House Women Shelter, ReStart, Downtown Council and WestsideCAN. Also we would like to recognize our panel members Kirk Gastinger, Kite Singleton, Dominique Davison, Ryan Townsend, Vicki Noteis and Joy Swallow, and the panel moderator Vladimir Krstic. A big thank you to Clint Wynn volunteering his time to document the event. Finally the Summer Charrette would not be a success without the charrette team leaders Chris Mitchell, Devan Case, John Quinton, Aimee Gray, Joy Coleman, Paul Sanders, Brian Roth and Eric Boch and their enthusiastic team members.

Thank you everyone for supporting Eco Abet to advance it's mission. We will keep you informed on our plans to take these projects forward. We hope to see you all at a future charrette.

Number Of Homeless Teens In KC Grows

This article was published in 2010. But still stands true to the number of homeless teens.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The number of homeless teenagers in Kansas City is growing because of the slow economy.

KMBC's Jana Corrie reported that several teenagers shared their stories with her in hopes of opening eyes to the hidden reality.

"I didn't feel like killing myself, but I was just thinking like, 'I don't know why I'm alive because I'm just here for no reason,'" said Dominique.

"Now you are on your own and you have nobody to turn to," said Tailyre. Read more...

Fairfax County Struggles To House The Homeless and Indigent

HOMELESSNESS and affordable housing shortages are traditionally urban problems, but as suburbs urbanize, they are becoming suburban problems as well. The number of people living below the poverty level in the District (about 110,000) is dwarfed by the combined number in Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties (192,000). In those counties, dwelling prices remain high — if still below their housing bubble peaks — and rents are at record levels. That, combined with shrunken local government revenue, has left suburban localities scrambling to house their neediest residents. Read more...

816 Bike Collective Existing Facility

816 Bike Collective is a collective of individuals from diverse backgrounds working on a volunteer basis to rescue and repair bicycles. They believe in empowerment through education and support the use of bicycles as a healthy and ecological means of transportation.

Their Mission:

1. To gather and repair bicycles that would otherwise be disposed of, disregarded or destroyed
2. To distribute these bicycles to those who need them in exchange for donated time, resources or revenue – dependent on each individuals needs and means.
3. To increase the amount of people who ride bikes and time spent riding.
4. To educate the various communities in Kansas City about bicycles: including mechanics, maintenance, safety, and the potential solutions to related social and environmental issues.
5. To empower individuals by providing the education, materials and skills that facilitate self-reliant transportation.
6. To foster a sense of respect and community among participants that will extend to the greater Kansas City communities.
7. As a collective, we will never exclude or deny any individual or group based on race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, or any other aspect of their identity in word or deed. If you can assist us in any way, (i.e. tools, bikes, time, legal services, etc)

Eco abet is working with 816 Bike Collective to revovate thier recently purchased building in 31st and Cherry street.

Juniper Gardens

Juniper Gardens is a program under Catholic Charities to support strengthening refugee families and building the local food system. Read more...

Switzer Neighborhood Farm

The Westside CAN Center houses a property maintenance code enforcement officer from Kansas City's Neighborhood Preservation Division, two police officers and a neighborhood specialist. These representatives partner with residents and neighborhood leaders to improve the livability of the neighborhood. The CAN center concept was developed as part of Kansas City’s Community Policing Initiative. Our wide range of partnerships have included: Westside Housing Organization, Guadalupe Center, Inc., El Centro, Inc., City of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City Public Library, Mattie Rhodes Center, Westside Lions Club, Local Initiative Support Corporation, Kansas City Neighborhood Alliance, Probation and Parole, Division of Family Services, Mana de Kansas City, COMBAT, KCMO - Health Department, Hispanic Economic Development Corporation and the business community.

Eco Abet is working with WestsideCan to help delevope their Switzer Neighborhood farm.

816 Bicycle Collective

816 Bike Collective is a collective of individuals from diverse backgrounds working on a volunteer basis to rescue and repair bicycles. They believe in empowerment through education and support the use of bicycles as a healthy and ecological means of transportation.

Their Mission:

1. To gather and repair bicycles that would otherwise be disposed of, disregarded or destroyed
2. To distribute these bicycles to those who need them in exchange for donated time, resources or revenue – dependent on each individuals needs and means.
3. To increase the amount of people who ride bikes and time spent riding.
4. To educate the various communities in Kansas City about bicycles: including mechanics, maintenance, safety, and the potential solutions to related social and environmental issues.
5. To empower individuals by providing the education, materials and skills that facilitate self-reliant transportation.
6. To foster a sense of respect and community among participants that will extend to the greater Kansas City communities.
7. As a collective, we will never exclude or deny any individual or group based on race, class, gender, sexuality, age, ability, or any other aspect of their identity in word or deed. If you can assist us in any way, (i.e. tools, bikes, time, legal services, etc)

Eco abet is working with 816 Bike Collective to revovate thier recently bought building in Troost.