CENTRAL AVENUE BETTERMENT ASSOCIATION

Programs

1. La Placita, Central Avenue Market at Bethany Park: La Placita is CABA's flagship community market, initiated to revitalize Bethany Park into a safe, vibrant, and family-friendly destination. What began as a monthly initiative has grown into a weekly hub of activity, featuring local vendors, fresh produce, live music, and family activities. The market has been instrumental in positive place-making, actively displacing negative activity in the park. It serves as a critical small business incubator, providing a low-barrier entry point for entrepreneurs to test and grow their ventures. 20,000+ residents and visitors were served in the 2024 season. It supports nearly 40 local vendors and organizations each week.

   $77,874 spent
   27% of program spending

2. Day of the Dead Celebration: CABA's Day of the Dead celebration is a major cultural event that transforms Central Avenue into a vibrant, communal space of remembrance and artistry. We honor this profound tradition by facilitating large-scale public altars (ofrendas), traditional dance performance, live music, and artisanal markets. This event provides a platform for cultural education and intergenerational sharing, preserving an important intangible heritage for the entire metro area. It fosters a deep sense of pride and identity within the Latino community while making it accessible to a diverse audience. There were 19,000+ attendees at our latest event. This event engages over 100 local artists, performers, and volunteers. It serves as a significant cultural tourism driver for Kansas City, Kansas.

   $74,989 spent
   26% of program spending

3. Summer Mentoring Program: * Provides 4th year high school students with mentors and situational experiences plus good work practices designed to prepare and to focus the student on personal successes. * Builds self-esteem giving young persons the inner strength to resist negative peer pressure. * Gives the community positive student/resident/business interaction. * Provides actual situational and work experiences generating future life success paths. * Pays a stipend after completion of the contract. * The program is open to Central Avenue Area High School Seniors. Program's History - For many Years CABA has held the "Student Job Placement Program" Sponsored by the Board of Public Utilities. During the year 2014 and after the execution of the SJPP a full revision of the program's goals and reach was reviewed and within the revision, structural changes were made to the program to increase the participant's community awareness and the promotion of student's leadership. The promotion of leadership and higher education became the specific goals, however, the generation of personal and community pride and the breaking of self-imposed and cultural barriers, were embedded into the new…

   $17,305 spent
   6% of program spending

4. Dotteversity Parade: As CABA's longest-running community tradition, the Dotteversity Parade has celebrated the unique diversity and spirit of our community for nearly five decades. This family-friendly event features vibrant floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and community groups. The parade is a cornerstone of local identity, fostering unity and civic pride across generations. It creates an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere that strengthens community bonds. 9,000 attendees were drawn to the commercial corridor for this event. There were 47 parade floats and 45 vendor booths in the park.

   $5,769 spent
   2% of program spending

5. The Flavors of Central Tour: This curated culinary tour showcases the authentic and diverse Latino cuisine that has made Central Avenue a regional dining destination. The tour guides participants through a self-paced exploration of our corridor's unique restaurants, offering a taste of their most iconic dishes. The tour directly drives revenue to local restaurants and introduces them to a new, eager customer base. It builds culinary literacy and appreciation, positioning Central Avenue as an essential food Mecca. There were 23 participating restaurants along the Central Avenue corridor. There were 245 participants (187 ticketed guests + 58 invited community leaders). It mobilized 20 volunteers and generated significant online engagement with 378 unique website hits.

   $2,884 spent
   1% of program spending

6. Other program service accomplishments include Free Wheels for Kids, an Earth Day event, and a Cinco de Mayo Celebration.

   $109,600 spent
   38% of program spending

The 6 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $288,421.