Featured Project On May 17, 2006, Greater Kansas City LISC staff joined officials from the Kansas City Chiefs in presenting a $50,000 NFL Grassroots Program grant to Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City, Kan. NFL Grassroots is a national program in which the National Football League provides funding to LISC for the refurbishment of inner-city football fields. LISC then passes the money through to select CDCs who manage the development of the project. The renovation will be administered by CHWC Inc., the CDC who sponsored the application of Bishop Ward. Bishop Ward High lies in the heart of two neighborhoods: St. Peters and Waterway. Both neighborhoods are participating in the Greater Kansas City LISC NeighborhoodsNOW revitalization program. "Parks and playing fields can be tremendous community assets because they offer opportunities for recreation, education and relaxation that contribute to the local quality of life, especially for young people," said Julie Porter, Executive Director for Greater Kansas City LISC. "These fields are a critical part of our efforts to create sustainable communities -places where people want to live, work and raise families." Over 400 students and KCK residents were on hand as Carl Peterson, KC Chiefs President, and Kansas City Chiefs players Kendrell Bell, Kawika Mitchell, Jeremy Parquett and Nick Reid presented the check. The event was covered by media from all the local television stations, the KC Star, the Leaven and Midwest Sports. The renovation of Dorney Field includes a new eight-foot vinyl fence that will replace the current barbed wire fence, a new landscaped plaza, an improved irrigation system and improvements that will level the field. The school raised more than $85,000 to match the Grassroots grant. The field will be used for physical education and organized football and soccer, and by the Catholic Youth Organization for football and track events. The Bishop Ward project is the fifth NFL Grassroots Program grant awarded in the Kansas City area through LISC. A total of $600,000 has been awarded. Previous grant awards include:
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