District III Newsletter

Jardine STEM & Career Exploration Magnet Partners with

Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA)

Students at Jardine will have a unique opportunity to learn about careers in the community, thanks to a new program with the Wichita Independent Business Association. The new WIBA & Jardine Sponsorship Program will provide mentors, mini-internships and industry expert presentations to teach Jardine students about different career options. Phil Ruffin, Sr., from Ruffin Companies made a $100,000 donation to support the program. The attached video is of Jardine's open house and special assembly to thank Mr. Ruffin and WIBA members for the donation.

Mayor's Youth Council Accepting Applications Wichi ta Residents Currently in Grades 8-11 Encouraged to Ap ply

The Mayor's Youth Council (MYC) has opened its application process for the 2016-2017 academic year. Students who live in Wichita and are currently in grades 8 through 11 are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on March 18. Applications are available on the City of Wichita's website at www.wichita.gov and can be submitted to the City Manager's Office on the 13th floor of City Hall, 455 N. Main, or by email at [email protected] .

Applicants will be evaluated on their civic interest, community service experience, and leadership potential. Up to 40 members will be selected after application reviews and interviews.

MYC members have lobbied in Topeka, traveled to across the country for national conferences, hosted leadership forums, planned community service activities, and provided their feedback to City Council members and City staff, among other member-led initiatives.

Former Mayor Carl Brewer formed the youth council in 2007 to give local youth the opportunity to learn about city government and engage in community issues.

Looking for activities to do over Spring Break click here!

Check out what's happening at the Library by
clicking here!

Spring Break Programs for Children at the Wichita Public Library

The Wichita Public Library will be providing special children's programs over spring break, from Saturday, March 12 through Friday, March 18.

From celebrating popular fictional characters like Batman and SkippyJon Jones to watching a Disney movie to exploring the hands-on fun of creating recycled jewelry or Chibitronics, a variety of programs for youth of all ages will occur at six Library locations across the City.

Due to space and/or supply limitations, some events have a registration. All events are free.

The full schedule of all programs happening at the Library can be found on the event calendar at www.wichitalibrary.org.

Fire Department Safety

WFD is taking applications for the next Citizen's Fire Academy which starts in April. If you would pleas e share our Facebook &/or Twitter post on your pages to get the word out it would be greatly appreciated. More information and the online registration available by clicking the link below:

Citizen's Fire Academy

Filling the Gap- F ree Lunches for Children

Partners for Wichita, Congregations, Organizations and Individuals throughout the City of Wichita collaborate to serve free nutritious lunches to children and youth during Spring Break, March 14 ^th -18 ^th during the

noon hours. For additional information and

distribution locations Click here.

The Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board

The Animal Control Advisory Board will be researching best practices to increase the spay and neuter of pets and reduce the number of pets who are euthanized each year. They hope to provide additional education to the public and possibly identify partnerships to offset the cost of spay and neuter. So far, the meetings have been fairly well attended,

but this next phase will really require input from the community on how to resolve a

community problem. Please join The Wichita Animal Control Advisory Board on April 6, 2016

from 4 pm-5:15 pm,at The Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside to provide your input.

Looking for things to do in Wichita?Click Here for a variety of things to do!

Wichita First Friday Events

Click Here

City Accepting Housing Voucher Applications

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program will begin accepting preliminary applications for a limited time from income eligible households seeking rental assistance on Monday, Feb. 22. The wait list has been closed since October 2014.

The application process is entirely online and can be accessed 24 hours a day, taking less than 10 minutes to submit electronically. Completing the preliminary application is the first step in the process and does not require any other documentation. The participant's name will be added to the waiting list to be called in order that the request was received as vouchers become available.

The application can be accessed through one of the following links:

Program staff will begin contacting families in March and continue as long as vouchers are available, said John E. Hall, the Director of Housing and Community Services. He added that there is no fee to apply for the department's housing programs.

"Beware of websites requiring payment to submit applications," Hall said. "We strongly discourages paying for services and we encourage anyone who needs assistance to contact the department directly" at (316) 462-3700.

In addition, there are community offices where people who do not have access to computers can apply and receive staff assistance:

Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center 2755 E. 19th St. N;
Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center 2820 S. Roosevelt;
Evergreen Neighborhood Resource Center 2700 N. Woodland; and
Wichita Public Libraries (a library card is required to use library computers).

People with disabilities requiring computer assistance should submit their f ull name, address, phone number and/or email address for contact purposes . The request may be hand delivered or mailed to Housing and Community Services Department, 332 N. Riverview, Wichita, KS 67203, or emailed to [email protected]

Kick Off Spring on the Green! Provide a work experience opportunity for a youth!

The 2016 Jobs FORE Youth Golf tournament will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Auburn Hills Golf Course in Wichita.

This will be the 4th fundraising golf tournament for Jobs FORE Youth. Last year, they raised approximately $10,000 to support Youth Work Experience and Internships. They want to exceed last year's amount, and need sponsors and/or team registrations for the tournament.

The tournament will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and tee off at 12:30. Awards are anticipated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The cost to register a team of 4 is $360, and includes 18 hole green fees, cart, lunch, participant gift and unlimited warm up at the driving range. Individual Registration is available as well for $95 per person. The registration deadline is April 20 th , so get this on your calendar now and plan to register early to ensure that your team is in the running!

All funds raised from this event will go to support work experiences and summer jobs for youth!

Details and registration

AARP Tax-Aide helps low- and middle-income taxpayers file their personal income tax returns. Volunteers are trained to assist in filing the 1040 tax form and basic schedules. Taxpayers with complex tax returns are advised to seek paid tax assistance. Electronic filing (e-filing) is offered. E-filing ensures a more accurate tax return and faster processing of tax refunds.

Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center located at 2820 S Roosevelt or call 303-8028 to schedule appointment.

clicking here!

Recognizing Excellent Public Service Employees

Nominations for public service employees are being accepted with for the annual Excellence in Public Service Award. The award, in its 29th year, recognizes City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public School employees who exhibit the highest standard of service.

The nomination process continues through 5 p.m., March 10.

Nominations will be accepted online from the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016epsnomination

Nomination forms are available in the City Manager's Office, the County Communications Office and Wichita Public Schools Marketing & Communications Office. Nomination forms can also be printed from the City's homepage and turned in at the City Manager's Office - City Hall 13th Floor.

Each honoree will receive $2,500. The Excellence in Public Service Award is designed to highlight public sector employees who go beyond the call of duty. Nominees should demonstrate the following attributes:

Exemplary performance that has contributed to the public interest,
Innovative problem-solving skills that have improved service delivery,
Adherence to high ethical standards in carrying out job responsibilities, &
A record of community involvement through participation in civic organizations.

Honorees are selected by an eight-member committee, comprised of public and private sector members. Winners are surprised at work by their supervisors, colleagues, awards committee members and the media in coordinated visits. Recipients are later honored at a reception attended by family, friends and co-workers. The Excellence in Public Service Award is sponsored by the DeVore Foundation and KSN.

Seeking resources but unsure where to turn or what is available? Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center located at 2820 S. Roosevelt in the Planeview Neighborhood or call 316 303-8028. Onsite staff can provide you with resources to help you overcome certain obstacles.

Click here to find up-to-date information regarding street maintenance in your area.

Resume building, resume reviews, job search tools and 1-on-1 assistance is available at Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center Please call 303-8028 for more information

Need to complete an Application, Review, Interim Report or Report a Change? Stop by Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center to see the on-site benefit worker or call 303-8082

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Become part of the solution and tell us what's on your mind. Visit Activate Wichita today!

District III Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations

The District III Advisory Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at the WATER Center, 101 E. Pawnee, Wichita, KS 67211. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For a listing of the 2016 meeting schedule, click here.

To find DAB III agendas and minutes click here