Janet Miles-Bartee’s call to serve began as a child, something she attributes to her parents.
“Growing up, my father was a minister and my mother always said that if we have something to eat, the neighborhood has something to eat, even if we have to split it 25 ways,” she said.
In true service fashion, Miles-Bartee began working as a teacher at Ladd Elementary in Kansas City, Missouri. It was there that she first interacted with LINC, which then had on-site services at two local schools. Impressed by the organization’s work at Ladd, Miles-Bartee volunteered to be a group leader. When the site coordinator overseeing Ladd’s program left the following year, she was encouraged to take over the role. Inspired by the new opportunity, Miles-Bartee decided to leave teaching and joined LINC in 1999.
From site coordinator, Miles-Bartee worked her way up to supervisor roles and was named the organization’s first executive vice president in 2021. In November 2023, Miles-Bartee became president and CEO, the icing on the cake of her 26-year career serving Kansas City’s under resourced children, families and neighborhoods.
“I loved this organization and its work from the start,” she said. “I tell people this is not hard work, it’s heart work,” said Miles-Bartee. “You have to a have a heart for the people and community. I come to work every day energized to try to make a difference in people’s lives.”
LINC works with families to navigate the complexities of available social services. Its Caring Communities sites are strategically located in schools, community centers and neighborhoods, providing accessible services. Site coordinators are trained to uncover the root of a family or individual’s challenges and provide help. They also bring together families and neighborhood leaders to form site councils that find and resolve issues.
A lot has changed in the 26 years since Miles-Bartee joined LINC. The organization now has 55 school sites at six public school districts and a public charter school and employs 155 full-time and 575 part-time employees.
Its 2024 highlight reel includes:
- distributing 580,000 pounds of food to nearly 115,000 people;
- assisting 606 foster youth with personal guidance, technology for work or school, driving lessons, life skills classes and independent living needs;
- transitioning 771 parents from government aid into the workforce; and
- providing 19,000 students services like free before- and after-school care, athletic programming, family engagement and social supports.
According to Miles-Bartee, LINC’s success stems from collaborating with communities, non-profits, businesses and government. She has earned praise for her work from the Missouri governor, Kansas City mayor, lawmakers, church leaders and city officials.
“We all know we are better together, with communities, neighborhoods and government working together for the betterment of our children and our families,” she said.
When asked about the nature of her daily work, she said it ranges widely, sharing that “as a true service job, what happens in the world and families’ lives dictates what I do.”
She added that after her day at LINC is over, she goes to Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church Of Jesus Christ where her father is still pastor to volunteer with the youth and family life center.
To learn more about LINC, visit https://kclinc.org/.