A narrative about the PLC in 2021…

2021 was a wonderful year in terms of the Parkville Living Center (PLC), marking our first full year of being a community center whose mission it is to celebrate and make space for the spirit of Love in our community. 

We started off the year hosting monthly Community Town Hall Forums with three local service organizations presenting each month. This recurring event not only engaged the PLC with community members, but it began relationship building between the PLC and over 38 local service organizations. Here is a link to our Town Hall Forum page, and here is a link to our Community Partners page.

Now, as we engage community members, needs and resources are more easily matched with existing resources and organizations. Building relationships is what we are all about, so having these organizational partnerships has proven to be instrumental in our growth throughout 2021 and into 2022. 

In addition to the Town Hall Forums, we started a Coffee Café, where we serve locally roasted coffee free of charge, with a suggested donation of $.05. Much like the Town Hall Forums are an engine for social and community engagement, so too is the Coffee Café. By being open, serving free coffee, and creating a living room style environment we facilitate community engagement, deeper meaning and great experiences. You can read more about our Coffee Café here.

In 2021 we worked with the local public library, Mid-Continent Public Library, and offered Story Time, a program that facilitates reading to school-aged children as part of the library’s various Reading programs. We also host the meetings of local organizations such as American Association of University Women (AAUW). By providing meeting space we encourage community connections and connect people to efforts and services needed, all of which is part of building relationships and having conversations that stretch us, challenge us, support us and ultimately bring us joy.

After 10 months of Community Town Hall Forums, we wanted to give back. In November, on Thanksgiving Day, we worked with SPEAC Food Pantry, the American Legion and Parkville Presbyterian Church to host a Community Thanksgiving Meal. We fed about 65 people in total, which includes the 18 volunteers. We were able to provide a free, hot, traditional Thanksgiving meal, but more than the meal we were able to provide an atmosphere of home, of a living room, of people coming together for a meal. We look forward to many more community meals and opening our doors during the times when community members may not have another place to go.

In December we submitted a grant application through the Platte County Senior Fund in hopes of starting a Tech Center, with computer access, classes, information and assistance. We continue to explore possibilities and listen to the community as we grow together. More on this in 2022!