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RITEWAY

The Vernon Center

Kansas City, MO

Story of Place

The Vernon neighborhood carries generations of history, resilience, and community strength. Like many historically Black neighborhoods in Kansas City, Vernon has faced decades of disinvestment while its residents continued to build, support, and sustain each other. The Vernon Center is not just a building. It is infrastructure for the community's future—a space where connectivity, learning, and opportunity converge.

The Outcome

The Vernon Center is a clear example of our development model in action: physical infrastructure plus digital equity plus operational capacity. This project demonstrates what happens when development is treated as more than construction. The building serves as a platform—a foundation for programs, services, and access that extend far beyond the physical structure.

The Infrastructure

Physical Infrastructure

  • Multi-purpose community facility
  • Flexible learning and event spaces
  • Technology-enabled meeting rooms
  • Accessible design throughout

Digital Infrastructure

  • ADOPT 2.0 public Wi-Fi deployment
  • 700+ devices distributed to residents
  • Digital literacy programming
  • Connectivity extending beyond building walls

The Systems

Every piece of infrastructure at the Vernon Center is supported by operational systems that ensure sustainability:

  • Compliance and reporting workflows
  • Partner coordination dashboards
  • Program utilization tracking
  • Community feedback integration
  • Grant management and accountability

Impact Metrics

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Devices Distributed

Direct access to technology for residents

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Public Wi-Fi

ADOPT 2.0 connectivity deployment

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Compliance Rate

All reporting obligations met on time

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Residents Served

Community members accessing programs

Partners

City of Kansas City

Municipal Partner

Digital Equity Coalition

Program Partner

Community Foundation

Funding Partner