​

2020

J.R. Albert Foundation, February 1, 2020 - Grantee Highlight: Community Services League

The Examiner, January 25, 2020 - Serving Up Love: Growing Neighborhood Dinner Provides Needed Food, Fellowship

2019

Kansas City Chiefs, December 26, 2019 - Photo Gallery: Spa Day

 

The Examiner, December 22, 2019 - Pro Athletes Help as Moms Get a Little Pampering

Kansas City Chiefs, December 19, 2019 - Chiefs OT Greg Senat and Ambassador Mark Collins Distribute Coats to Families in Need

 

LISC, December 17, 2019 - Workforce Development: From Personal Recovery to Professional Development

 

The Examiner, December 13, 2019 - CSL Christmas Store Serves Hundreds of Families

 

KSHB 41, November 27, 2019 - Missouri, Kansas Groups Seek to Limit Payday Lenders

 

The Examiner, November 23, 2019 - Truman Heartland Grants Fund Community Efforts

 

The Examiner, November 22, 2019 - Community Services League Gets a Boost from Rotary Grant

 

The Examiner, November 2, 2019 - Blue Springs Limits Payday Loans and Tobacco Shops

 

CSL, November 1, 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

The Examiner, October 8, 2019 - Blue Springs Kindergartener Sparks a Family Food Drive, Part of Citywide Effort

 

The Examiner, October 4, 2019 - Federal Boost for Local Housing Efforts

 

CSL, October 4, 2019 - First Friday Feature
 

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), October 2, 2019 - HUD Awards Nearly $43 Million in Housing Counseling Grants

The Examiner, October 1, 2019 - Blue Springs Students Step Up for Community Unity Week

 

CSL, September 17, 2019 - CSL Announces Major Housing Expansion

CSL, September 6, 2019 - First Friday Feature

Fox 4, August 29, 2019 - Local Nonprofit Donating 200,000 Socks to Metro Families in Need

 

KC LINC, August 19, 2019 - Farview Food Pantry and Library Opens in Independence (Video)

 

KC LINC, August 19, 2019 - Unique Library and Food Pantry in Independence "the Start of Something Big"

​

Kansas City Chiefs, August 8, 2019 - Chiefs’ DE Frank Clark to Local Kids in Need During His
First-Annual Backpack Drive: “Never Give Up”

CSL, August 2, 2019 - First Friday Newsletter

 

KSHB 41, August 1, 2019 - KCATA Launches Free Bus Pass Program for Nonprofit Clients

​

KMBC 9, July 15, 2019 - In Focus: New Library, Food Pantry to Help Families in Independence

 

CSL, July 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

KMBC 9, July 9, 2019 - United Way Helps Woman Get Out of Debt

 

Comcast, June 13, 2019 - Comcast Cares Day PSA

CSL, June 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

The Examiner, May 31, 2019 - More Than Books, More Than Food

 

Comcast, May 30, 2019 - Comcast Cares Day 2019 - Thank You, Volunteers!

 

CSL, May 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

KSHB 41, May 4, 2019 - Volunteers from Comcast Transform Old School Building Into Public Library, Food Pantry

 

The Catholic Key, May 24, 2019 - Life & Justice Grants Help 14 Area Organizations Serve Those in Need

 

LISC, March 18, 2019 - CSL Receives Funding from Citi Foundation and LISC

CSL, March 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

CSL, February 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

 

The Examiner, January 31, 2019 - U.S. Gives Funds for Homeless Aid
 

CSL, January 2019 - First Friday Feature Newsletter


2018

​

The Examiner, December 19, 2018 - Help for the Holidays

 

The Examiner, December 14, 2018 - Community Services League Annual Event Helps Those in Need

Jackson County, Missouri - Interview with County Executive Frank White

 

The Examiner, December 1, 2018 - Young Singers Embrace Independence Tradition

The Examiner, November 24, 2018 - Your Giving Can Help Many Others

The Examiner, November 20, 2018 - Grants to Assist Range of Community Work

The Examiner, October 12, 2018 - Community Unity Week Efforts in Blue Springs Bring in Thousands of Food Items

 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), October 10, 2018 - HUD Awards $47 Million in Housing Counseling Grants

CSL, October 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

KMBC 9, September 18, 2018 - Can a Coffee Shop Change This Old Neighborhood? This Independence Location Hopes So

CSL, September 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

The Examiner, August 29, 2018 - New Business, New Hope in Fairmount

The Examiner, August 22, 2018 - 'One Cup, One Conversation at a Time' at BlendWell Cafe

CSL, August 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

CSL, July 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

The Examiner, June 5, 2018 - A Start on the Right Foot: Tennies for Kids Program Grows Rapidly

CSL, June 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

CSL, May 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

The Catholic Key, May 8, 2018 - Life And Justice Grants Fund Organizations Defending Life And Dignity

 

The Examiner, May 2, 2018 - The Smart Money: KC Scholars Awards Promising Area Students

 

CSL, April 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

LGC Hospitality Staff, March 27, 2018 - Leaders Growing Communities - Community Services League

CSL, March 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

The Examiner, February 10, 2018 - Grants Awarded From Children's Services Tax

Flatland, January 29, 2018 - The Cost of Churn: Evictions Hinder Classroom Progress for Kids

The Examiner, January 20, 2018 - A Gathering Place

CSL, January 2018 - First Friday Feature Newsletter

2017

CitiesSpeak, December 21, 2017 - The Most Effective Federal Grants for Mid-Sized Cities

 

Fox 4, December 11, 2017 - Chiefs Wide Receiver Chris Conley Teams Up With Local Nonprofit for ‘Coats for the Kingdom’ Campaign

 

KMBC 9, December 7, 2017 - The Secret Scarf Santa

KSHB 41, November 30, 2017 - Several Oak Grove Tornado Victims Move Back Into Homes

 

KC 102.1, November 5, 2017 - KC Close-Up (Click "KC Close-Up: Doug Cowan, Community Services League)

Independence School District, October 16, 2019 - Luff Elementary Students Volunteer at CSL

 

Will & Grail, October 12, 2017 - Community Services League CEO Shares How They're Lifting People Out of Poverty (text and video)

 

KCUR 89.3, October 9, 2017 - Developing Healthy, Affordable Communities, and Having 'Conversations that Matter' (Click 'Listen' button at the top to hear a recording of the program)

Fox 4, October 8, 2017 - Project Homeless Connect Provides Free Medical Care and Job Training

KSHB 41, October 6, 2017 - Independence Free Health Event is One Stop Shop for Those in Need

Harvesters-The Community Food Network, September 26, 2017 - Circle of Hope Awards - Community Services League (2017 Agency of the Year)

The Examiner, September 7, 2017 - Independence Uncorked Festival Helps Local Organizations

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), Friday, September 1, 2017 - POAH Dedicates Financial Opportunity Center at Hawthorne Apartments in Independence, MO

The Examiner, August 31, 2017 - New Effort Gives Hawthorne Renters a Hand Up

The Examiner, August 10, 2017 - 2,500 Smiles - CSL Fairs Distribute Supplies to School Kids

KSHB 41, August 5, 2017 - Back to School Events Helping Families in Need

KSHB 41, August 4, 2017 - School Supply Drive Helps Oak Grove Tornado Victims

 

98.1 KMBZ, July 17, 2017 - Social Service Agencies Team Up to Aid Kansas City Homeless

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), July 6, 2017 - HUD Awards $50 Million in Housing Counseling Grants

National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), May 15, 2017 - Social Service Providers in Independence, MO Explore Affordable Housing and Homelessness Solutions at Annual Summit

The Examiner, April 12, 2017 - Help Fill a Truck with Food

The Examiner, April 14, 2017 - EDC Honors Businesses for Doing Well and Doing Good Works

2016

The Examiner, December 17, 2016 - Mary Strack, the 'Heart' of Grain Valley, Will Be Missed

ISD Schools, December 2, 2017 - 800 ISD 4th Graders Raise Their Voices in Holiday Tradition

The Examiner, December 2, 2016 - Thousand Students Set to Raise Voices at Mayor's Christmas Concert

The Examiner, November 26, 2016 - Nonprofit Groups Benefit from Truman Heartland Grants

The Examiner, November 23, 2016 - CSL Wants Every Family's Table Full

Lee's Summit Tribune, November 12, 2016 - Eastland Giving Circle Presents $30,000 Grant to Community Services League

The Examiner, October 26, 2016 - Jackson County Sales Tax Would Aid Children in Need

Truman Heartland Community Foundation, September 17, 2016 - Heartland Service Award

Blue Springs Magazine (Page 12), September 1, 2016 - 100 Years of Service

The Kansas City Star, August 12, 2016 - School Supply Giveaway Grows with Poverty in Suburban School Districts

The Examiner, August 12, 2016 - New Everything

The Kansas City Star, August 12, 2016 - [VIDEO] Community Services League Hosts School Supply Giveaway

The Kansas City Star, July 26, 2016 - Health Care Foundation Awards $596,897 in Grants

The Examiner, July 16, 2016 - Tennies for Kids Close to Goal of $15,000 for New School Shoes

​

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, June 21, 2016 - HUD Awards $42 Million in Housing Counseling Contracts

The Examiner, June 18, 2016 - Blue Springs CSL Applauded at Open House

The Examiner, June 18, 2016 - Graduation Day Comes With a Job and a Pay Raise

​

The Catholic Key, June 17, 2016 - Rally Held to Support Federal Rulings on Predatory Lending

 

The Examiner, June 17, 2016 - CSL Marks Its Founding in 1916

The Examiner, June 15, 2016 - 100 Years of Blessings

The Examiner, June 4, 2016 - Freedom to Borrow or a Financial Trap

The Examiner, June 2, 2016 - Help CSL Celebrate Its 100th in June

The Examiner, May 14, 2016 - Fill the Truck for Food Pantries

The Examiner, May 11, 2016 - Organizations Gather to Make Independence Better

The Examiner, May 7, 2016 - 'Warrior for Justice' Alvin Brooks Receives Truman Award

​

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, May 2, 2016 - HUD Awards $355 Million for Local Homeless Programs

 

The Examiner, April 21, 2016 - Rotary Donation Helps CSL Provide Computer Lab for Clients

 

The Examiner, April 16, 2016 - Community Effort Giving Independence Residents Training and Jobs

 

The Examiner, April 1, 2016 - Alvin Brooks, Community Services League Honored with Truman Awards

City of Independence, April 1, 2016 - 2016 Harry S Truman Public Service Award Recipients Announced

 

The Kansas City Star, February 4, 2016 - Kansas City Philanthropy Awards are Announced

The Examiner, January 23, 2016 - Campaign Marks CSL Centennial Year

​

Kansas City LISC, January 20, 2016 - LISC Launches New Financial Opportunity Center at Community Services League


2015


The Examiner, December 24, 2015 - County Spreads Some Wealth to Agencies

 

The Examiner, December 24, 2015 - Police Officers Spread Some Joy Through Community

 

The Examiner, December 19, 2015 - Seasonally and All Year, Many Residents Step Up to Help Those in Need

 

The Examiner, December 17, 2015 - Educate Yourself to Avoid Payday Loan Trap

 

The Examiner, December 17, 2015 - Christmas Delivery

 

The Examiner, December 17, 2015 - Volunteers, Partners Are Backbone of CSL Christmas Stores

 

The Examiner, December 17, 2015 - CSL Christmas Stores Help Hundreds of Families Put Presents Under the Tree

 

The Kansas City Star, December 4, 2015 - Mavericks Paying Tribute to KC's Hockey History

 

The Kansas City Star, December 3, 2015 - Holidays Motivate People to Help Stock Food Pantries in Kansas City

The Examiner, September 23, 2015 - Reading is Fundamental: Program Helps Get Books Into Hands of Needy Children

 

The Examiner, September 10, 2015 - 'Taste of Blue Springs' Raising Money for CSL

 

KSHB 41, August 8, 2015 - Royals Charities Helping Metro Kids Get Ready for the Upcoming School Year

 

Kansas City Royals, August 8, 2015 - Community Services League Back to School Fair Supported by Royals Charities

​

The Examiner, August 5, 2015 - Tennies for Kids

 

The Kansas City Star, June 16, 2015 - Two Kansas City Housing Counselors Gain Federal Funding

The Examiner, May 30, 2015 - Xi Iota Phi Chapter Remains Busy

The Examiner, May 28, 2015 - Five Things to Do This Week

Lee's Summit Journal, April 22, 2015 - Lee's Summit Plans Grants for Community Services League

The Examiner, April 11, 2015 - Active, Innovative Businesses Honored

The Kansas City Star, February 23, 2015 - A Fighter to the End

The Kansas City Star, January 30, 2015 - Free Tax Preparation Offices Open Monday
 

Nonprofit Connect, January 26, 2015 - 14 Executive Directors of Kansas Nonprofits Complete Inaugural Certification


The Kansas City Star, January 1, 2015 - Families in Distress Get Help to Keep Their Children in School

 

 

2014


Fansided, December 19, 2014 - ECHL's Missouri Mavericks Do Star Wars Night

The Kansas City Star, December 3, 2014 - Holidays Motivate People to Help Stock Food Pantries in Kansas City

 

The Examiner, December 2, 2014 - Mayor's Christmas Concert Set for December 7

The Kansas City Star, November 28, 2014 - United Way Support Families and Kids Through a New Program

 

The Examiner, November 21, 2014 - Champions of Hope 2014 Honorees

The Examiner, August 27, 2014 - Festival of the Trails

 

The Examiner, August 26, 2014 - Papa John's Pizza Raising Money for Blue Springs CSL

 

The Examiner, August 22, 2014 - Shoe-ing the Way

 

The Examiner, August 16, 2014 - CSL Has New Days of Operation in Blue Springs

 

The Examiner, August 5, 2014 - Organization Offering School Supplies

 

Local Investment Commission, August 2, 2014 - Fort Family Fun Day (Video)

 

KMBC 9, July 22, 2014 - Ameristar Casino Holds Job Fair

 

The Examiner, June 4, 2014 - CSL Wants Grant to Expand in Blue Springs

The Examiner, May 20, 2014 - CSL Could Get City CDBG Funds

The Examiner, April 25, 2014 - Students Step Up for Local Food Drive

 

The Examiner, April 12, 2014 - Youth Holding 12-Hour Food Drive Today

KSHB 41, April 12, 2014 - Area High Schoolers Look to Collect 10,000 Donated Food Items In
12-Hour Period

Fox 4, April 12, 2014 - Metro High School Students Strive to Feed Area Homeless for at Least Three Days

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, April 11, 2014 - Congressman Cleaver Announces Critical Support for the Homeless

The Examiner, April 4, 2014 - Economic Winners Recognized for Gains

Lee's Summit Journal, February 28, 2014 - CSL Offers Job Help in Lee's Summit

The Examiner, February 27, 2014 - CSL There to Help Even the Invisible Needy

 

2013


The Examiner, December 18, 2013 - Firefighters Give Gift of Warmth

 

The Examiner, December 17, 2013 - With Time Short, Agencies Still Short of Goals

 

The Examiner, December 14, 2013 - Chrisman Devoting Herself to CSL

 

The Examiner, December 7, 2013 - Open Invitation to Celebrate the Big 6-0

 

The Examiner, December 7, 2013 - Sing for Supper

 

The Examiner, December 5, 2013 - Girl Scouts Help Out During a Time of Need

 

KSHB 41, December 5, 2013 - Holly and Mistletoe Homes Tour

 

The Examiner, November 23, 2013 - A Day in the Life of the Homeless

 

Charity Navigator, October 1, 2013 - CSL Receives 4-Star Rating

 

The Examiner, July 2013 - One Item, One Day at a Time

The Examiner, March 16, 2013 - Doug Cowan Named President/CEO of Community Services League

 

 

2012


The Kansas City Star, November 13, 2012 - Persistent Pay Gap Confronts Women, KC Research Confirms

 

Fox 4, January 5, 2012 - Mavericks Fans to Pick Game Jersey

 

 

2011


Fox 4, December 14, 2011 - CSL Opens Holiday Store

 

Fox 4, December 14, 2011 - Metro Kids Shop with Cops, Firefighters

 

Fox 4, November 27, 2011 - One Family's Struggle Reflects Regional Poverty Issue

​

JE Dunn Construction, March 11, 2011 - Community Services League Renovation and Expansion

 

 

2010


KCTV 5, December 11, 2010 - Christmas Store Preparing for Busy Season

 

 

 

Tennies for Kids:

​

  • July 15, 2013; City of Independence "Tennies for Kids Day" – read proclamation here

 

  • July 8, 2013; Independence Examiner – read story here

 

  • August 1, 2012; Independence Examiner – read story here

 

  • April 18, 2012; NBC 41 Action News – read story here

 

  • April 12, 2012; Independence Examiner - read story here

 

  • February 3, 2012; Independence Examiner - read story here