Central Area Betterment Association

Day of the Dead Celebration: CABA's Day of the Dead celebration is a major cultural event that transforms Central Avenue into a vibrant, communal space of remembrance and artistry. We honor this profound tradition by facilitating large-scale public altars (ofrendas), traditional dance performance, live music, and artisanal markets. This event provides a platform for cultural education and intergenerational sharing, preserving an important intangible heritage for the entire metro area. It fosters a deep sense of pride and identity within the Latino community while making it accessible to a diverse audience. There were 19,000+ attendees at our latest event. This event engages over 100 local artists, performers, and volunteers. It serves as a significant cultural tourism driver for Kansas City, Kansas.

Summer Mentoring Program: * Provides 4th year high school students with mentors and situational experiences plus good work practices designed to prepare and to focus the student on personal successes. * Builds self-esteem giving young persons the inner strength to resist negative peer pressure. * Gives the community positive student/resident/business interaction. * Provides actual situational and work experiences generating future life success paths. * Pays a stipend after completion of the contract. * The program is open to Central Avenue Area High School Seniors. Program's History - For many Years CABA has held the "Student Job Placement Program" Sponsored by the Board of Public Utilities. During the year 2014 and after the execution of the SJPP a full revision of the program's goals and reach was reviewed and within the revision, structural changes were made to the program to increase the participant's community awareness and the promotion of student's leadership. The promotion of leadership and higher education became the specific goals, however, the generation of personal and community pride and the breaking of self-imposed and cultural barriers, were embedded into the new program's structure. The presentation of the program's new structure to CABA's board of directors was made successfully, late 2014 and the first version of this structure was delivered during the summer of 2015. This program has improved with time, and of course, with the student's participation. The program as it stands was received overwhelmingly well by the community's leadership. The Board of Public Utilities was reported and pleased with the results. New leaders and professionals from the community expressed their interest in their participation as mentors. Program's Current State. During the year 2024, we hosted a total of 23 events during June and July, each event delivered in a specific area of human development. We had 15 students enroll in our program and a total of 47 mentors interacting with our students along each of the events. The students experienced self analysis, goal making, time management, learning how to use technology to gain knowledge, networking, family financials, business financials, government structure, government operations, chamber of commerce purpose, table etiquette, dress codes, job placement, public office, candidate vetting, public interviewing, public speaking, breaking ceilings, and many more trades. On the certification day, the students organize their own event, they have to write a report of their experience and present it to the community and the Public Board of Utilities.

Dotteversity Parade: As CABA's longest-running community tradition, the Dotteversity Parade has celebrated the unique diversity and spirit of our community for nearly five decades. This family-friendly event features vibrant floats, marching bands, cultural performances, and community groups. The parade is a cornerstone of local identity, fostering unity and civic pride across generations. It creates an inclusive, celebratory atmosphere that strengthens community bonds. 9,000 attendees were drawn to the commercial corridor for this event. There were 47 parade floats and 45 vendor booths in the park.

The Flavors of Central Tour: This curated culinary tour showcases the authentic and diverse Latino cuisine that has made Central Avenue a regional dining destination. The tour guides participants through a self-paced exploration of our corridor's unique restaurants, offering a taste of their most iconic dishes. The tour directly drives revenue to local restaurants and introduces them to a new, eager customer base. It builds culinary literacy and appreciation, positioning Central Avenue as an essential food Mecca. There were 23 participating restaurants along the Central Avenue corridor. There were 245 participants (187 ticketed guests + 58 invited community leaders). It mobilized 20 volunteers and generated significant online engagement with 378 unique website hits.

Other program service accomplishments include Free Wheels for Kids, an Earth Day event, and a Cinco de Mayo Celebration.