Client Spotlight – TNC Community

Say hello to TNC Community!

Clemons had the wonderful opportunity to help them find a new space in 2023 and are so impressed with their organization. Learn about TNC and how you can get involved below! 

How did your Organization get started?

TNC Community was founded in 1949 as the Cerebral Palsy Center. This year we are
celebrating 75 years of providing customized services to individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. We were founded by Dr. Robert Bruner, a medical doctor, and his
spouse Virginia, a registered nurse. Virginia’s cousin, President Harry S. Truman, served on the
agency’s board of directors in the 1940s and the 1960s. He helped raise funds for a large
facility where we provided around-the-clock care to children with severe disabilities.

We became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit under the name Harry S. Truman Children’s
Neurological Center. By the 2000s, the children in our care were becoming adults and the
culture shifted away from institutionalized care. We sold the facility, shifted to a group-home
model, and started doing business as TNC Community.

Today we continue to provide around-the-clock care for individuals with high levels of special
needs in 13 homes across Missouri’s Kansas City area. We also offer programming for
individuals who live on their own with IDD or are transitioning to greater independence. TNC
Community helps people reach goals to get involved in their community, develop practical skills, prepare for, obtain, and succeed in employment.

What is your vision for your organization and/or your current projects?

Everything we do at TNC Community is guided by our mission to “champion equity and
inclusion for individuals with disabilities, inspiring lives of dignity, belonging, and joy.” We
remain nimble so we can respond to the needs in our community. Since 2020 we have
expanded to serve 93% more individuals by growing our residential program and adding
Community Connections programming.

To accommodate our growing team, TNC Community moved into a new office space in
November 2023 in Independence, Missouri. We ensured the new location would have
additional programming space so we could meet growing needs for IDD services in our
community. In September of 2024 we will start a Day Program that will operate without walls in which individuals with IDD spend time engaging with their community through a range of activities and volunteer opportunities.

In the near future, we will launch an innovative workforce development project that will meet
employment needs for individuals with IDD. TNC Community is preparing to open Missouri’s
first Howdy Homemade Ice Cream—a franchise that is on a relentless pursuit to create jobs for people with IDD. Through this partnership, TNC Community will create inclusive, equitable
employment options, break down barriers, and empower individuals with the skills and
confidence needed to succeed in the workforce.

How can the Kansas City community get involved in your organization and what do you need most from them?

As a nonprofit, TNC Community relies on support from our community to help meet the needs of the vulnerable individuals we serve. Donations support stable housing, comprehensive healthcare, and community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are also a variety of volunteer opportunities.

How are you collaborating with other organizations in Kansas City?

TNC Community works closely with state and county agencies to serve individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also collaborate with local businesses and
organizations that support our mission and help create a more inclusive community.