The Youth Advocacy Office was slashed from the city of Kansas City&rsquo;s budget in May. But the corporate community in Kansas City stepped up to save it. </p><p>The city&rsquo;s Youth Advocacy Office employed 120 young people this summer in jobs at City Hall. </p><p>Wayne Cauthen, the city manager, said that when the department was cut from the budget, the 125 summer jobs for young people were also cut. He immediately began searching for alternative funding. The businesses that contributed asked to remain anonymous. </p><p>Their collective corporate contributions totaled $125,000, enough to pay the salaries. </p><p>&ldquo;It was good of the business community to provide these young people with an opportunity for employment,&rdquo; Cauthen said. &ldquo;The young people could fund their back-to-school needs. They were also able to develop their skill sets and are now better able to navigate a work environment.&rdquo; </p><p>In return, City Hall was able to gain some much-needed manpower at a reduced cost. </p><p>The program may not be funded again next year through the city budget. </p><p>&ldquo;We may have to do the same thing next year,&rdquo; Cauthen said. </p><p>&bull;&bull;&bull; </p><p>The American Jazz Museum recently launched a fundraising campaign to assist the John H. Baker Film Collection. </p><p>Gregory Carroll, CEO of the American Jazz Museum, said that in order for the museum to continue programming for the collection, more funding will be needed. So the museum is starting its Reel Donor campaign. The names of each major donor will be placed on a plaque situated next to the exhibit that&rsquo;s opening. </p><p>&ldquo;We know these are bad economic times, but we ask you to become a &lsquo;reel&rsquo; jazz player,&rdquo; Carroll said. &ldquo;You have an opportunity to leave a legacy.&rdquo;</p><p>In a related matter, the Institute for Museum and Library Services recently awarded the American Jazz Museum a $40,000 grant to conduct an internship program for the Baker Film Collection exhibit. </p><p>The internship will begin in January 2010. Interns will work in 10-week segments, helping the museum with preservation, cataloging, and online and content development. </p><p>&bull;&bull;&bull; </p><p>Raphael Garcia, principal architect with Raphael Architects, was master of ceremonies at the annual Blanco y Negro annual awards gala Sept. 11 at the Convention Center Downtown. The event recognized the Guadalupe Center&rsquo;s 90th year of service to the Hispanic community in Kansas City. </p><p>Garcia took the opportunity to single out his mother.</p><p>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s a math problem,&rdquo; Garcia said. &ldquo;Guadalupe was 5 years old when my mom was born. &hellip; I want to thank her for guiding me personally, for enriching in me values in the Mexican tradition and the culture. Happy birthday, Mom.&rdquo;