About Us

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The Central Avenue Betterment Association (CABA) was incorporated on December 29, 1977, with the primary mission of improving the business environment and public image of Central Avenue. Over the years, our goals have expanded to include comprehensive community economic development, financial growth, and job creation to support the Central Avenue corridor and the surrounding residential area.

 

Central Avenue Business Association Incorporation remains dedicated to the vision of our founders. The original articles of incorporation set out to:

1. Improve the business and social environment of Central Avenue

2. Improve the image of Central Avenue.

 

The original incorporators were Tony Alieksaites, Fred Meier (Fidelity State Bank), Gene Barrett (Kaw Valley Bank), Nick Alonge, Sr., Gene Rietfors (Bethany Hospital), who appeared in front of Notary Public Shirley M. Hathaway on December 7th of 1977.

 

Over the years, CABA has developed into a community-based organization with an emphasis on area economic development, individual financial stability, and overall improvements in the quality of life within the CABA service area.

 

By the Numbers (FY2025)

 

20 new entrepreneurs encouraged, educated, and promoted.

30 new and existing business owners were provided with business training

$750,000 infused into the Central Avenue business corridor through annual events

8 coworking affordable office rental spaces provided to profit and nonprofit organizations

 

Annual Events:

CABA brings the community together and drives economic activity through signature annual events, including: Earth Day Celebration

 

At CABA, we firmly believe in leading by example. Our Earth Day Celebration is not just about keeping our community clean; it’s also about inspiring the next generation to take pride in volunteering for a selfless cause. Each year, local restaurants generously donate breakfast for all our volunteers, while neighborhood groups come together for a spring street cleaning event, fostering a sense of pride and unity across our city. In addition to these efforts, we address environmental challenges facing our community through targeted campaigns. Over the years, we have planted nearly 30 trees to combat urban heat islands, revitalized parks, donated gazebos, installed tool sheds, and worked to reduce blight throughout the area. This celebration is a testament to our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement, ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant future for all.

 

Flavors of Central Tour

 

One of our flagship initiatives is The Flavors of Central Tour, an annual fundraiser that supports the production of our other programs. This unique event brings together 27 restaurants, 6 bars, and 250 selected guests for a delicious food tour showcasing the best of our local culinary scene. Participants can explore the tour via bicycles, scooters, dedicated bus transportation, or by walking along 10 miles of accessible routes. Each participating restaurant generously donates samples of its signature menu items, sharing its passion for food and community. Guests purchase a ticket, receive a map, and follow the trail to each stop, where they are warmly welcomed and served a hearty portion of the featured dish. We encourage attendees to bring food containers, as there will be plenty of delicious food to take home! This event not only celebrates our local businesses but also fosters community engagement and supports our ongoing efforts to promote healthy living and civic pride.

 

The Dotteversity Parade

 

Known as the “Parade of Flags,” this celebration highlights the rich diversity of our community, honoring the unique cultures and traditions that make us stronger together. Our philosophy is simple: the more we learn about our differences, the more we recognize our shared humanity. Each year, the parade brings together schools, nonprofits, government departments, private organizations, and thousands of visitors to Central Avenue. With a record-breaking 63 floats, 8,000 attendees, 6 high school marching bands, horse clubs, 50 local vendors, and countless community groups, the Dotteversity Parade has become one of the most anticipated events in the region. Join us as we celebrate what it means to be a Dotte—where diversity in community pride comes alive!

 

Cinco de Mayo

 

Our annual celebration draws over 5,000 community members each year, uniting them at Bethany Park for a vibrant showcase of Mexican culture. This event not only strengthens community bonds but also supports more than 40 local vendors, offering them a platform to sustain their livelihoods. Attendees are immersed in the richness of Mexican heritage through lively traditional music, cherished customs, and an array of authentic, flavorful cuisine. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the enduring spirit and contributions of Mexican culture within our community.

 

Day of the Dead Celebration

 

Our “Día de Muertos” celebration draws approximately 20,000 visitors from both Missouri and Kansas, uniting communities in a colorful tribute to life and memory. Featuring 130 local vendors, 30 stunning “Catrinas,” 10 stages with 46 hours of live entertainment, 40 street performers, and a breathtaking nighttime parade with 50 floats, this event captures the unique spirit and culture of “El pueblo” in Kansas City, Kansas. At its heart, the Day of the Dead is a celebration of life and remembrance. Families honor their loved ones who have passed by creating beautiful altars adorned with offerings such as traditional “pan de Muerto,” candles, salt, water, marigolds, “Papel picado,” and photographs. For one special day, our loved ones return to walk among us on Central Avenue, their memories alive in our hearts. We invite you to join us in celebrating the lives of those who have moved on but remain forever in our memories. Together, we honor their legacy and the enduring bonds of family and community.

 

The CABA Open

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Every great partnership starts with a handshake—or in our case, a tee-off. Born from a shared vision and a love for the fairway, The CABA Open isn’t just a golf tournament; it’s CABA’s annual celebration of connection, generosity, and community spirit. Conceived in 2025 as the signature gathering for CABA’s Board, The CABA Open was designed with a simple yet powerful mission: harvest relationships. Here, funders, supporters, donors, and volunteers trade boardrooms for birdies, share laughter instead of spreadsheets, and build lasting bonds under a relaxed, social sky. No suits. No pitches. Just pure, fun-driven impact. A 9-Hole Foreplay Mix-Player Scramble. Whether you drive 300 yards or drive the refreshment cart, this is your kind of tournament. Our fun-first, 9-hole scramble pairs seasoned golfers with first-timers, solo players with new friends. Team up, mix in, and play for more than par play for a purpose.

 

Annual Programs

 

La Placita

 

La Placita is an entrepreneurial initiative that serves as an outdoor market, running every Saturday from May to September at Bethany Park. Each year, nearly 30 vendors register to participate, gaining the opportunity to engage with customers weekly while learning essential business skills. Through the program, vendors receive guidance in areas such as accounting, tax strategy, business administration, purchasing, and marketing. This hands-on experience allows them to test their business models, build a self-generated customer base, and generate cash flow to cover initial costs, all in preparation for formal registration and licensing. From 2014 to date, over 100 vendors have graduated from the program, with many evolving into program champions. These entrepreneurs have gone on to invest in food trucks, catering services, and brick-and-mortar retail operations, showcasing the lasting impact of La Placita on our community’s economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit.

 

Summer Mentoring

This initiative engages 11th-grade high school students within our district. This program promotes leadership, breaks barriers in goal setting, and equips participants with life tools to understand and navigate social structures effectively. The program emphasizes holistic growth, focusing on areas such as self-love, personal health, spirituality, family, self-development, professional growth, finances, governance, relationships, and community engagement. Through this, we aim to empower students to thrive in all aspects of life. During our 10-year production process, we have served more than 500 students with soft skills education and summer jobs with salaries.

 

Free Wheels for Kids

 

A cycling and “active living” program designed to engage participants across three tiers:

 

Let’s Get Rolling: This tier focuses on elementary school students in 4th and 5th grades, teaching them how to ride safely to and from school.

 

Earn a Bike: Middle school students participate in this tier, where they learn bicycle mechanics by assisting our bike shop in repairing the bikes they will later receive as gifts.

 

Bike Clubs: This tier encourages high school students and community members to join group rides, either weekly or during special events, fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy living.

 

Through our bike shop, we gift approximately 100 bicycles annually, engage with around 300 elementary students, and work with 60 middle schoolers. Additionally, we host over eight bicycle rodeos each year and welcome numerous families who are striving to improve their health and overall well-being.

The Stables

 

Our newest initiative involves the acquisition and management of an office building located at 1303 Central Avenue, now serving as a hub for nonprofit development.

This versatile space includes:

 

8 shared office spaces - 2 private offices - 5 workstations - 1 coffee shop / cold prep kitchen - 1 large classroom - 1 boardroom - 2 small meeting rooms - 2 video conference booths - 1 private outdoor patio - 1 large storage room / back deck.

 

The Stables Shared Space is designed to empower small nonprofit organizations by providing them with a collaborative environment to grow and thrive. By working together, these organizations can strengthen their missions and amplify their impact. The space also offers access to valuable resources, including classes, grant writing coaching, strategic planning support, and community connections, all aimed at fostering long-term success. This initiative reflects CABA’s commitment to building a stronger, more connected community by supporting the organizations that serve it.

 

Our Commitment:

 

CABA is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all programs, services, and employment. All CABA events, resources, and programs are open to the public based on objective eligibility criteria.

 

Questions? Visit us at 1303 Central Avenue in KCK or contact us through this website.