We’re pleased to welcome Mr. Mark Barone as a member of KCCO’s Board of Directors. Mark was born and raised in the inner city of the Bronx and was the youngest of six children. Growing up, he was never exposed to orchestral music; he had to listen to the music other people wanted to hear. In addition, he says, they did not have good music programs in the New York Public Schools. Therefore, when he learned about the KCCO Instrument Petting Zoo, where children who are otherwise not exposed to classical instruments get the hands-on opportunity to touch and play them, he was extremely impressed.Mark has always been active in serving his community, and when he moved to Kansas City in 2001 he had the opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Christian Family Services (CFS), a licensed Christian Counseling and Adoptions Agency, for 12 years. CFS provided both international and domestic adoption services, licensed marriage and family counseling, as well as counseling for abused and neglected children.
In 2013, after his children finished high school, Mark took a position with Edward Jones Investments as a Financial Advisor. Now, he says, he gets to continue serving families by helping them face the challenges of retirement and planning for their future. He continues to support CFS, but was also eager to help support and increase the impact KCCO has on children and families through its various programs. Mark says he appreciates the opportunity to serve on the Board. “KCCO is truly making a difference in the lives of everyone involved, and has been for over 59 years.”