Overheard at Kansas City Rescue Mission Each day at KCRM, clients, staff, volunteers and donors come together and make a difference in each others’ lives. Here’s some of what we’ve heard people saying around the Mission! From a Rockhurst teen to our volunteer coordinator after serving for two weeks at KCRM: “I don’t think having money will make me any happier than anybody else; I don’t think I can be happy unless I know how to give.” Between a staff member and a homeless man on January 24: “Friend, your fingers are black! They are frozen. We need to get you to the emergency room right away!” From a first-time guest at KCRM after dinner: “They wasn’t lyin’ when they said you could get a good meal here!” From C-COR graduate John Swanton, after receiving two master’s degrees from the Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at UMKC: “Whatever I’ve achieved, I am nothing but a reflection of the people who carried me at Kansas City Rescue Mission.” From Pam who attended KCRM’s June 12th Women for Restoration Luncheon for the KCRM Women’s Center: “I am so very grateful for the opening of this shelter and for the loving people ready to care for these women and be the bridge to help them find a safe place to find themselves, find support, meet God and experience His power to restore their lives.” In our chapel as C-COR member Randy accepted his graduation certificate: “I was a man without a mission … God lead me to the Mission … and gave me a mission!” In an announcement from Olathe Christ Community Church: We’re glad to be part of this hand of God reaching our neighbors with love and compassion, encouraging and challenging them to believe in the One who created them with a purpose and a great deal of value in His eyes. From a donor who helped unload 6,000-plus rolls of toilet paper collected from Midwest Sports Production participants and coordinated by intern Reece Hammond: “It’s amazing what God can do “IF” we seek Him and allow Him to work through us.” During an exchange between two Christian Community of Recovery resident: “I came here because I needed a place to live.” “Hah! I came here because I wasn’t livin’ at all!” From a Facebook fan personally touched by KCRM’s ministry: When you help a gentleman regain his standing or footing, you are helping everyone they touch as well. In an email from a church leader who just heard about the new KCRM Women’s Center: I was excited to hear there was a program to get housing and care for homeless women of KC at KCRM. We are glad to be a part of this hand of God reaching our neighbors with love and compassion, encouraging and challenging them to believe in the One who created them with a purpose and a great deal of value in His eyes. From a C-COR graduate standing next to a bright red car: Do you like my car? I just got it! And I’m moving into my own place in Quality Hill next week. Man, God’s been good to me. In a phone call from a former KCRM guest: Please thank everyone for being there for me.I had no idea places like KCRM existed before two weeks ago. Thanks for helping me get home to St. Louis. In an email from Terri at Quest Diagnostics after an employee drive: “I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for. Dropping off everything made me realize this even more. There were quite a few men coming in while we were there. It’s very humbling to know what you have and realize they may only own what they are wearing. From Chaplain Joe Roberts after a former homeless guest’s visit: Mark showed up today driving a Cadillac! He said he’s been doing really well and is truly blessed. He got his CNA license to earn income while he finishes his degree in sociology at Park University and is going to church regularly. In a phone call from a homeless client to KCRM’s Nurse Liz: I’m so thankful you didn’t just give me a pill and send me away. Because you sent me to the hospital, I found out I have liver damage and need a transplant. I don’t even drink! In a volunteer essay comparing KCRM to the nearby Power & Light District: “There is a light that one can only see with his heart. There is a power that one can only receive when he feel hope, faith and love. Thank God for the Kansas City Rescue Mission. It is the power and light in this district.” From a former homeless guest to a KCRM case manager: “Hey, I’m doing well, really well! I’m staying sober and I have my own business, but I need prayer for my son — he’s not making great decisions right now.” From a former Hotline for the Homeless operator: “I worked on the hotline for eight years. I never had one complaint from a homeless person about KCRM! That says a lot.” After chapel from a client chatting with Chaplain Joe: “You know, I’ve heard more grace here in the past two days than I’ve heard in the past two years!” From Janet C. Baker during a volunteer meeting: “There is something miraculous about this place!” From a Facebook friend: “[KCRM has] an amazing team! From a resident during his C-COR graduation ceremony: I got ahold of Christ and I’m never letting go. From a donor who receives the KCRM e-newsletter: The new e-newsletter is fantastic, informative and professional … as well as “user-friendly.” Keep up the great work!
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Staff Directory General Information: info@kcrm.org Rev. Joe Colaizzi Executive Director jcolaizzi@kcrm.org Julie Larocco Chief Development Officer jlarocco@kcrm.org Terri Bennett Women’s Center Director tbennett@kcrm.org Allen Pickett Operations & Facilities Manager apickett@kcrm.org Jim Baker Business Manager jbaker@kcrm.org Alisha Roberts Administrative Assistant/HR Manager aroberts@kcrm.org Juliann Hansen Public and Donor Relations jhansen@kcrm.org Tara Richardson Food Service Supervisor trichardson@kcrm.org Larry Hansen Shelter Services Supervisor lhansen@kcrm.org Mary Blackmore Case Management Supervisor mblackmore@kcrm.org Rev. Joseph Roberts Chaplain jroberts@kcrm.org James Kohoutek Recovery Services Supervisor jkohoutek@kcrm.org Liz Preston, RN Health Clinic Coordinator lpreston@kcrm.org Paul Masao Church and Corporate Relations pmasao@kcrm.org Dr. Jerri Sapp Learning Center Director jsapp@kcrm.org Sarah Park Volunteer Coordinator spark@kcrm.org Kyle Kumer Volunteer Coordinator kkumer@kcrm.org
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Women’s Ministries KCRM Women’s Center • 2611 E. 11th Street • Kansas City, MO 64127 • (816) 421-7643 In 2009 and 2010, KCRM conducted three separate surveys involving 27 local social service agencies to confirm our belief that there was a critical gap in services for single, homeless women. Not only did our studies confirm the need, but revealed that more than 50 percent of this population suffered with dual diagnoses — addiction and mental illness. The Hotline for the Homeless records repeated calls from hundreds of single, homeless women each year, but only about 75 beds are available to meet the need. KCRM has determined to stand in this gap, establishing the KCRM Women’s Center, slated to open January 2013. The 20-bed center will offer many of the same services available at our Men’s Center, but designed specifically for the needs of single, homeless women with dual diagnoses. Relief Services Emergency shelter and showers Balanced daily meals Clean clothing and laundry service Recovery Services The KCRM Women’s Center will provide a safe attractive and homelike environment where women will find hope, peace and security as they work through the challenges life has thrown their way. Many were sexually abused as children and have coped with their pain through drugs and alcohol. Often the women we serve will have spent time behind bars, have prostituted for money, food or shelter and suffered continued physical and sexual abuse as adults. Of the 20 beds available, 18 will be residential beds for single women seeking long-term case management and recovery. After an intake assessment, each woman accepted will meet with a case manager and counselor to determine a course of objectives to help her find freedom from the shame of her past and hope for the future The KCRM Women’s Center will receive most clients through referrals from other agencies and the Hotline for the Homeless, increasing shelter space for single, homeless women in Kansas City by approximately 30 percent. Reentry Case managers at the KCRM Women’s Center will work with each client to achieve most or all of these outcomes: Addiction recovery A mental health treatment plan Regular stream of income Productive lifestyle Support network Permanent housing After moving into permanent housing, each client can return for Bible study, support groups, counseling and other assistance, along with referrals that will enrich her network of support.
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Men’s Ministries KCRM Men’s Center • 1520 Cherry Street • Kansas City, MO 64108 • (816) 421-7643 Each year, more than 1,500 men seek services at Kansas City Rescue Mission’s Men’s Center. In a single year, our Men’s Center provides between 86,000 and 89,000 wholesome meals and 36,000 nights of shelter to hungry, homeless and hurting men, weary of life on the streets. Often we find that, once a man has received basic care such as food and shelter, he will consider making more transformative choices such as joining KCRM’s recovery community — a program that offers freedom from the past and hope for the future! Relief Services Emergency shelter and showers Balanced daily meals Healthcare and recuperative care Clean clothing and laundry service Chaplaincy, Bible study and support groups Case management and referrals Recovery Services Christian Community of Recovery (C-COR): A six-month residential recovery program offering Bible-based life skills classes, GED preparation, adult high school, and addiction recovery through one-on-one counseling, support groups and Bible study. Residents meet with their counselors weekly to complete a list of agreed-upon objectives and requirements before graduation. Reentry Services Graduates of C-COR may enter KCRM’s Transitional Living Program and stay for up to two years while completing schooling, seeking jobs, building careers and saving toward permanent housing. Graduates applying for disability may stay in the Transitional Living Program while working with a KCRM case manager to obtain benefits and find appropriate permanent housing. Transitional Living Program residents continue to meet with their counselors, have access to onsite adult education, are active in their churches and abide by C-COR rules as residents in this program.
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Freedom from the Past, Hope for the Future Founded in 1950, Kansas City Rescue Mission offers relief, recovery and reentry services to homeless individuals surviving on Kansas City’s streets. Each service we provide is developed to offer a step up from the misery of homelessness along with the knowledge that there is hope in each new day! Kansas City Rescue Mission offers its services at no charge (with very rare exceptions) to homeless individuals. Its services and programs are available to any individual, 18 or older, regardless of race, religion, gender, lifestyle or creed.
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Community for Hope™ A Simple Plan to Bring Hope to the Homeless KCRM’s Community for Hope™ partners provide a strong financial foundation, ensuring we can meet the needs of the homeless now and in the years to come. With your faithful support, we can offer safe shelter, nutritious meals, medical care, case management, spiritual guidance and resident recovery programs for hurting, hungry and seemingly hopeless individuals every day of the year. Here’s how to get started: Review the giving levels suggested below, then prayerfully decide the amount you’d like to regularly donate. Giving Level Minimum Pledge Relief $20 a month or $60 a quarter or $240 a year Recovery $100 a month or $300 a quarter or $1,200 a year Restoration $500 a month or $1,500 a quarter or $6,000 a year Contact our development office any business day, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to discuss your pledge. You may choose to mail your regular pledge gift or opt for electronic transfer of funds (EFT). EFT is the simple way to give, allowing KCRM to automatically withdraw your gift from your bank account or credit card on the 5th or 20th of each month, quarter or annually — whichever works best for you. EFT saves time and money for you and for KCRM! You don’t have to remember to write a check each month You no longer have to find — or pay for — a stamp or envelope KCRM saves bank processing costs KCRM receives regular gifts that provide a stable financial foundation However you choose to give, becoming a Community for Hope™ partner will bring hope to those who need it most! Won’t you join us? Contact information: Email: Julie Larocco Phone: 816-421-7643
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Pray Kansas City Rescue Mission is God’s work! And we need God’s people to pray for us as we minister to the lost and hurting homeless who come our way. The primary reason we have been successful and blessed in our endeavors since 1950 is because of the faithful prayer support of a host of people. Would you consider being one of our “faithful prayer partners”… regularly upholding the ministry of the Kansas City Rescue Mission in prayer? Please let us know by emailing us at prayerpartner@kcrm.org. While specific prayer needs vary from day to day, there are continuing areas that need persistent and fervent prayer. These include: The influence of drugs and alcohol on many who come to the Mission for help. This is especially destructive in the lives of those who have made recent decisions to change their lifestyle and follow God. The men who are participating in the Christian Community of Recovery (C-COR) … a multi-level residential community that helps residents break personal strongholds of defeat through recovery and Bible classes, personal coaching, community service and accountability. Residents in our Transitional Living Center who are now preparing to re-enter society. Those who come each evening for relief services. That they would truly find freedom from their past and hope for their future. The completion and funding of the Women’s Center. The women who will come to receive help and hope at KCRM’s Women’s Center. Our committed base of volunteers. That they would consistently find joy, refreshment and fulfillment through their service. The staff of the Kansas City Rescue Mission who compassionately reach out to the lonely and hurting each day so that those in need can find hope and healing. KCRM’s Board of Directors, a group of 12 volunteers who provide focus and direction for the Kansas City Rescue Mission’s programs and services.
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Since 1950, Kansas City Rescue Mission has helped people in need. Whether they turn to us because of bad choices, bad breaks or both, we welcome the poor, homeless, hungry and hurting. Through a proven path from RELIEF to RECOVERY to RE-ENTRY, KCRM offers freedom from the past and hope for the future. We believe that the love of Jesus Christ can change lives. We see it happen here every day. Good food, safe shelter, comfortable beds, clean facilities. Case management, a proven recovery program, job and life-skills training. All these things and more are why hundreds of people come through our doors each year. But we cannot do it with out you! Please click How You Can Help for more information, or click here to make a gift now. Thank you for your friendship to Kansas City Rescue Mission.
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