Today is World Homeless Day and we would like to provide you with a snapshot of the people we help, right here in our community: your neighbors, friends, and acquaintances. We are called to serve and to lift the whole person through a variety of services we offer. Our vision is to lift people in need to the dignity of self-reliance, and encouraging others to help, so our communities will become one human family. 

COVID has caused many problems for our community and with it, housing insecurity. Since COVID began, 66% of people seeking help from Catholic Charities need housing assistance. Catholic Charities of Kansas City-Saint Joseph has paid almost $600,000 in rent assistance and almost $100,000 in utilities. Almost 200 families are in a permanent housing program through our Community Housing office.

When someone arrives, they receive help with the most emergent areas first, housing and food. The emergency assistance may be emergency food for a day, emergency rent, diapers and hygiene items. In order to stand on their own again, so they can live in the dignity of self-reliance, Catholic Charities of Kansas City- St. Joseph will help this person throughout that journey.

Someone in need will be able to partner with case management, adoption services, support and education for women from pregnancy to baby’s first birthday, in Mom’s Empowerment. Employment and Financial Literacy Classes help people with building resumes, budgeting, learning how to build credit and how to manage money. Stable and permanent housing is a key piece to the road of self-reliance. Our Nation’s Veterans can access help through Veteran Housing Services; Assisting veterans & their families that are homeless, or at risk of losing housing. Perhaps someone will need help from Housing for the Chronically Homeless; Chronically Homeless is homeless for one year, or four times in the last three years, and Senior Housing Services; for clients 62+ years. 

Can you, or someone you know benefit from our services? Give Catholic Charities a call at 816-221-4377 or email us at assistance@ccharities.com