Charity Provides Free Ballroom Dance Lessons for Public School Students

Ballroom dance has been in the blood of retired William Jewell professor Will Adams, Ph.D., since the age of 13 in 1943 when his mother taught him the waltz. Since then, he continued to learn, and he has taught dance lessons in some capacity since 1951. Then the 2005 movie Mad Hot Ballroom inspired Adams, his late wife Eleaner, and his dance teaching partner Paula Marie Daub, to begin their non-profit charity, Culture Through Ballroom Dance. Their goal is to teach public school students the joy of ballroom dance. Since 2006, the instructors with the charity, under the leadership of Adams and Daub, have taught hundreds of students not only how to ballroom dance, but how to become more confident as well.

The pilot program began in 2006, with KCMO public schools, and included four schools, lasted 12 weeks, and featured 75 kids in an end-of-the-season festival.

“This program was well-received. We taught swing dance, merengue and the tango. It was a joint effort with the FACS (Family and Consumer Services) program; the kids in that class made costumes for the dance at the festival,” Adams says.

After that pilot program, the program flourished with classes in 15 different schools and three different school districts. There are many options available for interested schools; from a one-time lesson to 22 classes throughout a semester. They have taught high school juniors and seniors in preparation for dancing at prom to teaching students Latin dances for Cinco de Mayo. The possibilities are endless.

Adams feels strongly that he is not just teaching ballroom dance, but rather he’s doing social work through the lessons, reaching students that possibly can’t be reached in other ways. He tells the story of a 5th grader named Steve, who was so shy and socially awkward that no one wanted to dance with him. Adams’ partner Daub had Steve assist her in teaching the steps and the student's confidence soared throughout the lessons. He began playing with other kids at recess, and his grades went up.

“Of course, it's not learning dance steps that does this; it's the socialization and self esteem. Other activities can produce the same effect–team sports, band, orchestra, even close order drill (the Marching Cobras). But ballroom dancing does all that these activities accomplish and teaches students in the early stages of puberty to work as a team with a member of the opposite gender. The immediate goal of our program is to teach people to dance. But we often end up doing social work as well,” Adams says.

Inspired by a similarly named William Jewel College ball,  the first annual Boogie Ball was held on February 14 at the Signature Air Flight Support hanger housing the TWA History Museum. It was a fundraiser for Culture Through Ballroom Dance to continue to sponsor dance lessons for schools both north and south of the river for 5th graders through high school students.

  “Our idea for the Boogie Ball is to raise funds to offer free dance lessons to as many area schools as possible,” Adams says.   

More information can be found on their website CultureBallroomDance.com/. Any school interested in having the program serve their students should call or email Paula Marie Daub at 816.454.2419, pmarie@cultureballroomdance.com to get on the list.  They will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Stephen Corbin’s memory lives on through foundation

Article Lisa Allen | Photography Provided

Stephen Corbin was anything but ordinary.

A foster parent and Big Brother, devoted husband and father, Rotarian, Optimist and lifelong basketball fan, Stephen had a heart for kids and the drive to help others. His passing—two days before his twin daughters’ tenth birthday—left a hole that simply can’t be filled.

“He died two and a half years ago,” says his widow Angie. “It still feels like yesterday. Alex, Kylee and I miss him so much.”

It was from her grief and with the help and support of friends that Angie started the Stephen Corbin Heart of Gold Foundation, which helps low income and underprivileged youth participate in organized sports by removing the financial barriers that keep so many on the sidelines. Generally speaking, the foundation offers assistance for anyone under 18 who wants to participate in a sport, but cannot shoulder the financial burden alone.

“Steve always wanted to help kids have the things he didn’t have,” says Angie. “He had such a huge heart, especially for kids. I knew within 24 hours of his death that I needed to start something that would honor him, and I know that he’s smiling now as he sees what we’re doing. Our daughters have played key roles in the formation of the foundation, and without the selfless actions of my volunteers and friends, there would be no foundation.          

There are so many more kids living in poverty than we realize,” says Angie. “Many people are embarrassed to ask for help, or think playing sports is a luxury. We’re trying to bridge that gap.”

“Sometimes paying the initial fees is enough for a family,” she says, “and by taking care of registration fees we give them enough time to plan for the additional expenses that come later in the season. Steve knew that it wasn’t enough for the kids to just play; they need to be a true part of the team. If we’re helping a dancer, that dancer should be able to have a beautiful costume and be in the recital, just like the other dancers.”

As a new foundation, Angie’s primary goal is raising awareness of the foundation’s mission. Building support, raising funds and spreading the word to those who might benefit from the foundation are immediate goals.

“I was a grieving widow, and not entirely proficient in understanding the process of establishing a non-profit organization,” she says. Though she holds a degree in business and worked for Sprint before her daughters were born, Angie says that understanding IRS rules for establishing a non-profit was an education. She forges on because of the stories she hears from people who need what the foundation does.

One story of a family Angie hopes to help involves a single mom of five kids, three of whom want to play football. The mom didn’t have enough money to purchase Christmas gifts for the kids, and the kids’ wish lists for the holidays included necessities like mattresses.

Another involved two sisters who’d played softball for years, but whose mom could no longer afford the high tournament fees.

A third family was dealing with a father’s recent cancer diagnosis. His treatments required him to travel from Kansas City to New York, which meant he couldn’t work. The foundation helped his son play football.

“Sometimes when I’m overwhelmed,” says Angie. “I think of what Martin Luther King, Jr., said: ‘Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.’ We may not be helping hundreds of children right now, though hopefully we will eventually. I know that Steve would remind me that making a difference for one person is important.

"The hardest part for me, other than missing him so much, is being patient. I want to help everyone right now. That’s what Steve would have tried to do. That’s his legacy, always extending a helping hand for others. Steve had enormous hands, and a heart of gold. He was such a Neil Young enthusiast that those words—heart of gold—are on his grave marker. He loved his motorcycle, and of course the acronym for Heart of Gold Foundation is HOG, which gives me chills."

They are working on a logo that will combine those elements, and communicate that helping hands come from compassion and love. The foundation is working hard so that they can help many more kids in Steve’s name.

"It might be selfish, but I’m very sentimental and deep down, doing this work keeps a part of him alive for us," says Angie. "I want some good to come from losing him. I want the world to know just how amazing he was.”

Global Health Innovation’s Mission of Caring for Moms and Babies with HIV

Article Lisa Allen | Photos Provided
I could pack this article with statistics: approximately 23 million people live with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly 16 million children under the age of 18 have been orphaned by AIDS in Africa alone. Each day, 6,000 people in Africa die from AIDS.
There are more. Countless statistics that signify how little medical care there is for babies born—or even suspected to be born—with HIV. Numbers that lump every HIV positive mother into a group with a label that names the malady, but skims over the reality of what life is like to be sick, poor, and overlooked.
We could—and should—also talk about medical procedures, blood draws and how testing a baby for HIV requires a DNA test. We should talk about how the technology that Global Health Innovations (GHI) developed, along with its partner Ontarget, to log, track and treat mothers and babies who test positive for HIV, is as sophisticated and complex as the population it caters to is poor and underprivileged.
And we could talk about how email, cell phones that ping off of towers in London to reach mud huts in rural Africa, and labs built at the request of the Centers for Disease Control all factor into the good work done by an organization that calls the Northland home.
Instead, I want to tell you how Brad Gautney, PNP, MPH, made me cry.
He got a phone call one day from Malawi, with news that there was a baby girl with no mother and no father. An astute partner of Gautney’s suspected the baby was HIV positive, but there was no way to test her in the rural area in which she was born.
Gautney immediately boarded a flight and flew there, and traveled two hours after he deplaned to reach the baby. He drew blood and flew to Nairobi, where the blood was tested. Gautney flew back home that very same night. That’s when the phone call came.
The tests confirmed that she was HIV positive.
This happened five years ago. Today, Gautney sees her—now a “spunky, beautiful, spoiled little girl,”–whenever he visits that village. She’s one of his son’s closest friends when they see each other, he says, and he’s reminded each time he picks her up and twirls her around, that GHI, the organization he founded and serves as president of, is rooted not only in medicine, but in compassion and love.
“There is an epidemic across the way,” says Gautney. “Our organization, based right here in Parkville, is making an unbelievable impact. We’re saving lives, and we’re giving kids the opportunity to have a normal childhood.

We don’t just test, or hand out medicine,” he says. “These kids remind me that what we do is real. Everyone we treat is someone’s daughter or son. Their lives matter. That’s why we do what we do.”
Gautney’s journey began with a college internship in Haiti. He quickly saw that there were no services or options for HIV positive patients. Babies weren’t touched or held because of fear over the dangers of HIV and AIDS. That broke his heart, he says.
“Knowing that those babies would not ever get to experience the power of human touch,” he says, “put in my heart what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I’m blessed to do this,” he says.
From 2002 to 2006, Gautney and his family lived in rural Haiti. He ran a clinic, a school and a nutrition program. After four years, he knew there had to be a better way to make more of a difference. He returned to the states and to school, and earned two masters degrees: one in public health, the other as a pediatric nurse practitioner.
Eventually Gautney turned over his work in Haiti to a partner, and now, with GHI, focuses on needs in Africa. In addition to providing solutions and intervention that impact the lives of HIV positive moms and babies, Gautney and his team provide medical care for children living in orphanages, and for children rescued from slavery.
It’s not easy work, and it takes a toll not only practically, but emotionally. There are logistical roadblocks, like lack of transportation and medical care, as well as cultural issues. Gautney says one of the most important things he does is educating people about GHI’s work.
“Faith is why I do this,” he says, “but it’s bigger than just me. I’m sustained by my most amazing wife, Monica, who is really the foundation of everything I do. And Julie Dougherty, RN, is our HIT System Director. She’s in the trenches, making contact and building incredible relationships with the workers we have on the ground. She truly makes a difference in the lives of these people.”
Gautney has taken high school students from the Parkville area with him to Malawi each year for the past several years for two week trips. Students who aspire to someday work in medicine observe the care provided by GHI, and gain an understanding of what it truly means to take care of another person, says Gautney.
“We couldn’t do this without the grass roots support of the people of Kansas City,” says Gautney. “Even though we’ve started to see some grant money for the work we’re doing, the majority of our funds come from private donations from folks who understand the importance of what we’re doing.
If there could be one thing that I want everyone to know,” says Gautney, “it would be that every kid, no matter where they live, should have the chance to be loved. Every little girl and little boy should know how it feels to be normal and healthy. That’s my wish,” he says.
To learn more about GHI or to donate, visit GlobalHealthInnovations.org

Charity Provides Free Ballroom Dance Lessons for Public School Students

article by Jennifer Higgins
Photography Baileah Arant and provided
Ballroom dance has been in the blood of retired William Jewell professor Will Adams, Ph.D., since the age of 13 in 1943 when his mother taught him the waltz. Since then, he continued to learn, and he has taught dance lessons in some capacity since 1951. Then the 2005 movie Mad Hot Ballroom inspired Adams, his late wife Eleaner, and his dance teaching partner Paula Marie Daub, to begin their non-profit charity, Culture Through Ballroom Dance. Their goal is to teach public school students the joy of ballroom dance. Since 2006, the instructors with the charity, under the leadership of Adams and Daub, have taught hundreds of students not only how to ballroom dance, but how to become more confident as well.
The pilot program began in 2006, with KCMO public schools, and included four schools, lasted 12 weeks, and featured 75 kids in an end-of-the-season festival.
“This program was well-received. We taught swing dance, merengue and the tango. It was a joint effort with the FACS (Family and Consumer Services) program; the kids in that class made costumes for the dance at the festival,” Adams says.
After that pilot program, the program flourished with classes in 15 different schools and three different school districts. There are many options available for interested schools, from a one-time lesson to 22 classes throughout a semester. They have taught high school juniors and seniors in preparation for dancing at prom to teaching students Latin dances for Cinco de Mayo. The possibilities are endless.
Adams feels strongly that he is not just teaching ballroom dance, but rather he’s doing social work through the lessons, reaching students that possibly can’t be reached in other ways. He tells the story of a 5th grader named Steve, who was so shy and socially awkward that no one wanted to dance with him. Adams’ partner Daub had Steve assist her in teaching the steps and the student’s confidence soared throughout the lessons. He began playing with other kids at recess, and his grades went up.
“Of course, it’s not learning dance steps that does this; it’s the socialization and self esteem. Other activities can produce the same effect–team sports, band, orchestra, even close order drill (the Marching Cobras). But ballroom dancing does all that these activities accomplish and teaches students in the early stages of puberty to work as a team with a member of the opposite gender. The immediate goal of our program is to teach people to dance. But we often end up doing social work as well,” Adams says.
Inspired by a similarly named William Jewel College ball,  the first annual Boogie Ball was held on February 14 at the Signature Air Flight Support hanger housing the TWA History Museum. It was a fundraiser for Culture Through Ballroom Dance to continue to sponsor dance lessons for schools both north and south of the river for 5th graders through high school students.
“Our idea for the Boogie Ball is to raise funds to offer free dance lessons to as many area schools as possible,” Adams says.

More information can be found on their website CultureBallroomDance.com. Any school interested in having the program serve their students should call or email Paula Marie Daub at 816.454.2419, pmarie@cultureballroomdance.com to get on the list.  They will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Love the Skin You’re In!

Article Peggy Parolin

“Wear the skin you’re in.”
For husband-and-wife dermatologist team Molly Menser and Brian Matthys, D.O.s, these words have become a mantra, an attempt to dispel the belief that being tan is healthy and cool. In fact, it’s just the opposite. “Tanning is NOT cool; it can be deadly”.
Menser and Matthys, who operate Sunflower Dermatology & Medical Day Spa in Riverside, MO, are intent on educating the public about the dangers and lifelong impact tanning has on the skin. In their practice, they see daily the effects outdoor sun tanning and tanning booths have on a person’s skin. “Skin cancer is now the number one form of cancer in the United States,” cites Menser. “This year, more than 5 million cases of skin cancer in more than two million people will be diagnosed.”
With all the press about the continued popularity of artificial tanning, especially among young women in the Midwest, the doctors saw the need to create a movement that celebrates your natural skin color and sparks discussions on this very topic.
“We realized warnings and reminders simply weren’t enough. Dr. Matthys and I decided to find a positive way to influence young people, to educate them without preaching, and without the repetition of negative messages. Instead of saying, ‘don’t do this or don’t do that’, we want to impress upon them that it’s fashionable not to tan. They can be proud to be pale. We believe fashion is an effective venue for this. Their non-profit organization, Fair and Fashionable: Wear the Skin You’re In ™ is the result.”
Established in 2012, Fair and Fashionable hosted their second annual celebration on October 2, immediately following the Kansas City Fashion Week. Wearing the creations of some of Kansas City’s hottest designers, local models walked the runways at where else, but the couple’s dermatology clinic. The well-attended event achieved the desired effect of creating a message that “healthy, undamaged skin is indeed beautiful”.
Attendees at the event enjoyed complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, received giveaways; door prizes and discounts on all products and future cosmetic appointments booked that evening. Long term, the funds raised through Fair and Fashionable will support on-site education in high schools, sorority houses, college groups, or wherever the information can have the most impact.
‘Our number one goal is to detect skin cancer early and help create healthy habits in early life. We would like to engage peer advocates in high schools and even colleges to educate and help raise awareness about the damage and risks of tanning. The integration of fashion increases that opportunity for us. Fashion fits into students’ everyday lives. Young people pay attention to style, to what’s considered trendy and beautiful. We can reinforce through fashion, showing them how good “fair” can look, that there’s a positive alternative to tanning, to damaging your skin.”
“There’s really no such thing as a safe tan,” explains Menser. “Every single tan is damage to your skin. The moment you are hit with UV rays, either from a tanning bed or from the sun, the body tries to protect itself from the rays by producing melanin. Melanin makes your skin darker; it’s the body’s way of protecting skin from burning. The more exposure to the sun you have, the darker the tan, the more damage occurs.”
Even more dangerous and damaging than an outdoor tan is an indoor tan,” continues Menser. “The World Health Organization recently added ultraviolet (UV) radiation-emitting tanning devices – tanning beds and lamps – to the list of the most dangerous forms of cancer-causing radiation. Just one tanning bed session increases the risk of developing melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, by 20 percent. Intermittent use ups the chances to 75 percent. If you have used a tanning bed, you should have a dermatologist check your skin.”
“Melanoma, once considered an older persons disease is killing young people,” emphasizes Menser. It’s now the most common cancer among people ages 25-29 and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 year old. One person in the US dies every 57 minutes of melanoma. You have to ask yourself, is being tan worth it?”
“We’re not saying people shouldn’t have fun in the sun. We’re saying, when you are in the sun, use sunscreen; consider sun protective clothing such SwimZip. Fun can be safe.”
“Tans used to be status symbols, but that’s no longer true,” offers Menser. The trend has come full circle; now we’re back to fair. It’s fashionable to celebrate and to embrace your natural color. We want to change inward thinking about outward appearance. We want people to feel good about themselves as they are, in the skin they’re in.”

CultureBallroomDance.com

EDU Lawn Care helps students invest in their future

Article Jennifer HIggins | Photography Lani Odell

The average college graduate is tasked with finding a job, paying back college loans, and the mountain of stress that comes with those two things. For many of these graduates, finding a job that will pay enough to pay back those loans can be difficult. Todd Coleman, director of operations for EDU Lawn Care, hopes to change that with a new business model.

 “EDU Lawn Care originally began as a lawn mowing business for my son about four or five years ago," Coleman says. "As a competitive swimmer, with long practices in the morning and in the evening, shift work wasn’t feasible. I wanted to make it a teachable moment, running a business and the responsibility that comes with that. But then we started researching post-secondary options for him, and it became apparent something is wrong with our system. The cost of education is going up in price, and the cost is growing faster than the demand. Then I started thinking if we built stronger communities with kids and business tools, where they built their own business and supported the community, that would be a different atmosphere."

What developed is not just the average lawn care service, but rather a business model to teach students how to run a business, with a goal of the student graduating from college debt-free, or as close to that as they can get. Employees work on all aspect of the company, from the actual lawn services to networking with businesses and politicians to marketing services and bringing in new clients, and are paid a wage similar to other lawn care companies. Once the employee graduates from college, they are responsible for hiring their replacement, and Coleman hopes they will be set up with the correct business connections and skills to build their own company in the community that supported them.

“What really sets EDU Lawn Care apart is this: every employee is required to put 10 percent of their wages in a 529B college fund—which I can help set up—and then when all A+ money has been exhausted, EDU Lawn Care cuts a check for the matching funds for educational purposes," Coleman explains. "We can help them set up checking and savings accounts too; the key is learning and moving out of education into the business world with real life skills. We’ve been working since October 2014 on the educational side, and so far, we’ve been able to pay for books for all our employees. That’s just with us getting started. Hopefully with a full season under our belt, that will grow."

Jerry Nolte, current Presiding Commissioner of Clay County, has used EDU Lawn Care since the beginning for rental properties.

“It’s a good price for a good product," Nolte says. "They are not only providing a service, but learning a business. The skills these employees get are skills larger businesses are finding harder to fulfill. These kids are work ready, and the entrepreneurship skills can’t just be found in reading a textbook, but hands on skills. I have confidence they are here for the long term; with the snow removal service, we have a 12-month relationship, and that makes them reliable."

Right now, EDU Lawn Care has been operational in Clay and Platte Counties with four paid employees and four volunteers, but as the business grows, Coleman anticipates more employees, and eventually, satellite offices in other communities. That too is a learning experience for the student–learning how to start a new office, and how to become part of that community.

Services offered are basic lawn care, fertilization, landscaping, and snow removal for both residential and commercial accounts. EDU Lawn Care uses professional equipment only. More information can be found at EDULawn.com.

Abdul Bakar’s Journey

Article Pete Dulin | Photography Joel Schneider

Movement from crisis to opportunity, uncertainty to knowledge, forms the backbone of Abdul Bakar’s story. While a lifestyle of nomadic movement was familiar to Bakar in his native Somalia, circumstances and personal determination led him to his adopted home in Kansas City.

In 1992 at the age of 13, Bakar moved from Somalia and left his family behind to escape civil war and dangerous conflict. Bakar witnessed horrific atrocities and the loss of relatives and friends. He resettled as a refugee in Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city with an estimated population of more than one million people. Much later, Bakar’s family also escaped Somalia’s dire situation and joined him. Until then, Bakar relied on himself to survive. He received only basic services from nonprofit agencies.  

Refugees like Bakar also faced abuse from police and bullying from Kenyan locals. Bakar taught himself Swahili to better blend in and avoid brutality and abuse. His language skills afforded him better opportunities for jobs and advancement in school.

“I worked to earn money so I could attend private school,” Bakar says. “I wanted to fill my unquenchable thirst for knowledge.”

Bakar also read books on chemistry, the arts, and every subject he could obtain a book about. In addition to work and school, he took care of his sister, who had joined him before the rest of the family arrived.

“My formal education was often interrupted by life’s demands,” he says. “In Mombasa, I rejected the lifestyle that other youth chose and the alcohol and drugs they used. I focused on survival and learning. I sought the council of the wise ones in my community.”

Despite his environment, Bakar was determined to choose wisely and rise above his circumstances. Education offered a pathway forward. Bakar met fellow students and mentors in school from other countries that opened horizons. He passed his exams and sought new opportunity.

After eight years with his family in Kenya, Bakar left the country at age 21, bound for Atlanta, Georgia. The Immigrant and Naturalization Service (INS) provided assistance with the relocation process. Background checks, medical assessments for disease and interviews were part of the protocol.

He met his wife Dahabo in Atlanta in 1999. After deliberation, they moved to Kansas City, where less expensive housing and better-paying jobs were available. The couple now has five children: Hannah, Maryam, Muhammad, Hassan and Aishah.

Bakar imparts lessons and values to his children growing up in a multicultural society. “I come from a communal society, but my children are raised in an individualistic society," he says. "I am giving them the best of both worlds.”

He encourages his children to think about the underprivileged and the environment from a communal perspective. For example, birthdays are not celebrated in Somali tradition. Yet, Bakar provided a birthday cake for one of his daughters. He took her to share the cake with homeless and underprivileged people so they could join in the celebration.

“We bring the individualistic and communal aspects together into a community-based activity, so she can see another part of the world,” Bakar says.

He describes how our nation’s patriots – referring to homeless veterans – are still fighting a war under our bridges.

 “We don’t see them and help," he notes. "There is a lot to learn by sharing the story of these people.”

Bakar continues to address locally social ills that he experienced firsthand in Africa. Education and service offered a starting point. He began studies toward an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in  curriculum and instruction from UMKC’s School of Education with a co-discipline of Social Science Consortium.

He also works as the director of refugee services at Della Lamb. The community service center provides support and teaches low-income Kansas City people of all ages and backgrounds on how to become self-sufficient and empowered.

To date, Bakar has aided 200 people per year resettle through his work at Della Lamb. The center provides access, support and training to refugees within a 90-day window. Bakar helps refugees establish basic services, enroll children in school, prepare for job interviews and find homes that are safe, secure and affordable.

Once Bakar’s studies are complete, he aims to conduct research on the impact of the refugee experience on African children. Ultimately, he wants to find ways to empower refugee kids and immigrants so they may better integrate into society.

“It requires hard work to help them,” says Bakar of his work with refugees, “but I believe it is patriotic to build a nation by helping others. Other people invested in me. I am paying back for those who helped me.”

When Bill Gates, Warren Buffet or Oprah Winfrey give money to worthy causes, it’s usually millions, or even billions, of dollars. But most charitable giving comes from everyday people in much smaller amounts.  And that is at the heart of the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

The organization was started in 1978 by founders who wanted to help improve the metropolitan area but believed charitable giving should be the responsibility of many, not just a select few. They passed a hat, collected $210, and the Community Foundation was born. It has grown to a premier organization, consistently ranking in the top one percent of community foundations in the country in asset size ($2.4 billion), gifts received and grants made.

“We recognized early on that most donors in Kansas City already knew what causes they wanted to support. They simply needed a vehicle that would allow them to give efficiently,” says Debbie Wilkerson, president and CEO, and lifelong resident of the area.

And giving efficiently is just what the Community Foundation provides, making every gift count, whether it’s $25 or $25 million.

“Charitable giving accounts help donors organize and maximize their giving. The money in each account is invested, either in our investment pools or with the donor’s financial advisor, allowing the donor’s charitable impact to grow. We don’t require a minimum balance, and we encourage our donors to make grants to any public charities they care about as often as they want and in any amount,” says Wilkerson.

%MCEPASTEBIN%“When compared to private foundations, charitable giving accounts are inexpensive, confidential, and quick and easy to establish. And finally, at the end of each year, donors don’t have to sort through boxes of receipts to determine their total charitable tax deduction. Instead, they have one simple statement outlining all of their giving for the year.”

In addition to cash, donors can put stock or other assets into their funds.

“Our expertise in receiving complex gifts is exceptional,” explains Wilkerson. “We’re actually the first and only charity to receive, hold and sell a major league sports team – the Kansas City Royals! And we help our donors ensure they are receiving the maximum tax benefits for their donations.”

The Community Foundation has regional boards representing all areas of the metro, including the Eastland Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Johnson County, the Community Foundation of Wyandotte County and Northland Community Foundation. They also have two cultural boards, The Black Community Fund and the Hispanic Development Fund.

For those wanting help with charitable giving, but not wanting to open their own fund, the Community Foundation administers funds and accepts donations for a wide range of causes and organizations. Examples are Feed Northland Kids, which works in conjunction with Harvesters to provide BackSnacks to approximately 3,000 school age children each week, and the Hispanic Development Scholarship Fund, which recently presented $420,000 in college scholarships to 326 deserving students.

The Community Foundation also offers an array of Donor Education Programs to help individuals and families get the most out of their giving.

Giving Cards

Continuing its efforts to make giving easy for everyone, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation created a unique Giving Card program in 2007.

Much like retail gift cards, Giving Cards can be given to celebrate birthdays, holidays or other special occasions. Giving Cards can be redeemed to benefit any 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States (including schools, churches and synagogues). Card recipients simply go online to redeem the card for their chosen charity.

“The response has been very positive, as it’s a step beyond the ‘Here’s a gift in your name’ philosophy,” Wilkerson says.

The program continues to grow each year, peaking during the holiday season. Giving Cards have become popular with companies that choose to customize Giving Cards with their logos and then use them as gifts for employees or clients.

Wilkerson, who has worked for the Community Foundation in various roles since 1998, became president and CEO in 2012. She says she loves seeing the impact that donors at every level are making in our city.

“First and foremost, it’s our neighbors here in Kansas City who, year after year, continue to awe and inspire us with their generosity.”

For more information, visit GrowYourGiving.org

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Horses and Rescuers Help Each Other

Article Pete Dulin | Photography Joel Schneider

Josie has a weight problem. She is currently more than 300 pounds underweight. Standing at 17 hands high, the tall, magnificent brown Percheron has seen better days over her 18 years of life. This gentle former broodmare arrived at Changing Leads Equine Rescue in early July. Since then, her life has slowly taken a better turn.

When Changing Leads Barn Manager and Team Trainer Melissa Harrell and other volunteers first met Josie, the horse was 400 pounds underweight. Her ribs showed prominently. Her hooves needed drastic trimming. She stood with an awkward, flat-footed stance. Josie also suffers from Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD), a syndrome that impairs the lower joints on her hind legs and collapses them into a “coon-footed” or severely-angled position.

The volunteers at Changing Leads manage Josie’s special diet. They feed her three times daily to help her recover from malnourishment. Numerous visits from a veterinarian and farrier along with personal attention from volunteers have improved her health. Eventually, she will be available for adoption only as a companion horse, no longer fit for riding,

Nonprofit Changing Leads is based at the Woodson Hill Equestrian Center just a few miles from Zona Rosa.

“We used to be River Bluff Rescue Ranch,” says Elizabeth Hill, a volunteer with that effort launched in 2005.

By 2006, Hill realized the rescue ranch needed a more practical location. She bought Woodson Hill in 2007 and set up the equestrian center for boarding and training. That business helps underwrite the rescue operation.

“Boarding horses brought in cash flow. In 2008, we moved the rescue horses here to a more structured environment,” says Hill. “Their health began improving within a couple of months.”

Today, Hill, a volunteer board and 25 active, mostly female, volunteers care for a half-dozen horses.

Horses are brought to Changing Leads when the original owners can no longer care for them, due to expense, hardship or other personal circumstances. Abandoned and neglected horses are also rescued. Each horse underwent quarantine and medical evaluation by Kent Jackson, D.V.M., after arrival at the center.

Changing Leads has 10 acres of dedicated fenced-in pastures, turnouts and facilities for the horses to roam and train. Harrell and other volunteers teach the horses “ground manners” such as how to back-up and respect the trainer’s personal space.

“Many horses don’t have training,” says Nancy Stancel, board secretary and team trainer. “We assess the danger level of each horse.”

Each horse exhibits a different personality and level of training. Some horses like Josie need extreme medical attention and care before they train and condition on the road to recovery.

Volunteers need training as well for their safety before they gain the privilege of caring for the horses. Changing Leads hosts training sessions for volunteers several times each year. The work involves far more than grooming or riding the horses. It’s hot, hard work shoveling manure, cleaning stables and lugging 50-pound hay bales and bags of grain.

“Out of a group of 10-15 people, we will get one or two good volunteers,” says Harrell. “It’s labor intensive. The horses get sick. Sometimes they are goofy or frightened. You have to be passionate about working with them. It’s not easy.”

Despite the labor, volunteers like Harrell, Adoption Coordinator Micah Dannar and Communications Coordinator Brandie Tryban care deeply about working with the horses.

Changing Leads finds a safe, suitable home for each horse when they are ready for adoption.

“Spirit was an Arabian rescue,” says Harrell. The horse was rescued from an auction by a volunteer. “She was spooky and spacy but high-spirited. She knew every trick. We eventually found someone to adopt her.”

Prospective adopters must complete a detailed application that is reviewed by the board. More than 50 horses have been adopted since inception of the rescue program.

“Changing Leads checks their references and facility,” says Harrell. “New owners must sign a contract to never breed, race or use the horse commercially. Some adopted horses come back. We ask that adopters call us first, if they cannot care for the horse.”

Working with rescued horses impacts the lives of the volunteers.

“The horses are a personal healing therapy,” says Hill of the experience. “There’s emotional bonding with the horse. You have to show up, be responsible and accountable as a volunteer. It’s good modeling for young adults and kids.”

Besides volunteers, Changing Leads relies on donated funds and supplies to operate.

“We receive funding from donations, grants, word-of-mouth and events like the annual Fuzzy Horse Show,” says Hill.

Funds go toward feed, supplies, medical treatment, medicine and maintainence. Changing Leads also maintains an extensive wish list for needed items that can be donated.

Visit ChangingLeadsEquineRescue.org to learn more about Changing Leads, current rescue horses like Josie and how to become involved in changing lives.

Helping Families In Whatever Ways They Need

Article Lisa Allen | Photography provided

Picture this: a humble, two-level ranch home in a typical suburban cul-de-sac. The same folks have had this house since 1986 and its walls have witnessed tears and laughter, desperation and hope.

Now imagine a semi-truck—a Harvester’s delivery truck—pulling into the cul-de-sac, then offloading pallets of food into the basement of this humble structure, where it stays until volunteers carry it all upstairs to be parceled out to folks who rely on the food for sustenance.

This is the reality for Metro Lutheran Ministry (MLM). More than 2,000 families were provided emergency assistance from that humble two-story ranch last year alone. It’s where people have flocked for food, school supplies, and assistance with rent and utility payments.

“The need just continues to grow,” says Operations Director Starla Brennan. “Thirty-four percent of kids in the Northland get free or reduced lunch. Countless people don’t have bank accounts and need help with basic financial literacy. We’re seeing a very real need for case management in addition to emergency assistance, and we need more space for that.”

Brennan says that MLM helps everyone, regardless of faith or religious affiliation, and many churches in the area refer people to MLM for help with a variety of problems.

“There are so many stories of need, I could list hundreds. For example: last month we helped two families,” says Brennan. “In both of those families, the children had been separated from their parents. In order to be reunited, they have to be stable. They have to have a grasp on their finances and have a home. The kids have to have beds. It’s not just one step to helping them.

When we work with people who are in crisis, they’re never in just one crisis,” says Brennan. “They’re in several simultaneously. Unemployment means someone can’t pay rent, or buy food; divorce often means issues with eviction and problems for kids at school. Every situation is unique and nuanced, and it takes time and individual attention to help them.”

What MLM does is powerful, but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires more space than they currently have; more office space, more space for staff, and more space for clients to gather, talk, and learn how to break the cycle of poverty.

“Our goal is to help stop this cycle,” says Brennan. “To deal with the increased volume of people who need help means that we have to expand our services from emergency assistance to case management. We go into a client’s home to teach them how to cook, how to budget, how to navigate their world successfully. It’s powerful, but it requires more space and more resources on our end.”

Brennan says the Northland community has been generous with support.

“The Northland community has really stepped up to help with funding. We’ve received grants that were only possible because we were able to raise the required matching amount, and we couldn’t have done that without the support of those here in the Northland.”

Brennan credits Jeani Wells, Emergency Assistance Coordinator, for knowing the Northland community intimately and understanding the resources available to help clients in need.

MLM operates almost exclusively on contributions, grants, and individual donations and serves residents at seven locations in Clay, Jackson and Wyandotte counties. They recently held a fundraiser to benefit a new Northland Service Center, which will provide a larger space with more capacity to help those in need.

“It’s easy to talk about need in a broad sense, but what we really focus on is each client,” says Brennan. “Here’s an example: one mom just graduated from our year-long program. She is a domestic violence survivor with two sons. She came here to Kansas City because she was fleeing an abusive husband. She didn’t know anyone, and it wasn’t long before her husband found her. Before she went through the program, her boys were moving from school to school and had disciplinary issues. She juggled jobs and struggled with finances, and lived in fear. Now she and her boys are settled in. They are doing well in school—excelling, actually—and she learned how to stretch her budget to provide for them.

They are the reason we do what we do. They are the reason we need to grow, because there are so many others who face instability and fear and have no safety net of support.”

To learn more or donate, visit MLMKC.org

Article Lisa Allen | Photography Provided

Ed Collins doesn’t want to talk about business.

Let me rephrase that: if you’re in the market for a new mattress, he wants to talk to you about his selection of high-end options at warehouse prices. After only five years in business, the company Collins started with his wife and daughter in the garage of their home has grown to seven retail locations in the Kansas City metro as well as locations in Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Burlington Mattress became the number one volume dealer in the country its first year in business and was able to boast complete—as in 100 percent–customer satisfaction.

And he’ll tell you that as the company has grown so has the staff, but that everyone who works at Burlington Mattress—technically family or not—is treated like family. He’ll tell you that a pure love of what they do is the common thread between every employee, and that team members consistently challenge themselves personally and professionally.

He’ll tell you that Burlington Mattress is more than a business. It’s a family, and every family has a story. Ed is a retired Kansas City Fire Department Battalion chief. His son, Phillip, who now works in the business, is a Navy veteran.

“They give so much,” says Collins, speaking of those who serve. “When Phillip was overseas, it made us think, how many other families are missing someone? Anyone who hasn’t been there doesn’t truly know what they’ve sacrificed for the rest of us.”

To honor those who serve, Burlington Mattress offers a 10 percent discount to every service member or veteran. In November, to commemorate Veteran’s Day, Burlington Mattress gives veterans with financial obstacles a mattress.

For free.

It’s on the honor system; veterans are asked to present proof of service—DD214, active military card, or reservist card—and are then given a king-sized mattress. It’s a little thing, according to Collins, compared to what those who serve have done for all of us. To date, Burlington Mattress has given away more than 1,200 mattresses to veterans in need.

“We recognize that without their sacrifices, we wouldn’t have so many of the freedoms that we often take for granted,” says Collins. “We wouldn’t have the opportunity to own a company and to live the American dream. We’re thankful, and this is just one way to show it.”

Veterans aren’t the only folks who have a place to lay their heads at night thanks to Collins and his team; when Loren Halifax of FOX4 called and said FOX4’s Love Fund for Children was looking for a mattress company to work with to purchase beds for children in need, Collins obliged.

“I talked with Lisa Herron (Love Fund for Children’s executive director), and she said they could buy the mattresses, but they needed a place to store them,” Collins says. “We went back and forth about the particulars like quantities and such. They needed about $50,000 worth of beds. That’s how many children are in need of a bed to sleep in. We didn’t sell Love Fund the mattresses; we donated them.

When you realize that kids are sleeping on the floor,” says Collin, “it’s the right thing to do. You know, I’ve been on the other side of that; I’ve seen need as a fire chief, and as a family we’ve been close needing help from others. We’re blessed now with a successful business. We don’t need anything, but others do. Love Fund for Children is a phenomenal organization; if I could encourage anyone to do something to make a difference, it would be to support them.”

Learn more at KCBed.com.

For almost 20 years Lazarus Ministries has fed, clothed, and supported Kansas City’s homeless.

Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Provided

In 1996, the congregation at Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist, at 205 E. 9th Street in Kansas City, Mo., had shrunk to some three families—a far cry from the hundreds it counted among its ranks in the glory days. The church had been active since 1865, but its community had altered greatly in the ensuing years, from a prosperous, busy commercial district to a neighborhood abandoned.

“There was a potluck luncheon after church one Sunday,” recounts Jessica Brooks-Bryon, the Executive Director. “The congregation was wondering if they should shutter their doors. Then, in walks a homeless man. Instead of being afraid or offended, they asked him to join their meal. This was the pivotal moment where Lazarus Ministries all began.”

“They continued opening their doors to the homeless and hungry, and it was such a success they needed a few other UM congregations to come and help,” continues Jessica. “Programs continued to grow, and in 2009 Lazarus Ministries was incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization in an effort to grow this program from a tiny church outreach into a fortified nonprofit.”

The charity refers to those it serves as “Sojourners” and helps them through five outreaches: Lazarus Table, Lazarus Boutique, Emergency Women’s Shelter, Sojourner Health Clinic and Supportive Housing.

“By referring to those we serve as Sojourners, we intentionally emphasize that the homeless individuals are people on a journey; they are in transition and are worthy of care and consideration,” says Jessica. “And Lazarus Ministries strives to help them on their journey to a better place.”

Lazarus Table, the charity’s cornerstone program, has grown from one meal to three hot meals each weekend, and in 2014 provided more than 31,000 meals. The clothing boutique, meanwhile, met immediate needs for clothing and personal items for close to 3,500 individuals. And the Emergency Women’s Shelter provided 2,090 nights of shelter to homeless women.

Finally, the Sojourner Health Clinic, which opened in 2004, treated 502 patients in 1,563 patient encounters in the past year alone. Sojourner is a free clinic developed and managed by medical students from the UM–KC Medical School.

On Sundays, the students—with faculty supervision—provide blood-pressure monitoring, blood-sugar testing, a dispensary for medications, and an on-site physician. There have been more than 1,000 patient visits and 2,400 prescriptions filled since the clinic opened.

All of these programs are staffed thanks to volunteers from more than 150 community groups and congregations of all denominations throughout the Midwest. In fact, a force of more than 2,000 volunteers contributed more than 10,000 hours to all Lazarus Ministries projects in 2014 alone. Funding stems from individuals, churches, community groups, foundations, and a few small fundraising events. Plans are in the works for the charity’s first significant fundraiser in the next year.

Those wishing to lend a hand with this grassroots organization should consider volunteering—or even joining the charity’s Board, says Jessica. “We have an outstanding and dedicated Board of Directors, but it’s small team and we need to grow our board to not only diversify the labor and increase our resources, but we’re looking for committed volunteers interested in urban poverty and helping make change in the community. And of course, on a programmatic level, we’re challenged with finding additional funding and stocking items most in-demand in the boutique: men’s jeans and shoes and new underwear.”

It’s easy to fall into stereotypes of what a homeless person looks like, Jessica adds, but the truth will surprise you. For instance, Jenny’s apartment building was sold without notice to residents, and all were forced to move out. With inadequate resources and no support system, her cycle of homelessness began.

“Jenny spent two winters in Lazarus Ministries’ Emergency Shelter for Women,” says Jessica. “It became clear she needed someone to walk her through the steps it takes to get a life back on track. Jenny spent 2.5 years in our Supportive Housing program, living year-round in a basement apartment at Grand Avenue Temple and participating in mental health counseling, case management, and other components of the program. Working through emotional damage from homelessness, learning to live independently, applying for supportive programs (such as disability), and securing employment all take time. The strength of Lazarus’ program is walking alongside our clients while giving them responsibility and rebuilding their self-esteem.”

This past summer, Jenny moved into an independent housing program for seniors, and Lazarus is extremely proud of her journey out of homelessness. The organization will walk with her every step of the way: helping Jenny furnish and move into her apartment, aiding with the $150 deposit, and most importantly, keeping her connected.

“The relationship doesn’t end when our residents move out,” says Jessica. “This is just one step in Jenny’s journey, as she’ll inevitably continue to encounter hurdles within the system. And we’ll be there to help her through those challenges.”

Jenny comes back every week to volunteer and see friends at Lazarus Ministries. While this isn’t required, it’s important for everyone to feel like they have a community, or as Jenny says “Another place to call home.”

For more information, visit GrandAvenueTempleUMC.org/Lazarus-Ministries.

Local Organization Helps People With Disabilities Live Full, Independent Lives

Article Katherine Bontrager | Photography Provided

For Jim Leach, it was a battle with bipolar disease. For Aaron Price, it was a devastating car crash that led to being paralyzed. Each man had a very different challenge that lay before him, but each was able to turn to the same place for help: The Whole Person. This incredible local nonprofit aids people with disabilities so they can live independently—all while trying to impart change within the community to expand opportunities for such independent living.

The organization reaches out to people with physical and mental disabilities, their spouses and family members, as well as schools, businesses, and local government agencies. Its aim? To connect people like Leach and Price to the support and resources they need, so that they have the choice to stay out of institutions and nursing homes and instead live meaningful, independent lives.

For each individual, this means something different. For Leach it was managing his illness with proper medication and regular psychiatric visits.

“I credit my ongoing wellness to having found the peer support group sponsored by The Whole Person,” Leach writes. “This group allowed me to accept my illness, demonstrated that I was not alone and gave me the knowledge it is okay to be bipolar. I cannot overstate the value this has been and continues to be for me personally as well as my family, friends, and coworkers.”

For Price, there was much to learn about coping with his injury upon his release from the rehabilitation hospital.

“I’m constantly running into new obstacles and issues,” he writes. “Thanks to the peer group at The Whole Person, I’m given the information to deal with those obstacles in a constructive, easy manner. The group also keeps me connected to the spinal cord injury community in the Kansas City area and the activities available to us. The best part about the spinal cord injury peer group at The Whole Person is that it provides me with a safe place to talk about my injury with others who know exactly how I feel. I couldn’t think of a better place to go for answers to my questions about living with my injury, and I’m looking forward to attending many more meetings in the future.”

This one-of-a-kind agency improved the lives of more than 2,000 individuals in 2015, in a wide range of ways. Whether it’s providing up-to-date information on services and support regarding adaptive equipment, transportation, accessible housing, offering one-on-one training to help adults with disabilities develop skills needed to live independently, peer mentoring, or advocacy on the local, state and federal level, The Whole Person takes a systematic approach to tackling this very real need. Another focus for this organization? It’s helped approximately 1,200 people avoid institutionalization by making them aware of real living options within the community.

Yet this is only part of the picture. The Whole Person also aids families that have children with disabilities. Be it free sign language instruction or helping high schoolers transition out of school upon graduation, the organization is there every step of the way as its participants progress through life.

Funding for this very unique program is garnered through grants, United Way campaigns and individual, foundation and corporate support. Opportunities for volunteering and financial support are always welcome, as The Whole Person seeks to empower not only its participants, but also the greater community as a whole, so that there are equal opportunities for every person.

“The Whole Person’s goals are to promote empowerment, independence, self-reliance, and inclusion for people with disabilities,” says Julie DeJean, CEO of The Whole Person.

For Leach and Price—and countless others—that goal is met again and again as this unique organization enables those in need, regardless of their disability, to feel whole and independent once again. It’s something many of us take for granted—but something a special few ensure all of us get to enjoy.

For more information, visit TheWholePerson.org.

Volunteer-driven orchestra proves that music doesn’t die

Article Lisa Allen 
Photography Provided

Maestro Jim Murray would like to invite you to 
the symphony.

Don’t worry; if it’s your first time, Murray has you covered.

“I always view concerts from the point of a view of a first-time concert-goer,” he says. “Inviting someone to participate means making sure they feel welcome. That’s why our program includes a guide to let everyone know how they can participate and what to expect.”

Being welcomed in and made to feel comfortable is an important part of what community art should be about, says Murray.

“The experience should be friendly and approachable. The language should be one everyone can understand, even if the experience is new. Our shows are about fostering relationships with those who join us.”

The Northland Symphony has three primary goals. The first is to provide young people the opportunity to broaden their musical horizons by performing quality music with seasoned performers and community players; in that way, students can see, in a practical and real way, that music can remain an avocation throughout their lives even if it’s not one’s vocation.

The second is to provide quality musical performances to those who otherwise might not have the opportunity or resources to revel in the glories of Bach, Mozart, Haydn, and the like.

The third is to provide elementary students with an opportunity to perform in front of a sizable audience and their families, all the while singing with a quality orchestra.

The Northland Symphony does all of this as a nonprofit organization without paid staff members. It relies on a working Board of Directors, grant funds, volunteers and donations to produce five shows every season. December’s show featured children’s choirs from Bell Prairie Elementary School, Northview Elementary School, Prairie Point Elementary School and Hawthorn Elementary School.  May’s production is the symphony’s annual summer pops concert. Admission is always free.

“Accessibility is always a primary concern,” says Murray. “Not only do we not charge admission, but we make sure there are no other barriers to coming to a performance. We hold events at high schools and locations that are handicapped accessible and have ample parking.”

The Northland Symphony was founded 49 years ago by a group of Northland educators and Kansas City symphony members. Murray has been the Music Director and Conductor for 19 years.

The performers are equally split between professional musicians, community members, and students. The students are primarily college students, but some are high school students. Many of the professional musicians have been with the symphony for ten or more years—many of them much longer.

“It’s a powerful thing to see accountants and IT professionals and lawyers active and participating in community art,” says Murray, speaking of the community members who perform with the symphony. “Sometimes students don’t see a path for their music past high school; they think that they have to give it up if they pursue a vocation outside of the arts. This shows them they can do both and provides an opportunity for young people to broaden their horizons.”

The symphony’s major costs are the productions. This season’s theme, which started last October, is “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” The March 5th show theme, which will be held at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, is South America and Spain. April’s show focuses on Russia, while May’s show is inspired by Space. April and June performances will be held at Park Hill South High School.

“We’re the best kept secret in the Northland,” says Murray. “But we’re working to change that.”

To learn more visit NorthlandSymphony.org.

For almost 40 years, a volunteer group has operated virtually anonymously

Article jennifer Higgins
Photography Lani Odell

The Northland is home to many different volunteer groups. One you might not have heard of is aptly called “The No Names.” The group started with Joe Swartz in 1976, when a small group of guys visited a nursing home in Riverside.  The name of the group was the “no names,” and that name came about because the residents they visited always wanted to know what church they were from, and Swartz would say they did not represent a church and they had no name. The group has grown considerably since in the last 40 years, but has stayed true to the name and the mission.

“We presently go to Maple Wood Care Center, Riverside Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Hillview Nursing and Rehab in Platte City. We have a little over ninety members.  It is a mixture of males and females, and most of our members are over 50 and many are 60+,” member Al Babich says.

Kathie Hopper and her husband have been a member of the group since 1981.

“On our visits, we offer magazines and sugar-free candy to any who want them.  When visiting, we spend about five minutes in each room, and there are usually four to six people visiting at a time.  We are organized in groups for each of the nursing homes, mostly by alphabet.  Typically, we visit each about four to five times a year. We would really like to have younger people join us. The residents really love to see children and pets,” Hopper says.

Volunteering can have a great benefit to those volunteering.

“I feel I benefit most by seeing the happiness on each of the faces of the people we see, especially those who do not have any other visitors.  It makes me thankful that I can brighten someone’s life even if for only a short time. All are welcome who have a heart for lifting the spirits of those not able to get out,” Hopper says.

Babich has a slightly different take on the benefits of volunteering.

“I feel I need to act and think beyond what just ‘benefits’ me.  We can say it is a Christian mantra or a spiritual mantra, but I believe it is what makes us human.  Matthew 25: 40  ‘…whatever you did for one these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Joe Swartz who founded No Names was a very spiritual man and I think people of like beliefs joined No Names because they shared his values of service to his fellow human,” Babich says.

The No Names do not do any advertising but with over 90 members, that doesn’t appear to be holding them back.

“Traditionally our new members have come from solicitations and recommendations of active members.  We pretty much have kept a low profile because we are the ‘No Names’.  Many of our members have come from church memberships or the Rotary or other organizations,” Babich says.

The group is reaching out to hopefully attract new members and to pay tribute to all members who have quietly served this community since 1976.

“I think the bottom line is we go and have fun with the residents.  Sometimes you get a blank stare and no signs of acknowledgement, but I think the fact we acknowledge them as a fellow human is registered somewhere with the residents,” Babich says.

Patriot Outreach Organizations Provides Real Life Coping Strategies

Article Peggy Parolin Photography Lani Odell and Provided

“You saved my family. I was at a loss. Tempers flared; my wife took the kids. Patriot Outreach’s Coping Strategies™ worked. My family is back together, healthier and happier than ever,” proclaimed SSG Joseph Oehring, a Smithville Veteran of the Iraq War.

For Oehring, a full time technical trainer for the National Guard, and more than 70,000 other military personnel, government civilians, battlefield contractors, first responders and their families (Patriots), “Victory Over Stress” has become a mantra.  It is also the mainstay of Patriot Outreach, a  ten-year old non-profit Veteran Group supporting Patriots and their Families. Patriot Outreach promotes Coping Strategies ™ to provide confidential and effective help with anger, stress, pain, combat stress, and even P.T.S.D. to thousands of those that most likely would never ask for help.

Oehring’s testimony is one of thousands the Patriot Outreach Organization receives annually offering gratitude for assistance in transforming lives dominated by stress and frustration into ones focused on the positive, providing an appreciation of “what is” as opposed to focusing on what “could’ve been or should’ve been”.

“The Patriot Outreach program helped me sort out everyday family issues,” explains Oehring.  “I do not have PSTD, but I was stressed out about a lot of everyday life issues. Stress affects everyone in some way: soldiers, spouses of soldiers, pretty much everyone. You can either choose to control the stress or allow it to control you. I chose to control it, for the sake of my family, my self and my career.”

“The Be Still and Know exercise, a core component of Coping Strategies™ provided by Patriot Outreach via a cd is ‘basic training for the mind’,” explains Oehring.  “After listening to the underlying principles and participating in the exercises, I was able to think more clearly and not get so aggravated with things. You have to listen to it yourself to understand why it’s so effective,” pauses Oehring.  “But really, it works.”

“What you learn is that if you only focus on the negative, it can tear your family apart. The Patriot Outreach Coping Strategies ™ taught me to refocus and reframe my thoughts. Instead of dwelling on the past and things I can’t change, I refocus on the positive.  It’s made a difference in how I live my daily life,” reflects Oehring, “and how I contribute to the greater good of myself and others.”

“After I realized how much the Coping Strategy™ CDs helped me,” Oehring shares, “I began taking stacks of them to work. I shared with others how much my family and I benefited from the program.  ‘No pressure, but they’re here if you want them’, I’d say.  They were all gone by the end of the day.”

Chaplain (LTC) Phillip L. Pringle, US Army, a Smithville resident, lauds Patriot Outreach’s Coping Strategies CD as an effective and practical tool that enhances stress management and builds resilience within the mind. The practice of silence and solitude is at the very core of the Be Still and Know Exercise.

“Learning to be still is one of the most needed, yet most difficult spiritual disciplines today. It is a helpful tool that can help military personnel become the resilient leaders we all need to be in the rapidly changing environment in which we live,” says Pringle.

The VP of Patriot Outreach, Colonel Jack Shafferman, is a Parkville Army retiree who deployed three times.  Shafferman also serves as the CFO of Patriot Outreach. “I really wear about 6 hats,” laughs Shafferman. “I’m CFO, VP, Supervising Engineer and more.  I’ve been working with Ret. Col Tony Monaco for the past 25 years. Tony started Patriot Outreach in 2006.  When I retired from the military in 2010, I became a full time volunteer assisting with the organization, and contributing however I can.  It’s definitely a rewarding effort to be a part of.  Our organization has provided assistance free of charge to more than 200,000 Patriots thus far; that includes Armed Forces, Retirees, Veterans, Government Civilians, Battlefield Contractors, First Responders and their Families (Patriots).

“Perhaps one of the things that has helped us help so many is the fact we know soldiers don’t like to talk with others about their problems,” Shafferman concludes. “Our programs offer an effective self-help option for these individuals and their families.  For many, the CDs and self-help are safer, more secure than other types, plus they get the benefit of having accomplished something on their own.”

For more information, visit PatriotOutreach.org.

Article Lisa Allen Photography Lani Odell

Fern Brashear says that everyone who knows her knows her story.

One major part of that story: at 81, she’s one of approximately 4,000 older adults raising grandchildren in the Kansas City area.

She’s already raised two grandchildren, one of whom is now a schoolteacher. Currently, two of her grandsons live with her: Patrick and Stephen, along with Stephen’s wife Camie and their 7-month-old son.

“His name is Stephen Jackson, but we call him Jackson since his daddy’s name is also Stephen,” says Brashear. “He’s such a doll.”

Brashear has found a community of peers and mentors in The Northland Grandfamilies Program, a partnership between Clay County Senior Services, the Platte County Senior Fund and the University of Missouri Extension Center in Clay County.

“Fern illustrates the challenges the grandfamilies face and the many sacrifices they make for their families,” says Program Associate Christine Brunkow.

The program, in existence since 2012, is designed to assist grandparents and other relatives raising children with issues that include legal concerns, financial burdens, and emotional and physical stress. There are currently more than 220 active clients—that number does not include the grandchildren, nieces or nephews that those in the program are raising.

“What I really like is that it’s someplace for me to go to talk to people other than family about what we’re going through,” says Brashear. “We all help each other. We talk and give each other ideas. Everyone is friendly, everyone is helpful, and that’s what we all need so we can learn to cope.”

Clients in the program range in age from mid-thirties to mid-eighties. Each is caring for grandchildren or other relatives because the parents of the children are experiencing issues that might include substance abuse, incarceration, or mental illness. In Missouri, there are more than 125,000 children under the age of 18 living with grandparents or other relatives.

“Often a situation comes about suddenly when a parent can no longer care for a child or is unwilling to assume parental responsibilities,” says Brunkow. “The grandparents in the program form a strong bond with one another and are very willing to assist and support new members, encourage each other and share resources. The strength of the program is the support given and received at the meetings. The grandparents are very caring and compassionate individuals whose first priority are their grandchildren.”

The program offers case management, including referrals to agencies such as Samuel Rodgers Health Center, Love, Inc., In As Much Ministries and the Clay County Clothes Closet.

“Each month I refer approximately 25 individuals to agencies in the community. Resources are provided on clothing, utility assistance, food pantries, counseling, medical services and transportation,” says Brunkow.

There are two support groups: a day program on the second Wednesday of each month at North Cross United Methodist Church and an evening program on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Platte Woods United Methodist Church.  Free childcare is offered at the evening program and the meetings are free and open to any grandparent, aunt or uncle raising children who are 18 and younger.

Those who attend the meetings share their stories and receive support from others in similar circumstances. There are also guest speakers at each meeting; topics range from legal issues like custody, guardianship and adoption to identity theft, risky behaviors of teens and youth, brain health, and nutrition and fitness.

Brashear calls the family she’s cultivated through the program “a private community” and says she’s met both people who understand what she’s going through and people who can help her navigate through specific issues.

“They’re good people who listen, and they’re smart people who give good advice,” she says.

The program also offers an annual conference, which will be held on October 14th at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty. The free event benefits grandparents, aunts and uncles raising relatives or family members 18 and younger and is open to professionals in the community, including clergy, teachers, counselors and other school personnel, and staff from social service and community agencies. Speakers and agencies from the metro area will share resources and information to help those who find themselves in the role of caregiver.

To learn more about the program, meeting locations, and the conference, please call the University of Missouri Extension at 816.407.3490.

New facility adds capacity to aid youth and families.

Article Pete Dulin Photography Lani Odell

The Children’s Center of Synergy Services, a Parkville-based non-profit shelter for women and children, has experienced growing pains for years.

“The Center typically serves 125 children annually, nearly 2,000 children since the program began in 2000,” says Dennis Meier, associate executive director at Synergy.  “Unfortunately, the program turns away more than 300 each year due to limited capacity.”

Synergy’s new 13,500-square-foot Children’s Center, located at 46th St. and NE Antioch Rd., doubles its size and increases capacity. The Center will house up to 16 children per night. Building is scheduled to be completed in August with a planned mid-September grand opening. Built with financial support from the community, the complex will benefit individuals and families in need throughout Kansas City.

Robin Winner, executive director of Synergy, says, “We can help the trajectory of kids’ lives if we can help them overcome trauma early on.”

New Chapter

The new Center was constructed on donated farmland that belonged to a succession of Northland residents.

Jack and Marge Borden, parents of Northlander Joyce Berry, once owned the property. The Borden family had a farmhouse built in 1925 that included a barn, horses, carriage house, garage, plum orchard, and garden on the six-acre property.

“My parents bought the property from a judge,” says Berry. “My father later sold the land to Judge Pratt.”

Former Clay County judge Stephen Pratt donated the land to Synergy in 2008.

Berry’s family annually hosted two orphan children. “A girl named Margie and a boy named Charlie came to stay with us each summer and during Christmas,” says Berry. “My parents went to the Mennonite orphanage in the Argentine neighborhood in Kansas to pick them up.”

Now the property’s history begins a new chapter also tied to the welfare of children.

Healing From Trauma

In 2014 alone, 102,100 children were involved in child abuse or neglect investigations by the Children’s Division of Missouri; an increase of 10% over 2013, according to the Missouri Department of Social Services Annual Report.

Some families and children in crisis lack a safe support system among family and friends. Synergy Services and its Children’s Center provides a refuge, programs, and services to those that face disruption and separation to state custody of children.

“We take self-referrals and referrals from churches, schools, and other groups like Head Start,” says Winner. “We act as a safety valve in the community.”

Often, these individuals cope with poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, intergenerational child abuse or neglect. These experiences are called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in a study by the Center for Disease Control.

“ACE’s cause high levels of toxic stress to anyone’s brain, but particularly to a child’s developing mind,” says Meier. “Attachment, learning, psychosocial development, and emotional regulation is impaired when toxic stress is chronic and becomes overwhelming. The study also links increased risk of heart disease, obesity, addictions, and mental illness later in life when a child has an ACE score of 4 or higher.”

According to Meier, if a child is in a chronic “fight/flight/freeze” state as a result of stress-inducing ACE, normal play and social interaction activity is curtailed. Children are hypervigilant and defensive, so developing an inner sense of trust and safety becomes more difficult.

The Children’s Center engages children and families in therapeutic activities like art and play therapy, parent education, and case management support to access primary, mental, and dental health. Children may stay in the shelter and receive crisis care services while parents regain safe relationships, stable housing, and food security. Staff members focus on building secure attachments to parents and emotional resiliency for each child in an integrative treatment approach.

“When successful, fewer children go into state custody,” says Meier. “More importantly, families will be able to fully heal from trauma and prevent another generation of ACE’s altogether.”

“Providing support for kids and families pays back with positive returns,” adds Winner, referring to health benefits, prevention of additional trauma, and breaking ACE cycles. “We know how to help. We just need the capacity to help.”

Designed by Blackbird Design Studio LLC and built by JE Dunn Construction, the farmhouse was completely renovated. The complex includes bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, playground, and creative art center for art therapy. Additional rooms are designated for counseling, training, reception, and a lounge.

Meier says, “At the Children’s Center, our goal is to create a state of safety and trust that invites children to explore, heal, play, and engage in an environment that builds resiliency.”

For more information, visit SynergyServices.org.

Foundation funds multiple projects
 benefitting their community

Article jennifer Higgins | Photography Provided

Since opening in February of 1974, Liberty Hospital has worked to partner with the community it serves to improve the health, safety and well-being of patrons in the area.  The Liberty Hospital Foundation was started in 1984 to provide financial help to continue these goals.

“The mission of the Liberty Hospital Foundation is to improve the quality of health, wellness, and care in our community. My favorite part of my job is when I can match someone’s passion and generosity with a need at Liberty Hospital or in our community. I get to tell Liberty Public Schools that our donors raised enough money to offer 50 underserved students medical care vouchers this year. Then I’m fortunate to tell those donors the impact they’ve made on those kids, who now get medicine or the treatment they need to be healthy, happy, and productive,” Director of Development for the Liberty Hospital Foundation Midori Carpenter says.

Kyleigh’s Gift is just one of the many programs the Foundation supports. It was started in 2012 after the Weller family’s daughter Kyleigh was stillborn. They came to the Foundation after their loss to create something meaningful in infant wellness education and parental support in the Northland.

“Since it started, the program has partnered closely with the Birthing Center Social Workers to meet a wide range of needs for families. It provides necessities (car seats, pack ‘n plays, diapers) for those who can’t afford them, cafeteria meal vouchers for breastfeeding mothers with babies in our NICU and for families with children in the Pediatric unit. As well, more bereavement and memorial options have been provided for families facing pregnancy and infant loss,” Carpenter says.

Rodger and Leann Weller and their children Oliver, Garrison, and Breanna have continued to honor Kyleigh’s memory by leading these efforts. Over $64,000 has been raised in support of Kyleigh’s Gift to date.  $10 will provide a sleep sack for a baby born at Liberty Hospital, while $5 provides one meal for a struggling parent while at the hospital.

“Our most recent initiative is the Miscarriage Care Package. We have been collecting donations of small items to create individual care packages. These are now available for any women facing miscarriage or pregnancy loss at Liberty Hospital – whether through the Emergency Department, Surgery Center, or OB-GYN office. At a time of loss, they will receive a message of love and support from Kyleigh’s Gift. We’ve collected enough donations to create our first 30 packages and our goal is to complete 50,” Carpenter says.

October 14, 2017 will be the fourth annual Kyleigh’s gift 3K/5K Run Walk, with family fun activities, raffles and awards. All proceeds from the event directly benefit the fund. In 2016, there were 350 registrations and raised $22,000.

Kyleigh’s Gift is not the only program the Foundation is involved in.

“Our Patient Assistance Program offers direct support to patients who are struggling to afford their necessary medications or transport themselves to and from crucial doctor’s visits. Our Student Assistance Program provides free visits for under/uninsured students in Liberty Public Schools, and they receive follow-up medication or treatment at a highly reduced rate. Our Professional Education fund provides scholarships for current hospital employees to attain higher degrees and certifications, as well as high school scholarships for students who wish to pursue a career in nursing. The TreeHouse at Liberty Hospital is a home-away-from-home available to patients and families, with peaceful, comfortable lodging in a home-like setting on the hospital grounds. A donation is suggested for each night someone stays, but no one is ever turned away based on their ability to pay. Many community groups and organizations support the TreeHouse through donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries for families during a Hospital stay,“ Carpenter says.

The Foundation also works directly with the Hospital, including Hospice & Home Health, the Oncology Program, and the Women’s Health Fund that provide support to the staff of those departments to provide high-quality care to their patients.

“Our goal is to play a role in giving everyone in the Liberty Hospital area the ability to lead full, healthy lives. As healthcare continues to change and move beyond the four walls of a Hospital building, our organization will keep looking for innovative ways to reach those who need it most, “Carpenter says.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about Kyleigh’s Gift or the Liberty Hospital Foundation can call 816.792.7014. More information can be found at LibertyHospitalFoundation.org and on Facebook.

In aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Dr. Philippe’s nonprofit Sante Haiti brings medical relief to Haiti’s citizens

Article Pete Dulin | Photography Joel Schneider and Provided

Hurricane Matthew made landfall as a Category 4 storm on southwestern Haiti on the morning of October 4. Force winds, estimated at 74 mph, battered the island nation and its citizens. One month after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, UNICEF reported that nearly 600,000 children remained in need of humanitarian assistance, facing disease, hunger, and malnutrition.

Jonathan Philippe, M.D., a family care practitioner at Mosaic Life Care in Platte City, was born and raised in Haiti. As founder of Sante Haiti, Dr. Philippe did not hesitate to put the meager resources of his healthcare nonprofit to work. Exactly one month after Hurricane Matthew struck, the doctor undertook a four-day medical mission to the beleaguered nation.

“I was the only one traveling from the US. The team members in Haiti were already on the ground to assist. We distributed food and cholera medication because the water was not safe,” says Dr. Philippe. “Cholera was already a problem. We provided rehydration treatment and medicine distribution by working with local church groups. We helped more than 500 families.”

Cholera, an infectious, often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, is typically contracted from infected water supplies and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. Natural disasters such as Hurricane Matthew, or the devastating earthquake that registered 7.0 on the Richter scale in 2010, have led to widespread cholera outbreaks, killing thousands and sickening a few hundred thousand.

By November 23, 2016, the Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization reported that 1.4 million people were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. More than 175,000 people were placed in shelters. Total suspected cholera cases reached nearly 6,300 cases.

Dr. Philippe founded Sante Haiti in 2008 when he was a medical student long before he could practice medicine as a physician. He registered the organization in 2012 as a nonprofit. Even then, Philippe sought to do what he could to improve healthcare for his fellow Haitians.

“Initially, I went to help check blood pressure and provide basic treatment,” says Dr. Philippe. “I wanted to give back.”

In the years since, Haiti’s population has needed ongoing medical assistance as it recovers from calamities and regains a sense of normalcy. Proper resources are needed for daily care and sanitary conditions.

By the end of February 2017, Dr. Philippe had returned to Haiti three times to continue administering aid. In December 2016, his journey focused on food distribution.

“I didn’t want people to worry about food at the end of the year,” says Dr. Philippe. “We distributed rice, spaghetti, cooking oil, soap, detergent, and water treatment.”

Haiti’s medical needs are far more than what one doctor can address. Dr. Philippe’s vision is to not only respond to these needs during a crisis but to also provide fundamental healthcare that improves the daily lives of Haiti’s people.

Today, Sante Haiti consists of seven staff members in the United States that primarily raise funds and coordinate trips. Five other team members in Haiti work in the field. Sante Haiti depends on OB/GYNs, surgeons, dieticians, and others to volunteer their time and services toward providing comprehensive care on medical missions.

Dr. Philippe’s most recent trip in February included a contingent of professionals from the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

“I was a consultant to help train doctors and teach residents,” says Dr. Philippe. “I met with officials including a representative from the Minister of Health and deans from medical schools to promote comprehensive care and family medicine.”

Access to healthcare remains limited, especially in Haiti’s rural areas. Citizens do not receive frequent care simply because not enough clinics and resources exist.

“When we started the program, I would go once a year. After we were done, what then? Most people had to wait until the next year,” says Dr. Philippe.

Now, three nurses do basic checkups for hypertension and diabetes every two weeks. Dr. Philippe says, “We pay local physicians directly to provide continuity of care.”

Still, this tactical healthcare approach is overshadowed by the mountain of need among the country’s populace. Sante Haiti’s goal is to build a clinic and regularly serve patients at a dedicated location.

Since 2008, Sante Haiti’s operations have been underwritten by personal funds, organizational funds, and fundraising. Dr. Philippe even used a portion of his school loans as a medical student to fund the nonprofit.

“It’s a calling,” says Dr. Philippe, who plans to return for another medical aid trip in late May 2017. “At this moment, our primary need is financial. For this trip in May, we need $10,000 to buy medications and supplies. By early 2018, we need more money to build a clinic in the rural area Jean Rabel in the northwestern part of Haiti. It will be expensive because we have to bring supplies from the capital of Haiti to rural areas on unpaved roads.”

Dr. Philippe, who has completed similar medical missions in the Dominican Republic and Malawi, Africa, remains focused on improving long-term healthcare in Haiti.

“In two to three years, I want to have a clinic in place in northwest Haiti,” says Dr. Philippe. “I want to build a hospital in 10 years that is run by Haitians to empower them. We will need doctors to staff positions with proper training. Outside organizations bring their fancy equipment, provide aid, and then take it home. We will use what’s available in our country.”

Meanwhile, Sante Haiti continues to seek medical volunteers to provide services and train Haitians on family care services as well as much-needed funding to improve and save lives. For more information or to donate, visit SanteHaiti.org.