For many individuals, it’s just the beginning of another day of struggle
For others, the recently disabled or unemployed, it is a new way of life as they learn how to navigate a system they never thought they’d need. Their average annual income of $3,000 to $9,600 is immediately consumed with the basic needs of survival for themselves and their families…shelter, utilities and food. Many of the Center’s clients are the “working poor” who live so close to the edge of poverty that a minor obstacle such as a car breakdown can lead to a downward financial spiral that’s impossible to reverse. They are trapped in a cycle of dead-end jobs without benefits or opportunities for advancement, and every day is a struggle to simply survive. Without assistance, they will be facing eviction, utility shut-offs and worsening medical conditions. They will fall behind with little hope of catching up.
“Poverty is the worst form of violence“ Gandhi
Our Mission
The mission of Redemptorist Social Services Center is to prevent a temporary crisis from becoming a permanent tragedy. The Center’s programs of assistance stabilize individuals, families and neighborhoods with long-term results benefiting the entire community.
Redemptorist Social Services Center, a nonsectarian, 501(c)3 non-profit agency, has provided a lifeline to the poor and elderly of metropolitan Kansas City since 1986. Our comprehensive programs of Emergency Client Assistance, Senior Services, Legal Assistance and Health Maintenance meet the basic needs of individuals facing chronic poverty; the working poor; the elderly; the homebound and the homeless; the long term and the newly unemployed. They address their most basic needs by providing critical assists with shelter, utility and medical payments; food and clothing; ATA public transportation; education and work related needs. The staff of Redemptorist Center offers a combined total of over 50 years experience dedicated to making a substantial difference in the lives of people ion crisis.
Our mission involves:
1) Helping to assure the immediate survival of the low income and aging populations in metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri.
2) Helping to prevent people in our community from becoming or staying homeless.
3) Ministering to the physical, social and economic needs of the elderly.
4) Seeking long range solutions to the problems of hunger and poverty.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Center provides assistance for 8 of the top 10 most requested needs as reported by United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral Line for people in need. The Center is their 2nd most referred agency.
The Center is the only agencyproviding multiple client assists to 31 Kansas City zip codes from a single site.
Legal: The Center partners with a group of attorneys who provide free legal counsel to all clients of the Center.
Volunteers: 175 volunteers assist the Center on a regular monthly basis averaging 562 ½ hours each month. We couldn’t open our doors without them!
Transportation: The Center is the only agency providing both the one-ride bus tokens at half price and the reduced fare 31 day bus pass.
Food: The Center is the only agencyproviding bi-monthly food assistance that includes fresh produce and fresh meat/poultry. This is critical with so many individuals unemployed. Many children don’t get the free meal program when schools are closed during the summer and holidays adding to the parents’ financial burden of needing to provide additional food.
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