Since 1976, the Community Assistance Council (CAC) has been a vital resource for low-income families in South Kansas City, providing essential services that promote health, stability, and self-sufficiency. Serving approximately 80,000 residents in the Hickman Mills, Center, and Kansas City portions of the Grandview School Districts, CAC offers emergency rent and utility assistance to prevent homelessness, food distribution to combat food insecurity, diapers and hygiene products, and “next steps” case management designed to help families overcome challenges and build stronger futures.

Meeting Critical Needs In A High-Need Community

CAC operates in a part of the metro area marked by significant economic and social challenges. Many neighborhoods within its service area display classic signs of urban distress: high poverty rates, frequent school and family mobility, rising eviction rates, and limited access to healthcare. Most residents rent their homes, with the majority spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs. At the same time, public transportation and social services are scarce compared to other parts of Kansas City, creating barriers for families trying to access support.

The population served by CAC is predominantly low-income and underserved. Approximately 80% of CAC’s clients are single mothers heading their households, and 78% identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Nearly all—94%—fall under HUD’s definition of extremely low income, with annual earnings near $26,000 for a family of four. The typical client is a Black single mother of three children, living in one of five ZIP codes—64131, 64132, 64134, 64137, or 64138—that experience high concentrations of poverty and historic marginalization.

Challenges Facing Families

Families served by CAC face a range of serious challenges. Many live in neighborhoods plagued by crime and violence, which impacts mental health and limits children’s opportunities for safe outdoor play. In focus groups, single mothers shared that fears about safety often prevent their children from going to parks or playing outside, increasing social isolation and stress.

South Kansas City has four of the city’s ten apartment complexes with the highest eviction rates, and the local school district serves nearly 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This district also experiences the state’s highest student mobility rate, a factor that negatively affects academic outcomes. Students who are highly mobile or homeless are at a much greater risk of grade repetition, chronic absenteeism, and lower graduation rates.

Data highlights these challenges:

• In the 2022-23 school year, most elementary students in CAC’s target ZIP codes scored below basic levels in English Language Arts and mathematics.
• These ZIP codes accounted for 14% of all crimes in Kansas City’s last quarter of 2023, with even higher shares for assault, breaking and entering, and homicide.
• Children growing up in these areas are five times more likely to be incarcerated compared to metro and national averages.
• Distress scores based on social and economic measures average 80 out of 100 for these communities, indicating deep systemic challenges.

Holistic Support For Families

CAC’s approach recognizes that meeting immediate needs like food and housing is only one part of supporting families toward long-term stability. The program’s “next steps” case management works with families to address underlying issues, connect them to additional services, and provide guidance that promotes health and resilience.

Research supports this holistic approach. A 2021 brain imaging study highlighted how growing up in disadvantaged neighborhoods impacts children’s brain development but also found that positive home and school environments can offset some of these effects. CAC strives to provide such supportive environments by ensuring families receive consistent resources, positive feedback, and opportunities for growth.

Community Impact & Vision

As the hub of critical services in a high-need area, CAC plays a crucial role in reducing food insecurity, preventing homelessness, and promoting health for thousands of families. By stabilizing housing and providing access to essential resources, the program enables children to attend school more regularly and focus on learning.

CAC’s work helps break the cycle of poverty and trauma by empowering families with the tools and support they need to thrive. The organization continues to adapt and grow to meet the evolving needs of its community, advocating for more equitable access to services in South Kansas City.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.