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Amethyst Place Preventing Multi-Generational Substance Use
Amethyst Place is a safe haven where mothers recovering from substance use can rebuild their lives and families. Through a holistic model that includes supportive housing, therapeutic care, and empowerment programs, Amethyst Place helps families break free from cycles of poverty, trauma, and addiction. At its core, the program offers not only stability—but hope, healing, and long-term transformation. At the center of Amethyst Place is the Supportive Housing Program, which provides 37 fully furnished apartments in a vibrant, close-knit community. Families are given a stable home for as long as they need, along with access to basic essentials like food, clothing, and household items. In 2023, Amethyst Place supported 163 women and children in reclaiming their lives through the safety and security of stable housing. Kansas City faces a severe housing shortage, with more than 64,000 units of affordable housing needed for low-income renters.
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Calvary Community Teen Safe Spaces & Outreach
Kansas City faces significant challenges related to violence, impacting its youth. The urban core experiences high levels of violence and homicides, which contribute to serious health disparities and reduce life expectancy. This ongoing violence creates an environment of trauma, limiting safe spaces for youth to socialize and grow, and posing a critical public health and equity issue. The Calvary Community Outreach Network (CCON) has developed a comprehensive Teen Safe Spaces and Outreach Program designed to provide safe, supportive environments for at-risk youth. The program partners with local churches to establish Safe Spaces during non-school hours. These spaces offer mental health interventions, socio-emotional learning opportunities, and positive peer engagement in neighborhoods that otherwise have limited resources. The program aims to reduce youth exposure to violence, improve mental wellness, and empower teens with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate challenges.
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Child Abuse Prevention Association
The Children’s Advocacy and Parenting Assistance (CAPA) organization operates vital programs in two full-service facilities located within high-risk areas identified by the COMBAT hotspot map—one in Independence at Hocker Avenue and 23rd Street, and another in eastern Kansas City near the Raytown hotspot. CAPA’s presence in these communities places it at the frontline of addressing child maltreatment and family trauma. CAPA is widely recognized for its clinical services, home visiting programs, and community education efforts that specialize in trauma-focused care for children and families. These programs empower families to break free from generational cycles of abuse, neglect, and violence by providing evidence-based treatments that foster resilience and hope. CAPA utilizes research-backed models that have been proven effective in helping children and caregivers transition from trauma toward healing and improved well-being.
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Child Protection Center
The mission of the Child Protection Center (CPC) is to build a healthier community by leading the response to the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and violence. The CPC accomplishes its mission by providing forensic interviews, family advocacy and mental health services to children 3 to 17 living in Jackson County, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse, or who have witnessed violent crimes. CPC also conducts interviews with the children's non-offending caregivers. The CPC ensures children who are victims of child abuse or witness to violent crimes are properly identified, that their statements are made through forensic interviews, and that they are ensured access to all necessary mental health treatments and social supports as soon as possible.
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Citizens of the World: Building Conflict Resolution Skills
Citizens of the World – Kansas City is dedicated to supporting students from pre-K through eighth grade by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge for success both inside and outside the classroom. A key focus of this program is to teach students how to mediate conflicts using peaceful, nonviolent strategies. Through this work, the school fosters a safe and supportive learning environment where young people can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The 2023-2024 behavior data from Citizens of the World reveals a troubling trend: students were involved in 235 reported acts of aggression. These incidents include bullying and harassment, physical fights between students, and aggression directed toward both peers and adults. Such behavior reflects a broader challenge faced by the school community. Many students at Citizens live in a neighborhood identified as a violent crime hotspot. This environment exposes them to trauma and frequent experiences of violence.
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Community Assistance Council "Next Steps"
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. 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. The population served by CAC is predominantly low-income and underserved.
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Community LINC
Community LINC in Kansas City offers housing access and support to homeless families through emergency rent and utility assistance, along with interim furnished apartments and self-sufficiency programs. They address a significant local need, with over 1,300 homeless households daily, predominantly headed by single parents and including many children. The program aims to counteract the detrimental effects of homelessness on children's health and education, exacerbated by rising rents and a lack of affordable housing in the region.
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Community Services League Wellness & Resiliency
Community Support Link (CSL) is committed to partnering with neighbors by working collaboratively to promote community stability and individual wellbeing. Central to CSL’s approach is the understanding that effective support begins by meeting people where they are—recognizing the challenges they face and tailoring assistance accordingly. CSL serves primarily impoverished individuals and families, many of whom have experienced trauma. Research in brain science shows that trauma can deeply impact how people process life, often keeping them in what is known as the “Survival Brain” mode rather than the “Thinking Brain” mode. This neurological state results from past or ongoing trauma—whether individual, community-wide, or generational—which can make adapting to life’s challenges significantly more difficult.
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EarlystART 2023 Prevention Program
EarlystART is Kansas City’s premier arts-infused early childhood education provider, offering high-quality learning experiences for children ages six weeks to five years old. With a mission to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond, EarlystART integrates the arts into every aspect of its programming—fostering curiosity, confidence, and creativity from the very start. More than just a preschool, EarlystART is a comprehensive child and family support system. The organization delivers a well-rounded early education experience that includes academics, arts, nutrition, health services, mental health and disabilities support, and parent engagement. The goal is simple yet powerful: to ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, regardless of zip code or income level.
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Footprints – Prevention
Footprints offers a comprehensive Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) designed to support individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. The program combines structured classes, therapy groups, and personalized care to foster lasting recovery. Key services include recovery coaching, relapse counseling, case management, drug testing, and participation in 12-step meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous. Participants also engage in group and individual therapy, peer support, and receive referrals to additional community resources as needed. Mental illness affects one in five adults nationwide, with rates significantly higher among incarcerated populations, where nearly 37% experience diagnosable mental health conditions. Trauma is common, with 75% of incarcerated adults reporting a history of trauma and over half experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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Girl Scouts Outreach Program
Over 27% of the girls served by Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas & Northwest Missouri (GSKSMO) live in low or moderately low-income households. As the number of girls living in poverty continues to rise, GSKSMO has adapted its programs to address barriers that prevent many girls and their families from fully participating in Girl Scouts. Through a range of supports—from financial assistance for membership dues and supplies to troop leadership by trained staff, volunteers, and teachers—GSKSMO strives to make Girl Scouts accessible and impactful for all girls, especially those from underserved communities. Girl Scouts provides exactly a safe, nurturing and structured environment where girls can connect with peers who share similar experiences and feelings. This sense of belonging and peer support is essential to helping girls manage emotional challenges and grow stronger mentally and socially.
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Ivanhoe Safety & Resilience Initiative
Ivanhoe is committed to creating a safer, thriving neighborhood by partnering with community-based organizations, small businesses, and local stakeholders to provide vital resources and support. Serving the Ivanhoe community and its neighboring areas, Ivanhoe addresses critical gaps in social and city-wide services to promote social cohesion, foster healthy lifestyles, and improve key social determinants of health—especially those factors that contribute to violence. At the heart of Ivanhoe’s efforts is the “Healing While We Grow” program, a comprehensive violence prevention initiative focused on tackling the root causes of violence in the community. These root causes, often called social determinants of health, include physical and mental health challenges, food insecurity, lack of educational opportunities, and social isolation. By addressing these underlying issues, Ivanhoe seeks to reduce risk factors that lead to criminal and violent behavior among youth and adults.
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Jackson County CASA
Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is dedicated to ensuring children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a strong, compassionate voice in Family Court. CASA’s mission centers on two critical goals: first, to secure safe and permanent homes for these vulnerable children, and second, to advocate for their access to medical, educational and therapeutic resources throughout their time under court jurisdiction. Currently serving about 50% of all children in care, Jackson County CASA is committed to expanding its reach to serve 100% of children in court custody. This scaling up reflects a vital response to the increasing number of children affected by abuse, neglect, and parental substance use in Jackson County. In 2023 alone, Family Court served over 2,000 children facing these challenges, with more than half of those cases involving parents struggling with substance use disorders. Each child supported by CASA benefits from a personalized team of advocates.
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KC Municipal Court Truancy Intervention
The Truancy Intervention Program works closely with the Kansas City Municipal Court to provide case management and outreach services to children and families involved in Truancy Court. Directed by the presiding judge, this program aims to identify and address the root causes of truancy among children ages 7 to 17, helping them overcome barriers to regular school attendance. Ultimately, the goal is to improve both school attendance and academic performance through coordinated support and community referrals. Each year, approximately 300 students appear in Kansas City’s Truancy Court due to challenges attending school consistently. While truancy is often seen as a disciplinary issue, the program recognizes that underlying factors frequently contribute to these attendance problems. These can include bullying, exposure to gang activity, difficult family situations, mental health concerns, and substance use.
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KC Housing Auth. Pemberton Park For Grandfamilies
Pemberton Park for Grandfamilies addresses a pressing and multifaceted problem faced by a vulnerable community: elderly grandparents raising their grandchildren under difficult circumstances. This program offers a unique housing environment designed to meet the needs of both aging adults and the young people in their care, creating a supportive community where families can thrive despite the challenges they face. One of the key issues confronting residents of Pemberton Park is housing. Many elderly residents live on fixed incomes in public housing, raising grandchildren who have experienced severe trauma. Traditional housing options present significant barriers: the Housing Authority’s senior housing developments do not permit children to live in these units, while family low-income public housing developments often fail to support elderly residents aging in place. Pemberton Park offers an environment that accommodates both the elderly-disabled population and their grandchildren.
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Reconciliation Services REVEAL
Reconciliation Services (RS) delivers comprehensive, strength-building assistance through its REVEAL Social and Mental Health Services Program. This program offers a wide range of vital services aimed at individuals and families affected by poverty, trauma, violence, and behavioral and mental health challenges in Jackson County, Missouri’s most disinvested urban neighborhoods. RS’s holistic approach includes ID-document assistance, comprehensive housing support and counseling, intensive case management, evidence-based trauma therapy, medical and dental supplies through Access KC, food assistance via Thelma’s Kitchen, trauma-informed workforce development, and economic mobility initiatives. These services are designed to foster resilience, promote healing, and support long-term stability for vulnerable populations. RS serves clients across the metropolitan area but prioritizes neighborhoods east of Troost—areas with the highest concentrations of poverty, violence, and trauma.
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True Light Family: Women's Safe Shelter
True Light Ministries provides a lifeline for women experiencing homelessness. Through its women-only day shelter and emergency overnight shelter, True Light offers safety, dignity and the essential services needed to support women on their path to stability. Unlike many shelters that require a diagnosis of substance use disorder or serve both men and women, True Light is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of women—regardless of their addiction status—who are often overlooked by traditional housing programs. Women experiencing homelessness face a heightened risk of violence, trauma and exploitation. Many have already endured domestic violence, and for some, fleeing abuse is the very reason they became homeless. True Light responds to these realities with a trauma-informed, barrier-free model that prioritizes safety, respect, and support.
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WeCode KC
WeCode KC is addressing a critical challenge: the persistent lack of diversity in the technology sector. Despite rapid growth in the tech industry, opportunities for Black and Brown individuals remain limited due to longstanding economic and educational disparities. WeCode KC is working to change that narrative—empowering youth from underserved communities with the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in high-demand technology careers. WeCode KC was founded with direct input from the communities it serves. Community surveys and assessments conducted by the organization revealed that 70% of participants come from households earning below the poverty line. WeCode KC exists to bridge the opportunity gap by providing youth from Black and Brown communities with free or low-cost access to high-quality, hands-on technology education. By removing financial and systemic barriers, WeCode KC is helping to diversify Kansas City’s tech workforce while lifting families out of poverty.
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Violence Prevention Programs