2021-2022 Signature Mission
Artists Helping the Homeless
The Mission Committee selected Artists Helping the Homeless (AHH) Johnson County Respite House for the 2021-2022 Signature Mission.
Founded in 2008, AHH targets homeless young adults males whose behavior has alienated them from families and often the very agencies that could help them. A staff of 17 address individual and systemic challenges with gap assistance such as transportation, ID’s and medication, discharge planning and residential recovery through a respite house.
Currently, AHH has a respite house called Bodhi House in KCMO and Lawrence and accountable living apartments called Finnegan Place in KCMO. AHH is in the process of adding a Finnegan Place in Douglas County. The funding from Village will be used to renovate and start a respite house in Johnson County.
Founded in 2008, AHH targets homeless young adults males whose behavior has alienated them from families and often the very agencies that could help them. A staff of 17 address individual and systemic challenges with gap assistance such as transportation, ID’s and medication, discharge planning and residential recovery through a respite house.
Currently, AHH has a respite house called Bodhi House in KCMO and Lawrence and accountable living apartments called Finnegan Place in KCMO. AHH is in the process of adding a Finnegan Place in Douglas County. The funding from Village will be used to renovate and start a respite house in Johnson County.
Concord House, AHH’s new recovery home in Johnson County, targets young adult males whose substance use led to behavior that alienated them from families and the very agencies that could help them. Most lack housing and resources needed to navigate the labyrinth of agencies to address the multiple challenges they face. Concord provides a clean and sober environment with a diverse menu of wrap-around services tailored to the individual. It will house up to eight men who work, attend school or are from Johnson County.
Village Church made this possible with funding to refresh the interior of the donated house. When new, the house was home to the donor’s family as they started a new life in the U.S. With the support of Village Church, that tradition is carried forward as young men who have made decisions they now regret hit the “reset button” and start new lives.
— Kar Woo, founder, Artists Helping the Homeless
The respite house concept was developed to bridge the 4-8 week gap between detox and inpatient treatment. A return to the street often meant the $3,000-$5,000 cost for detox was lost along with the person’s sense they could make a change. At the respite house, they can continue to progress while waiting to be admitted to another service. AHH respite facilities provide residents a place to clear their minds and make plans and address recovery and multiple co-existing conditions. Shelter, food and basic needs are provided free of cost. Monitored 24/7 by AHH staff, many of whom have been clients, the houses offer a clean/sober environment with peer support. A holistic approach gives residents access to the full menu of services provided by AHH and collaborating agencies which include job training, education, legal, substance use, physical/mental health and dental services. Residents are expected to attend AA/NA meetings, group counseling/coping skills sessions and community service activities. They may also participate in physical fitness and social reintegration activities. The Artists Helping the Homeless concept has proven particularly effective with alienated young adult males. Bodhi House historically posts a progress rate near or exceeding 90%.
The new Johnson County location’s capacity of eight residents will enable it to serve 25-50 people annually, depending on scope and length of service warranted. This site will fill a gap and allow individuals who must stay in the county due to restrictions imposed by legal or other service agencies. It will also facilitate services by case managers and other professionals from these agencies.
With $60,000 from Village Church Endowment and the Mission operating budget along with donations from local government, Kansas City foundations and individual donations, Artists Helping the Homeless hopes to open its Johnson County Respite House in the first or second quarter of 2022. Furthermore, several volunteer opportunities exist if you wish to get more involved. Call 816-668-1007 or email [email protected].
To learn more about AHH, watch the Executive Director and Founder Kar Woo’s Ted Talk.
The new Johnson County location’s capacity of eight residents will enable it to serve 25-50 people annually, depending on scope and length of service warranted. This site will fill a gap and allow individuals who must stay in the county due to restrictions imposed by legal or other service agencies. It will also facilitate services by case managers and other professionals from these agencies.
With $60,000 from Village Church Endowment and the Mission operating budget along with donations from local government, Kansas City foundations and individual donations, Artists Helping the Homeless hopes to open its Johnson County Respite House in the first or second quarter of 2022. Furthermore, several volunteer opportunities exist if you wish to get more involved. Call 816-668-1007 or email [email protected].
To learn more about AHH, watch the Executive Director and Founder Kar Woo’s Ted Talk.