2023/2024 Signature Missions
This is the first time in 14 years of Signature Mission history that Village has elected to support a partnership between two organizations instead of a single entity. The Mission Committee embraces the partnership as a living example of the Matthew 25 vision that Village has adopted through the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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Cherith Brook Catholic Worker &
Care Beyond the Boulevard
Cherith Brook Catholic Worker is a residential Christian community of hospitality, faith and activism welcoming and advocating for those marginalized due to houselessness, systemic poverty and racism. They offer many services to guests including hot showers, healthy meals, clothing, toiletries, laundry, groceries, haircuts, ID vouchers and more. They are an active part of the Catholic Worker Movement founded by Dorothy Day.
Care Beyond the Boulevard provides high-quality medical and mental health care to those experiencing homelessness and other underserved populations of Kansas City outside the bounds of traditional health care settings. In doing so, they have become a force for health care equality and social change.
Together, they share a storefront space in the Historic Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, that needs renovation. Additionally, Care Beyond the Boulevard is purchasing a new mobile clinic that will increase the number of people they are able to serve in the community. The $80,000 Signature Mission grant will support much-needed improvements to the storefront, café space and medical clinic and will contribute to the purchase of a new mobile clinic. Care Beyond the Boulevard founder Jaynell “KK” Assmann and Cherith Brook founder Rev. Eric Garbison celebrate and embrace this opportunity to partner with Village Church. They share the same vision for the grant: “With the improved space, we hope to deepen our relationship, grow our commitment to the community we serve, and call forth more leadership among those directly impacted by poverty.”
What makes this partnership unique is their distinct approach to the Matthew 25 initiative through their commitment to dismantling racism, eradicating poverty and building community. Becky Anderson, the Signature Mission Subcommittee chair, stated, “When we visited (each organization), we felt we were seeing the Matthew 25 parable as Christ intended. They graciously open their doors to those who are hungry, thirsty, sick or in need of a friend.”
Care Beyond the Boulevard provides high-quality medical and mental health care to those experiencing homelessness and other underserved populations of Kansas City outside the bounds of traditional health care settings. In doing so, they have become a force for health care equality and social change.
Together, they share a storefront space in the Historic Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, that needs renovation. Additionally, Care Beyond the Boulevard is purchasing a new mobile clinic that will increase the number of people they are able to serve in the community. The $80,000 Signature Mission grant will support much-needed improvements to the storefront, café space and medical clinic and will contribute to the purchase of a new mobile clinic. Care Beyond the Boulevard founder Jaynell “KK” Assmann and Cherith Brook founder Rev. Eric Garbison celebrate and embrace this opportunity to partner with Village Church. They share the same vision for the grant: “With the improved space, we hope to deepen our relationship, grow our commitment to the community we serve, and call forth more leadership among those directly impacted by poverty.”
What makes this partnership unique is their distinct approach to the Matthew 25 initiative through their commitment to dismantling racism, eradicating poverty and building community. Becky Anderson, the Signature Mission Subcommittee chair, stated, “When we visited (each organization), we felt we were seeing the Matthew 25 parable as Christ intended. They graciously open their doors to those who are hungry, thirsty, sick or in need of a friend.”
What is Signature Mission? This fund, which is generally combined with the Mission Legacy Funds from Endowment, provides the monies for a larger than customary gift from Village Church to a community nonprofit. These funds may help start new programs, expand infrastructure and/or serve new clientele. In general, Signature Mission provides funds to help a local organization grow. It offers an authentic opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ through service work and an identifiable place to grow in relationship with God.
Every year, the Village Church Mission Committee invites selected nonprofit organizations to apply for this grant. The Mission Committee reviews each application and tours the applicant organizations as a part of the decision-making process. The recipient is announced in the fall during a Sunday services. During the succeeding year, Village Church continues to follow the program’s progress and highlight the recipient through various electronic and print publications.
In recent years, Signature Mission grants have been awarded to the following programs:
Every year, the Village Church Mission Committee invites selected nonprofit organizations to apply for this grant. The Mission Committee reviews each application and tours the applicant organizations as a part of the decision-making process. The recipient is announced in the fall during a Sunday services. During the succeeding year, Village Church continues to follow the program’s progress and highlight the recipient through various electronic and print publications.
In recent years, Signature Mission grants have been awarded to the following programs:
- Literacy KC Entry to English and High School Equivalency Program Expansion, 2020-2021
- Artists Helping the Homeless Johnson County Respite House, 2021-2022
- Reconciliation Services Therapy and Case Management Expansion, 2022-2023
- Cherith Brook Catholic Worker & Care Beyond the Boulevard, 2023-2024
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