On Tuesday, April 1 almost 100 major donors gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Christian Life Program (CLP) facility. Men have been sleeping in the mission’s newest facility since Thursday, March 20th.  The public is invited to come for tours of the new facility, and to celebrate with City Union Mission, on Tuesday, May 13th from 3 PM to 6 PM.

If you would like to hear what a staff member thinks about the new facility, please click here and scroll down.  And to view a gallery of photos taken that day, please click here.

Dan Doty, Executive Director, said, “It was a wonderful day, and so meaningful for us to be able to share this tremendous milestone for us and for Kansas City.  Our mission of rescuing, restoring and reaching out to the lost and hurting, wouldn’t be possible without our caring community.  We’re so grateful to all who’ve made this possible.”

Please, click here for more information about the Christian Life Program.  To view more photos of the Christian Life Program facility, please click here.

Lorraine Minor, Associate Executive Director of Programs and Administration had this to say, “In 2003 we began to see the numbers of homeless men increasing at an alarming rate…25% a year.  At that time we looked at every possible alternative to meet the growing needs in a building that was already too small.  We simply had to find more provision for the homeless in our city and for the growing numbers asking to be in our long-term recovery program.  Our staff was heart broken that we could only accommodate 50 men and were having to turn away men each week.  In 2005 we came to the conclusion that we would have to build.”

The building of the new facility is part of the Capital Campaign, “Rebuilding Walls That Rebuild Lives,” which began in 2006.  The project includes this new 30,000 sq-ft-facility, renovations to the Mission’s existing men’s shelter doubling capacity there to 300, and necessary renovations to the agency’s Family Center and Camp CUMCITO, located in Warsaw, MO. It is only the second time in 84 years City Union Mission has asked the community for capital funding. 

To find out more about City Union Mission's programs, please click here.

“With the opening of this newest building we can accommodate 100 men in our 12 to 14 month long recovery program.  The very week we moved the men in our program to the new facility 310 men sought services through our emergency shelter, which has only 190 beds.  Our call for services continues to be 20-25% ahead of 2007.  This does make us more anxious to complete the renovations on the third floor of our emergency shelter.  When completed the mission will have doubled capacity and will have 300 emergency beds,” Doty explained.

Funding for the Capital Campaign has included gifts from corporations, private foundations, and individuals.  “The good news is that the funds needed to build the new facility have been raised.  However, there is still $2.8 million to be raised to complete those critical renovations to the men’s emergency shelter and the camp.  There are creative ways, including non-cash, for people to donate.  It’s a great surprise for those who want to partner with us but don’t think they can, “ said Dennis Chapman, Associate Executive Director of Development.  To find out about giving options, or to arrange a gift, please contact Dennis Chapman at (816) 329-1476 or just click here.