By Paul Thompson
Northeast News
November 23, 2016
KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Bessie’s House is eyeing a new home, off 9th and Van Brunt in the Historic Northeast.
The faith-based non-profit organization was located off of Independence Avenue at 611 Brighton for the better part of a decade, though the residence was never properly zoned to provide the types of services – bible studies, hot showers, light meals, outreach ministries, and even a standing offer to launder the clothes of the most needy individuals in the community – that the organization became known for over its first eight years of existence.
The zoning issue came to a head in June of 2016, when Bessie’s House received a letter from the city asking the organization to bring the property up to code, or cease operating at the only location it had ever known. In addition to the citation from the city, the board behind Bessie’s House acknowledged that they had also received anonymous complaints from area neighborhoods about the large crowds that would congregate in and around the residence. According to the board, the summer citation was the impetus they needed to implement a long-gestating expansion plan.
“We took that as a sign that we had waited too long to move,” said Bessie’s House Board President Beth Petry. “That was kind of our kick in the seat. We were dragging our feet a little bit to do that.”
Originally, the city had requested that Bessie’s House cease operations at 611 Brighton within a month, but the organization negotiated to remain open until October 25, 2016. By then, the organization had already pinpointed a potential new location – a vacant property owned by the Land Bank near two bus lines at 9th and Van Brunt.
Although Bessie’s House is still working on obtaining the property, they’ve been given special permission to access the lot in order to conduct clean-up efforts ahead of the purchase. Bessie’s House Vice President Fred Green described the condition of the lot before the organization stepped in.
“It was terribly overgrown; you can’t imagine what we pulled out of there,” said Green. “Needles, whiskey bottles, beer cans, broken glass, all sorts of paper and plastic trash, tires, refuse of all sorts, and there was one area in the bushes which had clearly been used for a latrine. It was right there by the bus stop, and people would drop their trash. Man, it stunk in there.”
Already the vacant lot has seen a notable improvement, given the clean-up efforts and regular mowing. Moving forward, the stakeholders behind Bessie’s House envision constructing a 5,000 square-foot steel structure that would become the organization’s new headquarters. The lot would also include roughly 25 parking spaces and a small lawn, where a potential orchard could be planted. The facility itself would include a welcoming area, a conference room, a warming kitchen, and a fellowship hall.
Petry and Green emphasized, though, that Bessie’s House has learned from the mistakes of the past. The board members insisted that they would not be running a food pantry out of the new location, nor would the organization be housing any clients at the new facility.
“We’re not going to keep any large amounts of food,” said Green. “There will be nobody sleeping there, unless we end up having to hire a security guard.”
Green also noted that long-term, the organization would like to provide English-speaking courses, basic literacy training, life skills training, and education classes designed to teach people to use a checkbook and balance a budget.
“We want to spread the gospel, not in any forced way, but by demonstrating that Jesus’s followers are decent folks, and that having that understanding and that grounding can lead to a better life,” said Green.
Still, both Green and Petry acknowledged that they would have to do a better job of ingratiating themselves with the community at a new location. As of now, the organization has little to no relationship with the surrounding community, including the Lykins Neighborhood Association. To that end, Green has already offered to present the organization’s plans at an upcoming neighborhood association meeting.
“Early on we talked to the folks, and we need to now,” said Green. “We can certainly send representatives to their regular meeting; we’d be overjoyed to do that.”
As it stands now, the community maintains a certain apprehension about the prospective tenant at 9th and Van Brunt. At least one neighbor reached out to the Northeast News expressing concern about the potential proximity between Bessie’s House and the popular soccer fields across the street. Meanwhile, business owners who would share a block with the organization have expressed their own concerns. Dennis Hammontree from H & H Plumbing said he’s neutral on the move, though he gets the issues.
“I don’t know if people understand how many homeless people we have in the Northeast, but it’s a lot,” said Hammontree. “Some of them are fine, but others are desperate. When you get a lot of them in the area, there’s a chance that there could be some pilfering.”
Graciela Cabrera of Jose Fiesta Rentals said that she’d like to ensure that there isn’t a food pantry or a “clothing free-for-all” at the new location, and said that she’d be interested in attending a neighborhood meeting if Bessie’s House organized one to communicate their plans to area residents. Cabrera went on to recognize the importance of the services offered by Bessie’s House.
“A hot shower and clean clothes make a big difference. I think if their follow-up actions do follow their goals and their mission, and they really do carry out what they say they’re going to do, then that’s fine,” said Cabrera. “But if they want to continue just as they were operating before, and aren’t really addressing the need after the doors close, that’s my biggest concern.”
Ultimately, Cabrera wants to make sure that Bessie’s House is prepared for the responsibility of expanding their services in the Northeast.
“This will be a bigger venture, and I just want to make sure that they’re ready for the responsibility of that venture,” she said.
Bessie’s House will take their next step towards a new facility on December 8, when they meet with City Planning officials to discuss their plans for the site. In the meantime, the organization will continue to offer services at its temporary location – the Rock Family Church at 934 Norton. To find out more about the services offered by Bessie’s House, visit bessieshouse.org.