Dorri Partain
Managing Editor

The celebration for Healing House KC’s new Family Enrichment Center (4600 St. John Avenue), spilled out into the street on Friday, Feb. 13 as wellwishers, staff and government officials gathered at the entrance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Counseling spaces inside the Family Enrichment Center offer cozy chairs and couches along with soft lighting and soothing artworks.

In addition to celebrating new offices and a welcoming space to expand services and care, Healing House — a Certified Recovery Support Service provider — announced the completion of a rigorous program to obtain their Certified Substance Treatment and Rehabilitation (CSTAR) from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Phase One of this century-old storefront’s transformation opened the first floor into ten office spaces for staff, reception and waiting areas, conference rooms and space dedicated to provide childcare for clients during counseling sessions. Visitors wandered from office to office or gathered on comfortable couches while enjoying light refreshments as others gathered outside for opening remarks.

Bobbi Jo Reed, CEO and founder of Healing House KC, addressed those gathered, beginning with thanks for all the partners that had funded the project- from individuals and  foundations, to city, county, state and federal officials.

Reflecting on the progress made in the past 20 years, Reed said,“ Healing House should be the model of what true recovery looks like, and we’ve strived, and we’re going to keep on serving.”

Visitors filled the Family Enrichment Center’s reception area as founder Bobbi Jo Reed (center) mingles with guests on Friday, Feb. 13.

“We started this journey years and years ago when nobody even knew what recovery support services were, we only knew about treatment- that was it. We’re (now) the other piece of the pie, this (facility) is crucial, it makes it complete,” stated Reed.

Wick Thomas, Missouri House of Representatives District 19, presented Reed with a Resolution from the 103rd General Assembly signed by all the state representatives, stating, “We wanted to make this a state-wide celebration” that acknowledged “the amount of work that Healing House has done offering holistic, safe, and restructured recovery housing and proven recovery support services.”

Representatives from Jackson County, which provides COMBAT (Community Backed Anti-drug Tax) funding for Healing House programming, included legislators Jalen Anderson and  Vanessa Huskey, along with County Executive Phil LeVota. 

Clinical Director Angie Lewis shows Jeff Kahrs, Region 7 Director, US Department of Health and Human Services, the new children’s area sponsored by the family of Erin Langhofer.

While not in attendance, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas prepared a City Council Proclamation which declared Feb.13, 2026 as “Healing House Family Enrichment Center Day”.

From the Missouri Department of Mental Health, Rosie Anderson Harper spoke about the hurdles the Healing House staff faced to receive the State’s CSTAR certification, calling Reed and her staff “a team of doers.”

“I continue to be impressed with Bobbi Jo and her Healing House team,“ said Harper. “The pace at which they have been able to grow by renovating houses and apartments, creating the Recovery Community Center (112 N. Elmwood), creating the employment services space, and now a Family Enrichment Center, is nothing short of amazing.”

In order to receive CSTAR certification, staff member Anna Hoyt worked with Harper over a period of four years and this process included CARF International training in Philadelphia, Penn. This Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities is a nonprofit which helps health and human service providers meet globally recognized standards.

Like most of the Healing House staff, Hoyt began her association with this faith-based substance abuse recovery program as a participant and recently celebrated ten years in recovery. As the center’s Compliance Manager, Hoyt will work with Clinical Director Angie Lewis.

Lewis stated the center began offering services last month, providing outpatient and intensive outpatient clinical treatment using the American Society of Addiction Medicine model.

CSTAR programming includes individual and group counseling, community support services, and family support services designed to engage and support loved ones throughout the recovery process.

In addition to the 220 adults living in Healing House residences, the Family Enrichment Center can also provide service to 150 individuals that do not live on-site.

Reed stated that while obtaining the CSTAR confirmation took a lot of work, it was well worth it.

“We were willing to do whatever it took to get the accreditation we needed because we understand that in order to help more people, you have to do the things that are uncomfortable, said Reed.”

“But once you get on the other side, it can be glorifying to God and we can help even more people, that’s what we want to do.”