Abby Hoover
Managing Editor

As a 90-day hotel stay for Kansas City’s unhoused population expired last week without further action from local officials, local nonprofit City Union Mission announces vacancy at its Men’s Shelter.

“In response to the ever-changing needs of Kansas City, City Union Mission stands ready to support the needs of the poor and homeless,” according to a press release from the Mission. “Currently their Men’s Shelter has space and staff available to accommodate 150 additional men. Their Family Shelter is generally always full, but beds and rooms for families do become available throughout the week.”

Individuals seeking temporary shelter are encouraged to call the Hotline for the Homeless at (816) 474-4599.

“Our staff is always watching, learning, and listening to those we serve — the homeless men, women and families that come through our doors. We want to remove any barriers that might keep them from seeking the assistance that City Union Mission can provide,” CEO Dr. Terry Megli said. “We continue to enhance and advance our approach to address the homeless issue in Kansas City.”

The Mission has served Kansas City for nearly 100 years, providing resources for the poor and the homeless in Kansas City. In an effort to continue “standing in the gap” for their clients, the Mission has been working on ways to improve best practices.

Recently, they implemented a new Men’s Shelter Pathway, which presents guests with a choice of the nature of their stay, choosing to be a Day or Night shelter guest. Day guests wish to stay in the facility during the day, whereas Night guests prefer to be gone during the day to seek employment.

Shelter guests sleep in an assigned bed each night of their stay, which the Mission believes gives them added security and familiarity at a time of uncertainty in their lives. As part of the new Men’s Shelter Pathway, each guest is required to participate in community contribution time where they will complete a nominal housekeeping task.

Shower curtains have been installed to respect the privacy of the individual. Men are provided clean, season-appropriate sleepwear, which allows for their street clothes to be laundered. Bedding and sleepwear are laundered daily. Men are provided free clean clothing upon request. Guests have access to do personal laundry.

Each guest receives Case Management each week to help establish and receive support for their goals, whether rest and recovery, seeking employment, or medical assistance.

According to the Mission, guests are consistently offered the opportunity to maintain a longer-term safe and secure living environment by choosing to participate in 12- to 14-month recovery programs.

“It is our goal to always extend care, compassion and assistance to those that come to the Mission as a place of refuge and hope,” Megli said. “We are ready!”

To learn more about City Union Mission’s ministry’s comprehensive programs and services for the homeless and hurting, or how local ministries, civic groups or other organizations can help raise awareness about mental health disorders in our community, visit
cityunionmission.org.

City Union Mission is an evangelical Christian ministry committed to sharing the Gospel and meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of men, women and children who are poor or homeless.