COMBINING COMPASSION AND ART
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"there is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread"
Mother Teresa
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GOAL
Artists Helping The Homeless is a non-profit 501c3 public charity organization that raises money through Art to help individuals who need a new beginning. We encourage you to browse through our Gallery - we will donate a portion of the proceeds to provide opportunities for those less fortunate. Our major initiatives include, providing housing and serving meals weekly at the park. Our goal is to service the homeless in their environment, a setting they are more comfortable with. And be sure to watch for different art events throughout the year to help raise awareness for this important cause. Remember, all of the money raised will stay right here in Kansas City. So take a moment to give back to the community. You'll even make your own life more artful in the process!
Over 8800 meals served as of end of December 2009
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| Be The Change Sculpture at D W Newcomer Photo by Joseph Maino |
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Be Our Sponsor To Inspire Change
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Pilot Homeless Program with St. Lukes' Hospital
Artists Helping The Homeless is partnering with St. Lukes' Hospital to develop a pilot program to help the homeless in the Plaza, Westport and Mid Town area begining January 2010. The new program will provide assistance to those in need utilizing the personal approach that has proven successful in other AHH programs. Through positive feedback, encouragement and support, AHH helped identify both needs and resources to help those who want to get off the street. The program will operate at a facility in the area served and from a mobile van. It will work with other programs, agencies and organizations to meet specific needs. We want to make this is a community effort to help resolve this challenge in our society.
Area students may be interested in working in the program as part of their school practicum under the guidance of their counselors. .
Volunteer opportunites are available in many areas.
Your suggestions and observations are welcome as we develop this exciting new program to provide feedback, please click here.
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Stuart Whitney Award
We are HUMBLE, HONORED & SURPRISED by receiving the Stuart Whitney Award for EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY ADVOCACY from Homeless Services Coalition of Greater KC. This award recognizes the participation and support of my friends and volunteers.
It is an honor to be named along side of the Executive Director of Synergy Services Robin s. Winner & Executive Director Wm. Kent Jewell @ Benilde Hall Program & Mr. George Harris with the Police Dept who help put together the Homeless task force project for KC. Again the honor goes to our team. Thanks.
At the same time it is a great reminder to me of more works need to be done. New imagination and ideas needed to be form to make our community a better place for our friends.
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| Kato House Mobile Unit |
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HAVE YOU SEEN THIS VAN?
St. Lukes' Hospital and AHH are collaborating to address issues of the homeless in the Plaza/Westport area.
This Van will be in the area at night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. to provide area homeless a place to go for
* Warmth
* Food
* Clothing
* Supplies
* Assistance
* Transportation
* Youth Outreach
The Van is an extension of services AHH provides to help both those on the street and those wanting to get off the street. Working with area agencies, churches and organizations the last two years, AHH has helped homeless off the street and helped others avoid being on it.
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Artists Helping the Homeless is very excited to announce a new partnership with Synergy Services and ReStart Inc. to provide field based outreach and developmental programming to Kansas City’s homeless youth population. With help with trainers from 24 Hour Fitness we will be hosting health and wellness programs at Synergy’s new Youth Resiliency Center. We will also put on artistic creativity workshops and provide basic art classes.
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| Be The Change at Synergy Youth Resiliency Center |
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BE THE CHANGE
The art symbolizes that without change a seed would not become a flower,
An acorn would not become a tree.
Change is inevitable. It is what we do with it that makes the difference.
BE The Change is a touring exhibit by Artists Helping the Homeless to help those less fortunate,
that is moving through Kansas City to spread this message.
Change will happen with or without us.
By being part of the change, by taking simple acts,
that change will do better for ourselves and others.
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| Trinity Lutheran Church site for World's Largest Footprint 09-18-09 |
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BE THE CHANGE
A Rotating Outdoor Art Sculpture Exhibit
Showcasing Original Metal and Lucite Sculptures.
7' metal column supporting 3' tall lettering with a total expand of 25' to help bring awareness to
BE THE CHANGE
Lucite flowers with a diameter of 7 feet and standing between 12' to 15'
created to embrace the change
Concept by J. M. Porters 2009
Month of April location: Mid America Nazarene University
Month of May Location: All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
4501 Walnut Kansas City MO 64111
Month of June Location: City of Mission on Shawnee Mission Parkway
To tie in with the food program for low income community
End of June: Overland Park Arboretum for Stem Event
Month of July: College and Metcalf D. W. Newcomers
Food Collections on Site
Month of August: Great Mall in Olathe
Food drive for our new food program in Olathe and for Harvesters
Month of September: Colonial Church in Prairie Village
Co-Hosting First Annual Outdoor Yoga event with 24 Hour Fitness
At Harmon Park Prairie Village KS September 12 Saturday
September 18 Friday City of Mission presents
World's Largest Foot Print @ Trinity Lutheran Church
Shawnee Mission Parkway & Nall
Month of October: Downtown Overland Park
Corner of 80th and Marty
Working with Merchants Downtown to collect food and winter supplies
Month of March 2010: Synergy Youth Resiliency Center To Celebrate Synergy Center's Grand Opening in March Open House Sunday, March 14 from 1-5 p.m. Youth Activities Monday, March 15 6-8 p.m. Family activities Tuesday, March 16th from 4-8 p.m. Donor Recognition At Synergy at 2001 Northeast Parvin Road, KC MO
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| An Evening with the Arts in City of Mission |
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Johnson County Food Ministry
We want to thank everyone who has shown interest in helping us get Johnson County Food Ministry off the ground as well as those who have pledge to help. To quote Nikosi
Do All You Can
With What You Have
In The Time You Have
In the Place You Are
Do All You Can
This project that unites the community; the churches, university, merchants, offices and individuals. The food ministry will serve every Thursday night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Center of Grace, who has generously offer their facility for our need at 520 S Harrison St., Olathe
Our goal is to serve those who show up a fine dinner and to treat them as our guest.
Avoiding serving lines will promote dignity and encourage conversation and interaction. We want to recognize them as part of our community.
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Many Thanks To The Following Patron Sponsorship
For Our 'BE THE CHANGE' Outdoor Exhibit Event
Community Christian Church
Worship God - Grow Disciples - Serve The World
Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City
The Best Place To Get Care/The Best Place To Give Care
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
We Share A Desire To Make The World A Better Place
Waddell & Reed
Investing - With A Plan
Kansas City Chiefs
Ambassadors Charitable Foundation
Vince & Associates
Clinical Research For A Better Tomorrow
Russco Fabrication
Liquid & Powdercoat Finishes
City of Mission
Great Mall of The Great Plains
T. J. Erickson
Larry & Susan Clore
Donations are welcome to help inspire change.
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| Flower Sculpture at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church |
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City of Mission Food Program
Official announcement date June 17, 2009 with unveiling of 'Be The Change' Sculpture at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roe
Mission’s Community Garden is located at the corner of Foxridge Rd. and Lamar Ave. on vacant land owned by Johnson County Wastewater. The plan is to construct 10 raised beds totaling 1000 square feet of planting area. So far four beds are constructed and there are signs of growth from the vegetables. Lettuce, spinach, green onions, carrots, and tomatoes are planted so far, and when more beds are build additional tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, watermelon, and sweet corn will be planted. The plan is to donate most of the food to low-income residents who qualify for our franchise fee rebate program, meaning they live on limited incomes. Food will also be donated to volunteers who help harvest the vegetables.
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| Commissioner Annabeth Surbaugh in City of Mission |
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| City of Mission with Mayor Laura McConwell |
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| City of Mission with Mayor Laura McConwell |
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Change is to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone. I believe the most important phrase in this definition is “if left alone.” This signifies true change is not possible if we are allowed to carry on with life as we always have; in other words, to maintain the status quo. Change is never easy, and it forces a person to look beyond themselves into the unknown depths of their future. Yet if left alone, we risk the danger of dying a slow apathetic death, which begs of us nothing more than to exist.
However, we are called to something greater than this. There is a beckoning deep within ourselves that is continually pushing us to become who we were created to be. We do not change for the sake of change; rather, we change to become better than we would be if left alone. Furthermore, as we are in relationships with one another, we are able to speak words of truth into one another’s lives that inspire us to reach the heights of new beginnings. These new beginnings are brought about by change, and change is brought about by one’s willingness to realize and accept who they were created to be and embrace it wholeheartedly. Therefore, we must change for the better, and in so doing we will live.
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| Be the change you wish to see in the world |
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The phrase, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” was introduced
by Christian von Ehrenfeis in the late 1800's within the Gestalt Theory of
psychology, and was used to describe the concept of synergy. The essence of synergy is to value
differences - to respect them, to build on strengths, and to compensate for
weaknesses. The way to achieve synergy is through the creative process, which
is terrifying, because you never know where the creative process will lead you. As we are in relationships with one
another, there is a synergistic energy that is fueled and cultivated when we
share life together. The
terrifying aspect is the necessity of vulnerability. However, we learn and grow when there is a mutuality in
relationship, and disclosure of our true selves. Only then is it possible to come together as a healthy
community.
This concept has clearly been lived out through our ministry and the relationships
and bonds which have been forged.
It has been through our time with our homeless friends that we have
truly understood the interconnectedness of our stories and lives. The beautiful idea of synergy reveals
that no matter your gender, race, socioeconomic status, we all have something
to teach one another and to learn from one another. As individuals we are broken, yet as a community we are made
whole.
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| Many thanks to Jay Woodside and his father Jim's help in installation |
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| Be The Change Sculpture at Mid America Nazarene University |
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| Be The Change sculpture installation in Mid America Nazarene University |
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Many thanks to the following volunteers helping with our installation
Jay Parrott, Tony Pycior, Jon Cale, Billy Stinde, Joseph Fuller
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| Shannon and Shakespeare |
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| Success Story For Life
Shannon came to Kansas City 3 months before Christmas of 2008 from Texas. Unfortunately the living arrangement she thought perfect for her before her move to Kansas City turned into a nightmare. With COPD, wheelchairs and a nine year old, Shannon found herself stranded with no where to go on Christmas Day 2008. With no one to turn to and no agency available because of the holidays, Artists Helping The Homeless stepped up, moved her to a temporary home for the holiday and helped her to find a temporary shelter at City Union.
The decision to stay in Kansas City finally became a reality because of her determination to acquire
independence and Shannon now has successfully arranged a transitional housing to stay at Re-Start.
We are very happy to be part of the team involved in helping her get back on her feet.
And her son is enrolled in school.
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| Shannon and Shakespeare |
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