Causes:
Christianity,
Community & Neighborhood Development,
Economic Development,
Homeless & Housing,
Homeless Shelters,
Religion
Mission: Carry The Cross Ministries is a faith-based organization that exists to serve children, families, young adults and individuals who have experienced trauma and are trying to overcome life’s most difficult trials.
The first part of our mission is to provide homeless families in Kansas City with hope, restoration and an opportunity to have a fresh start. In the Firehouse, we have two apartments for use for families who have been struggling financially. We have now also transitioned to taking in young adults who have aged out of foster care ages 18-24.
Secondly, we want to reach out to the people in our community. In order to do this, we spend time outside playing with the children, working in our gardens, building relationships and looking for opportunities to serve and meet the needs of the families in our neighborhood.
Finally, our hope is to open On Eagles Wings Farm, where we will provide housing, give stability, support, counsel, care, and a loving Christian family environment to foster, at-risk children, and their families.
Our two main areas of focus are:
*Serving underprivileged children and youth in our surrounding
neighborhood by providing programs that meet educational, physical,
mental and emotional needs. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe place
for them to grow. We also love to explore parks, restaurants and events
around the metro.
*All layers of poverty: homelessness, rent, utilities and food insecurities,
and helping people get back on their feet after a rough time in life. We
do this through providing shelter, counseling, financial support,
connections to jobs and our food pantry. Our goal is to walk through life
with folks until they are ready to thrive, not just survive.
Results: The Firehouse has been home to over 20 different families over the past several years. Most of these families have left our home within a year or so to lead productive lives on their own!
We have been a source of hope and light to our neighborhood and community. We have had the blessing of being able to connect with hundreds of children, individuals and families offering many different levels of support.
Our family is now in the process of raising funds in order to purchase land to start a farm for foster and at-risk children. Our hope is to pass the Firehouse on to another family or organization that would like to continue that ministry.
Target demographics: The Firehouse targets low-income or homeless families in the Kansas City Metro area that need a fresh start. On Eagles Wings Farm will reach out to at-risk, foster or orphaned children between the ages of 3 and 16.
Geographic areas served: Kansas City, Kansas
Programs: The Firehouse:
A home for families struggling with homelessness and young girls aged 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system.
In addition to being a place of refuge and recreation for our surrounding area, The Firehouse operates as the central hub for our neighborhood enrichment activities, this includes weekly Bible study, community gardens, animals, educational support, and ongoing mentoring programs.
New Hope Food Pantry:
Providing food and essentials for neighbors, in the KCK community and surrounding areas.
Resources:
A place to find resources to help with financial, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Outreach programs:
Illumin8:
A weekly gathering for neighborhood children. We designed this program to include round table dinners, recreation, educational assistance, and spiritual support.
ExploreKC:
Excursions will be taken to cultural events and restaurants around the city for our neighborhood children. ExploreKC is a ministry where children will have an opportunity to visit various cultural spots in, and around, Kansas City. Not only will this provide them with new and exciting experiences, we hope it will offer new perspectives and foster an appreciation for the rich history of our city.
Back to Nature:
Groups of children explore outdoor areas around the city. In a society dominated by screens and technology, our Back to Nature ministry provides an important opportunity for individuals to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation and experience a sense of adventure.
Each month, our group will travel to a different nature area around Kansas City to hike, explore, and recharge. Once a year, we will hit the road for a camping expedition.
Equipped Mentorship:
We will provide an open door for mentoring relationships for children and teens involved in our programs. Our goal through the mentorship program is to provide an opportunity for kids in our neighborhood to build relationships that mirror that of Jesus and His disciples. We want to provide hope, be a source of support and encouragement through trials, to pray, and most importantly, we want them to experience the unconditional love of Christ.
