Friends of Yates

Friends of Yates (FOY) was a blessing to me from God! Most of my life I had lived in KCKS. Throughout the years I had known about FOY service to the community and dynamic leadership. I knew people who had worked for the agency and I had attended some of its community programs. Fast forward to 2016, my life had been in a downward spiral for more than 5 years, having experienced years of abuse, addiction and poor life choices. Things really overwhelmed me after I suddenly faced serious health problems, had no resources and no home to call my own. I was referred to FOY and no one turned their noses up on me, but to the contrary they gave me assistance. I don't recall ever receiving such compassion! FOY is the best at what it does. Someday I hope to be a blessing to the agency as it has blessed me and so many others! All praises to God and God Bless FOY!

Friends of Yates has been an essential part of Wyandotte County for 108 years and specifically providing lifesaving domestic violence services to victims experiencing and fleeing intimate partner violence for over 40 years. In addition to being a change agent for victim/survivors of abuse, Yates has also, provided employment opportunities and professional development to the community. Friends of Yates has always been mission focused and continually puts the needs of its clients first. During the unforeseen COVID-19 Pandemic, many changes in program services were required to adjust to the new normal and still be able to meet the increasing needs of victims of domestic violence reaching out for services. Due to this increased need, emergency shelter services were modified and expanded to include utilizing local hotels to safely social distance while also meeting the greater demand of safe emergency housing for victims of domestic violence. Program staff were asked to be flexible in scheduling to ensure continuous supportive services to survivors residing in emergency shelter locations. Friends of Yates has always cared about the safety of their employees and have put guidelines in place during COVID-19 Pandemic to best protect clients as well as staff. With all of the turmoil caused by the Pandemic, Friends of Yates is thankful to its community supporters and funders for their support to ensure we never had to close the doors to our program, which enabled us to continue to address the immediate safety needs of victims of domestic violence and the staff continued to receive full pay. As the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic continues, Friends of Yates is committed to continually looking for diverse funding opportunities as well as donations to address the pandemic of domestic violence in our community.
Additionally, Friends of Yates is currently looking for compassionate and competent professionals, who are able to embrace and help carry out the mission of the agency to continually provide services and a sense of identity to children, youth, adults and senior citizens that facilitates safe and productive lives. Individuals who understand the flexibility required when working in a shelter program and willing to work as a team to meet the needs of those we serve.

They refuse to disclose their annual report and financials which is required under IRS regulations. Their lack of transparency is concerning! It gives pause to how they are managing their donations.

I have had the opportunity to work in Friends of Yates for over a year now as a Spanish interpreter and translator. In this time I have had the opportunity to learn about the vital role which this organization has had in this community for many years. The fact that the organization has sought to have someone like me come on board reflects their desire to continously reach out to help people from many different backgrounds, in my case working directly with Spanish-speakers.

Friends of Yates, Inc. has been a vital part of the community for many years. My children attended summer youth camps at the Center when they were young. I left them each day feeling confident that they were in good hands. The many services that Friends of Yates has provided for the community makes them more than a "service" agency. Friends of Yates is family...Community family.

FOY has served Wyandotte County for many years now, and we hope to further strengthen our presence in the community. Everyone here has a strong passion for social justice and progression. Along with responsibilities at the shelter with our clients who reside here, we also have a responsibility to the community. I am constantly collaborating with KCKPD and the Wyandotte County Court System. I act as an advocate at the shelter, and the victim advocate at the Wyandotte County District and Municipal Courts. Other advocates at FOY are also very involved with collaborating with other members and groups in the community to spread our services across the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

I have worked with Friends of Yates for almost 12 years. I have been an advocate for domestic violence victims for more years. I know FOY to be a great advocacy agency for victims of domestice violence, offering services beyond shelter to help victims become survivors and able to go into the community and live normal lives without the abuser. Support for young people has always been a part of their mission and they have initiated many new programs which reach out to many people in our community. The group of people who work with and for FOY are from many ethnic/race groups - very diverse. I continue to work with them because I work with victims each & every day.