Giving Tuesday: Charitable Causes to Support in the KC Area
Pre-Black Friday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas in general has really tapped into our innate desire to consume. And we can consume on an unprecedented level when left to our own devices.
As Americans , we spend A LOT money while giving represents such a small fraction of what we possess. Don’t get me wrong, buying and enjoying things isn’t the issue but it often overshadows the meaningful act of giving.
This time of year always sparks one of the most memorable holiday quotes for me from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”:
“Everybody seems too kerbobbled. Isn’t this just a little superfluous?”
Cindy Lou Who
Now if you’re like me then you don’t know the context of this sentence without looking up the meaning of kerbobbled and superfluous. Kerbobbled means mixed up or confused. Superfluous means unnecessary and excessive.
This holiday season let’s not mix things up AND if we’re to be excessive let it be in giving. Remember, giving doesn’t just apply to money but can also include time, expertise, influence, and much more.
There are so many great, local causes that are making a lasting impact within the Greater Kansas City community. And the great part about supporting local causes is that you get to witness the change.
Here are some causes that our advisors especially love.
Kansas City Charities
CarePortal
Wakefield Hare on the impact of CarePortal
To be able to make an impact on others, we have to do more than just know about the need. We have to be able to actually see the need, and then go into action to actually fulfill the need in a way that helps more than it hurts.
We know families are hurting in our communities, but there are surprising barriers that prevent the people who have a genuine desire to help from actually giving help. That’s why CarePortal is such a vital organization. They have the framework for connecting the needs of families in our very own communities with those who have the resources to help.
Personally, we had a teenager live with us in 2019 who gave us a clear picture of how important it is to connect those who need help with those who can and want to give it. Without those people and organizations like CarePortal, so many hopes are left deferred and so many opportunities to give simply fade. CarePortal is active now in communities in our Kansas City area, and across the US.
You can support or get involved with CarePortal by clicking here.
The Hope Center KC & CoBuild
Mike Zung on the impact of The Hope Center KC & CoBuild
Two local initiatives that we have become involved in supporting are The Hope Center KC and CoBuild.
The mission behind The Hope Center KC is to “provide asset-based programs, and opportunities for sustainable growth and development, where children, youth and families can flourish on Kansas City's east side.” These programs include a public charter school, health care center, and community garden.
Our church has shown long-term commitment to this cause through purchasing and renovating a neighboring property on Linwood Blvd. that will be used to support The Hope Center.
You can support The Hope Center KC by clicking here.
To complete the renovation, we are working with another great organization called CoBuild. CoBuild provides on-the-job construction training and educational opportunities for Women, Black and Indigenous People of Color in Kansas City’s east side.
In the words of Founder/Owner Tate Williams, “The reality is that women and BIPOC can literally transform how we build community, but they’ve been cut out of the opportunities in the construction industry” and CoBuild exists to “provide a bridge to that conversation”.
This year I had the honor of service as a director of our church’s latest 3-year campaign to raise funding for these initiatives (as well as several others in KC and around the world). It has been really powerful to hear stories first-hand from both The Hope Center and CoBuild, followed by seeing the generosity of so many in the midst of the financial uncertainty caused by 2020. Most of all, having the opportunity to discuss and experience it all with our two kids means so much to my wife and me.
You can visit the CoBuild website to learn more about using their services.
Pro Deo Youth Center
Clint Haynes on the impact of the Pro Deo Youth Center
A local charity to Lee’s Summit that I’ve been involved with for a number of years, including serving on their board, is Pro Deo Youth Center. They do absolutely amazing work in the way of after-school programs for high schoolers in our area.
Their mission is “building relationships to empower teens in a safe and inclusive environment.” I like to think of Pro Deo as a home away from home for many of these high schoolers. They offer a number of activities that give these students something to do after school while still being productive.
“We give teens opportunities to set goals while providing the support and accountability they need to be successful. We are building a legacy of excellence in loving teens and empowering them to dream & achieve.”
Pro Deo offers these students a safe place to hang out, learn, and meet new friends. It’s truly been a blessing for many teens in our community. If you’d like to learn more about Pro Deo and see how you can help, then check out the Pro Deo website to learn more. From financial support to volunteering to sponsoring events, there are a number of opportunities where you can be a part of the incredible work they do in our community.
You can support the Pro Deo Youth Center by clicking here.
Global Orphan Project & Sisters of Solace
Donovan Brooks on the impact of the Global Orphan Project & Sisters of Solace
Our church has been heavily involved with the Global Orphan Project for some time. The Global Orphan Project exists to break the orphan cycle through the power of community, commerce and the love of Jesus. Most of us probably take for granted having a family and a home to call ours but the harsh reality is that there are countless orphans throughout the world. Every child needs, and deserves, a family and a home yet it’s still an unfortunate reality for many kids around the world. I often think about if my own kids happened to be orphans and it completely wrecks me.
Through preventative measures, local and relevant care, and an emphasis on transitions the Global Orphan Project is able to change the trajectory of the lives of many. The Global Orphan Project is able to make a meaningful impact through CarePortal (listed above), by connecting those with resources to those that have needs, and GOEX (their fair trade apparel company that provides strong jobs that improve the lives of the workers and communities in their closest communities).
You can support the Global Orphan Project by clicking here.
Sisters of Solace (SOS), based out of St. Joseph, MO, exists to serve the most vulnerable of women. “They are a community of hospitality and healing for women survivors of trauma and addiction who have no place to call home.” SOS aims to heal, empower, and employ every woman that passes through its doors.
The sobering reality is that there are very few options for these vulnerable women to feel safe, loved, to heal, and call home. Again, we can often take these things for granted if we’ve never known life without them. It’s time to start investing in the most vulnerable among us.
You can support Sisters of Solace by clicking here.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that giving brings out the best in us as humans. The research shows that we get more joy from giving to others than we do spending on ourselves. This is especially true if that giving has a momentous impact on their lives (which often isn’t very hard to do). Think about that for a minute.
We do hope you enjoy this holiday season and what presents symbolize BUT we do hope that you can also sacrifice some of your money, time, energy, skills, influence, and more to help others in need.
And when it comes to making an impact what better and easier place than your back yard, Kansas City?
