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Kansas City utility assistance program helps families through generous community support
What happens when your full-time job still has you living paycheck to paycheck to support your family, and then there’s an unexpected home repair emergency?
Bishop Sullivan Center’s (BSC) Household Assistance program is the answer – a vital resource in helping our Kansas City neighbors move forward, especially after an unexpected crisis. And this is precisely where Devin* found himself.
While some home issues can wait until you’ve saved up, a sewage water flood requires immediate action.
BSC is there when a home repair crisis occurs
Devin’s world came to a halt when he made the stomach-turning discovery that the basement and bathroom of his family’s home were filling with sewage. He turned his panic into action, called in to work, rented a dumpster to dispose of everything the flood had destroyed, and quickly dove into remediation and repairs to make the home safe again for his family.
But in the midst of this chaos and grunt work, bills still needed to be paid. Between the unplanned expenses and the missed work hours, the electric bill sent the family’s budget over the edge. Devin had heard about the BSC Household Assistance program and reached out for support.
Because of the Kansas City community’s generosity, BSC could be the answer, offering utility assistance that covered a portion of the family’s electric bill and groceries.
Putting in the hard work to make his family’s home safe again, along with your support, put Devin and his family back on the road to normalcy.
It takes all of us in the Kansas City community to lighten the load for neighbors like Devin! Ready to lend a hand? Get Involved today!
Read more inspiring stories about BSC.
*Name changed for privacy
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He walked out of prison and through BSC’s front door, ready to rebuild his life. Where is he today?
The Bishop Sullivan Center (BSC) Employment Services program makes a difference in many lives throughout our Kansas City community.
Rebuilding a life after hardship
Mark is one such community member who got his second chance at life. Eight years ago, Mark* was connected with the BSC team as he began rebuilding his life after incarceration. He had a bike for transportation and was finding it challenging to find work that was accessible. BSC was a lifeline – a phone, hygiene care, and bus passes helped Mark on his journey to self-sufficiency.
Mark is now almost a decade into the career he obtained through working with BSC. In that time, Mark gained on-the-job skills and was promoted to supervisor. He has also purchased a car and is considering a home purchase.
“I don’t drive by Bishop Sullivan Center without thinking of how you helped me,” he shared.
Job candidates work with BSC staff to learn basic computer and interview skills, as well as how to market their own talents to secure employment.
Comprehensive job services lead to brighter futures
Since 1995, the BSC Employment Services program has been supporting community members just like Mark, providing free job counseling. BSC works with each client on work-readiness, so they have the basic skills needed to be successful. Support includes working on vocational ability, attitude, and dependability. BSC offers two locations where clients can access computers for job searches, as well as resume and mock interview support.
We all deserve second chances, and Mark has certainly made the most of his thanks to everyone who supports this much needed BSC program. Thank you!
In the News: Bishop Sullivan Center Helps Kansas Citians Find Employment, Northeast News.
*Name changed for privacy
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Increased living costs bring more first-timers to Bishop Sullivan Center
All across our Kansas City community, dramatic increases in the cost of necessities have really hit home. Bishop Sullivan Center (BSC) is a vital safety net for our neighbors in need. This summer, our emergency assistance team reported an unusual increase in calls from neighbors who had suddenly been laid off from long-term employment — a trend that’s particularly concerning, considering the strain on budgets community-wide.
Fresh produce and pantry goods are offered at both Bishop Sullivan Center’s Kansas City locations. Individual donors account for 92% of BSC’s program dollars, making the food pantries possible.
Just last month, we met Brenda* — a hard-working KC resident who found herself laid off by the school district. Like many of us, she has never needed help before and never imagined needing a resource like BSC.
Brenda quickly found a part-time job, but it just wasn’t enough to make ends meet.
“When she reached out to us, Brenda was clearly feeling pretty low,” notes Programs Director Shilo Foster. “She mentioned she was struggling to afford groceries and hadn’t eaten much recently. These are our community members, and we simply can’t have that!”
Through BSC’s Food Pantry and Rent Assistance programs, we were able to alleviate some of Brenda’s immediate stressors – ensuring she had nutritious grocery staples and help with her rent.
“This was just the connection I needed,” she shares. “I feel so blessed that BSC was there when I needed support the most.” Brenda continues her search for more stable employment.
“The job market is tough right now … honestly, for everyone,” shares Foster. “The cost of living is climbing. Temporary or part-time jobs that people typically find to fill the gaps between gainful employment are no longer sufficient. We’re getting more calls and emails than ever before from community members like Brenda, who have never needed help before. I’m thrilled that BSC is here to fill the gaps.”
Image: Zillow. Rent prices have skyrocketed since 2015 throughout the Midwest, leaving individuals closer than ever to homelessness. Bishop Sullivan Center’s rental assistance program helps Kansas City residents make ends meet.
Tighter budgets across the Kansas City metro
Everyone is feeling the impact of rising costs. But for neighbors living paycheck to paycheck, the issues go far beyond skipping the eggs and coffee at the grocery store. Those already on tight budgets are finding it harder to balance all their monthly expenses, and those on Social Security are unable to save for a rainy day. Lost work hours mean having to choose which bills are most dire for many, not just in Kansas City, but across the country.
Lower-end housing prices have increased more than lower-end wages in recent years in the Kansas City metro. More alarmingly, rents have rapidly increased by 47% in the last 10 years in KC, according to Zillow. With skyrocketing rent and recent funding cuts impacting many partner organizations, BSC is one of the few remaining lifelines available for Kansas City residents in need of rent and utility assistance.
Vital community support enables BSC to provide a hand up
“We know the stresses families are under to make ends meet,” says Director of Outreach Hannah Brockway. “The strain on their incomes and benefits is greater than ever. We may not be the answer for everything, but we are privileged to experience the beauty of helping others every day; during these trying times, this is something to hold onto with both hands.”
Did you know that individual donors make up 92% of BSC’s program dollars? Truly incredible — a testament to the power of local community. Ongoing support from community members is vital to enabling BSC to provide a hand up to our neighbors in need!
*Name changed for privacy
Blog
Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the country, according to the National Weather Service. Older adults can also be at a heightened risk, especially those who live alone or have limited mobility.
Twenty-five years ago, the news of 21 heat-related deaths in the Kansas City metro inspired us at Bishop Sullivan Center (BSC) to launch a program that has been saving lives ever since.
Project ElderCool operates during the summer months, and we deliver and install air conditioning units free of charge to local seniors and medically vulnerable neighbors. To date, BSC has installed nearly 6,000 A/C units — all through compassionate support.
We believe homes are a refuge, and no one should have to face the deadly heat of a Kansas City summer. Just this month (July 2025), the Midwest has issued a major heat advisory. And BSC’s Project ElderCool is running stronger than ever in its 26th year.
Last week, staff, volunteers, and our generous partner A.B. May were in full force in neighborhoods across KC, installing vital A/C units just before the soaring temperatures hit.
This initiative not only enhances physical comfort but also cultivates a sense of community solidarity, showing that no one is left behind in the face of adversity. It is a meaningful opportunity to engage with residents and hear their stories – and deliver life-saving relief from extreme heat.
Read more inspiring stories now!
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The BSC team assembles a new sofa for special needs family.
Setting up stability for a family with special needs.
Parenting is challenging. But for parents of children with special needs, especially those with limited means, the unexpected challenges can lead to serious financial hardship. Sylvia*, the single parent of two severely autistic children, was recently forced to move from her apartment complex when neighbors complained of disruptive noises her kids were making. Sylvia was able to find a house that would work for the family, but the sudden nature of their move left her unable to prepare financially for both the deposit and the first month’s rent.
With no support systems in place and her children requiring around-the-clock care, Sylvia wasn’t sure where to turn. Our partners at Flourish: A Furniture Bank connected Sylvia with Bishop Sullivan Center (BSC).
Our team was able to visit the family’s new home and assist them with funds to help cover their first month’s rent, as well as purchase a few essentials — a couch, towels, and pots and pans.
“It felt good to relieve some pressure for Sylvia,” said BSC Programs Director Shilo Foster. “She puts everything into her children. It was nice to do something for her.”
Read more inspiring stories now!
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When heat-related medical issues flared, Project ElderCool saved the day.
Bishop Sullivan Center’s Project ElderCool helps our elderly and disabled neighbors in the Kansas City metro find refuge from summer’s deadly heat through our free A/C installation program — and the amazing support from donors and sponsors like A.B. May, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 101, and Evergy.
We want to share with you a story from last summer about Constance, a recipient of this program. Constance is a 53-year-old neighbor who suffers from severe asthma and lupus, which manifests for her as a serious skin condition. The heat causes painful flare-ups and blisters. When her A/C went out, Constance was forced to rely on a small fan for relief, and the heat was causing painful irritation and affecting her breathing. Our team responded quickly with a new AC unit.
“Thank you all SOO much for my new A/C unit,” she shared in a heartfelt thank you note. “I’m so grateful for nice people like you all. You are blessings to my life.”
Kayla McAbee, MSW, who heads up BSC’s Project ElderCool, says, “It’s a small gesture with a monumental impact, spreading cool relief and compassion when it’s needed most. Installing air conditioners is a tangible expression of care and support. It’s more than just regulating temperatures; it’s about fostering resilience and dignity. By ensuring access to cool, comfortable spaces, we’re empowering individuals to navigate challenging weather conditions with greater ease and confidence.”
Read more inspiring stories now!
