The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities. Let’s change the tune for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Join us on February 22, 2025 - team up, fundraise, and walk with us!
Shelter KC has been serving the Kansas City community for more than seven decades.
The nonprofit was founded in 1950 as a Kansas City Rescue Mission.
Its founder, Dr. Jarrett Aycock, then-superintendent of the Kansas City District Church of the Nazarene, had experienced his own life-changing transformation.
After many years of alcoholism and homelessness, Dr. Aycock accepted Christ as his Savior at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. Not only was his life changed forever, but his decision to turn his gratitude into service has meant thousands of others now have faith for a better future.
Faith for a Better Future
There’s something contagious about having faith that things can change. It’s one thing to be told “things can be different.” It’s another thing to see it happen before your own eyes.
At Shelter KC, hope and healing are more than just words of encouragement. Real-life, turnaround stories are part of our very DNA—from our founding to current-day transformations taking place in the lives of the individuals we have the honor of serving.
Each year, more than 1,500 men seek services at Shelter KC’s Men’s Center. Annually, we provide an average of 88,000 meals and 36,000 nights of shelter. These services are integral, but they are just the beginning.
Freedom From the Past, Hope for the Future
Shelter KC receives no government funds. Support for our programs and facilities comes from generous donors who have compassion for how difficult life can be and, at the same time, have faith that tomorrow can be different!
Individuals who arrive at our door have gone through so much to get here.
Hungry, homeless and hurting, most share stories of pain and heartache, regret and dejection, exhaustion and—almost worst of all: hopelessness.
We are so grateful when they arrive, because crossing over from “out there, alone” to “safe here, with us” represents the first, big step in a future of positive transformations.
Shelter in the Storm, Hope for all Who Enter
Led by licensed counselors, ordained ministers, case workers and others passionate about seeing men live transformed lives, the Men’s Center offers:
• Short-term emergency homeless shelter
• Long-term homeless shelter
• Long-term recovery program
Our 60-bed emergency shelter and 40-bed recovery program for men in Kansas City almost every night of the year. Our promise is to treat each man who walks through our doors with dignity. Therefore, individuals who live on the street consider us one of the safest shelters in Kansas City.
Nightly services offered to homeless men include:
• Shower and shower kit
• Nutritious meal served family-style in our dining room
• Bed with antibacterial mattress and pillow, sheets and blanket
• Chapel services
• One-on-one counseling
• Clothing and laundry services
• Medical referrals
Lives Transformed
Shelter KC offers homeless men two weeks of emergency shelter. Ongoing Shelter KC programs include:
Shelter Launch
Connecting shelter guests with a life coach and resources to obtain independent housing including: financial, legal and spiritual direction; healthcare, career and addiction recovery support; and housing resources.
Long-term Recovery
Christian Community of Recovery (C-COR), a nine-month trust and responsibility based recovery environment designed to disciple men towards a committed and sober life in Jesus Christ. C-COR offers a supportive community, classroom instruction, pastoral counseling, work therapy, recovery groups and case management to help program participants launch from Shelter KC into a sustainable Christian life. Men who wish to participate in the C-COR community must apply and be accepted. After joining, members must actively and faithfully participate in all of the various activities agreed upon in their recovery plan.
Hope For the Future
Shelter KC continues to be a beacon of hope and transformation, rooted in a legacy of faith and service. For 75 years, Shelter KC has not only provided essential services but has also empowered individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. As we look to the future, we remain committed to walking alongside those in need, offering them not just shelter but a pathway to lasting recovery and restoration. With the support of our generous donors and community, we believe that the best is yet to come—there is hope for all who enter here.
Shelter KC Volunteer Coordinator
Phone 816421.7643ext.116
Email volunteer@shelterkc.org