Welcome to City Union Mission
"The poor have a very special place in God's plan. Part of that plan is for God's people to reach out with appropriate help. City Union Mission is one of His instruments for ministering to the poor."
--Rev. Daniel J. Doty, Executive Director
Since 1924, City Union Mission has provided warm beds, nutritious food and a place of safety for thousands of poverty stricken and homeless men, women and children.
Founded by Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley, the Mission's staff has been uncompromising in their commitment to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the hurting and the lost. City Union Mission receives no government support and is not a United Way agency.
The Mission depends completely on the gifts of God's people--individuals, churches, groups, foundations and businesses who care about the poor and homeless.
Mission Statement
City Union Mission is an evangelical Christian ministry committed to sharing the Gospel and meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of men, women, children who are poor or homeless.
Fast Facts
When you think of homelessness in Kansas City, you probably think "City Union Mission."
Here are several good reasons why that is true:
- City Union Mission is an evangelical Christian ministry committed to sharing the gospel and meeting the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of men, women and children who are poor or homeless.
- Last year, 368 guests committed their lives to Christ at City Union Mission.
- City Union Mission served over 314,000 meals for the hungry and provided over 131,000 beds for the weary in 2007.
- City Union Mission's doors are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
- City Union Mission offers half of the emergency shelter beds in downtown Kansas City, with both a men’s shelter and a women/family shelter.
- City Union Mission is the largest rescue mission in a six-state area.
- City Union Mission does not receive government funding; we rely completely on support from individuals, businesses, foundations, organizations and churches.
- City Union Mission celebrates its 84th anniversary in 2008; the doors opened on September 15, 1924.
- City Union Mission is the only shelter in Kansas City with infirmary beds for those who are ill or injured.
- City Union Mission operates the Hotline for the Homeless, which allows the homeless to call a single number to find available shelter in the area.
- City Union Mission prevents homelessness through community assistance, such as assisting community clients with bills, school supplies, clothing, food, and holiday projects.
- City Union Mission hosts a camp in the Ozarks, CAMP CUMCITO, for 500 low-income children during the summer.
- City Union Mission holds after-school programs for low-income children including tutoring and activities.
- City Union Mission offers Learning Centers at the Men’s Center and Family Center that assist guests with building resumes, obtaining GEDs, SAT preparation, tutoring, and more.
The Mission also helps clients break the cycle of poverty, homelessness and dependence on government assistance. The unhealthy behavior patterns clients often learn as young children eventually lead to homelessness. If persons are to make healthy lifestyle choices, they must first learn the difference between good choices and bad choices -- and the consequences of each. City Union Mission accomplishes this through its counseling, education and addiction recovery programs.
Faith-based recovery programs such as those offered at City Union Mission typically have a higher success rate than other programs. City Union Mission offers a longer-term recovery process and involves family members in counseling, since the whole family has been hurt.
Another component of City Union Mission's program is helping people prepare for jobs and manage their money so they can become self-sufficient in the future. The focus of the training is on developing right attitudes and a work ethic that will enable the person to escape the cycle of poverty.
In addition, City Union Mission teaches clients how to budget, control their spending, and deal responsibly with credit.
City Union Mission works to help clients achieve these goals:
- Live in permanent, affordable, safe housing one year later
- Have sufficient income and budget plan to meet needs and pay off debt
- Learn and exhibit responsibility for available resources, such as property
- Complete education and/or job training
- Establish healthy relationships in the family, the local church and the community
- Identify and make changes in attitudes and personal attributes such as honesty and responsibility
- Identify self-destructive addictions and work through realistic recovery issues
- Recognize the need for and accept salvation through Jesus Christ
- Involvement in a local church
The following administrative departments insure that City Union Mission is run as cost effectively and efficiently as possible:
- The Volunteer Department coordinates the placement of individuals, churches and volunteer groups to partner in areas of ministry for which they are best suited.
More information on Volunteers. - The Community Relations Department works side by side with individuals, corporations, civic groups and churches that want to become involved with the Mission through benefits, drives, special events and more. This office uses literature, public speaking, tours, radio promotions and other communication to educate Kansas City's population about the life-changing work at City Union Mission. More Information on Events, Drives, and Press Releases
- The Development Department facilitates financial support for the Mission from individuals, businesses, organizations, foundations and churches who want to support City Union Mission now and in the future. Assistance with planned giving, large cash gifts and offerings of property are handled here.
How to Support City Union Mission - The Food Service Department handles purchasing, sorting, and inventory of food and housekeeping supplies. Over 75% of the Mission's food is donated, so coming up with menus to efficiently utilize these donations is crucial. The Food Service Department distributes food to four kitchens, who turn out an average of 550 meals each day. During the summer, the department coordinates the supply of food to Camp CUMCITO and Tot Lot in Warsaw, MO.
Drives and Benefits - The Business Office is the hub for City Union Mission staff and donors. The bookkeeping department accepts and records financial donations, maintains the budget, handles billings and keeps a watchful eye over the Mission's fiscal health. The Mission is a member in good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and submits to an independent audit each year. In accordance with ECFA guidelines, financial statements are readily available at any time for public scrutiny.
Financial Information - Three Second Chance Thrift Stores accept, process, and distribute donations of all kinds, except for food and housekeeping supplies, which are handled by other departments. Donations are sorted and then distributed as follows: good clothing is transported to our free clothing rooms; furniture is stored for dispersal to families in need; excess household items and clothing are sold through the Thrift Store; and stained, unusable clothing are baled and sold. Funds raised through the store go to support various Mission activities and services.
Store Locations and Hours of Operation - The Maintenance Department handles remodeling and maintenance for each of the Mission's Kansas City locations. With the help of men on the Christian Life Program, volunteers and professionals, facilities are kept up to city health and safety codes.
Volunteers
Each of the administrative departments listed above can be reached by calling (816) 474-9380 or by e-mail at info@cumission.org.
