Learning about Neighbor2Neighbor | Support for the homeless in midtown Kansas City

WHO IS N2N

N2N (Neighbor2Neighbor) offers a spirit of radical hospitality; generously welcoming all persons with compassionate service and accountability. Neighbor2Neighbor is about relationships. When many helping agencies say “client,” we say “neighbor.” Hungry neighbors come each day to Neighbor2Neighbor looking for nutritious meals and a place where they feel safe, welcome, and respected.

OUR MISSION: To provide an oasis of support and encouragement to the homeless and near-homeless to help them achieve return to independence, confidence and a healthy sense of self-worth and a better future.

From:

To:

Greg Parr

August 2017

Current

Executive Director

My God-given PASSION is serving people with substance abuse problems, and helping prevent youth from getting hooked on alcohol and drugs.

Since leaving the life of substance abuse myself 26 years ago (Oct 1994), I have spent my life serving those with similar problems in Kansas City, MO, first in the Westport area of central Kansas City, MO, where I had once panhandled for many years to feed my own addictions. (I was arrested 97 times for various charges.)

I served 12 years as Director of Substance Abuse Recovery (“Heart to Heart”) at Grace United Community Ministries (GUCM) and am now Executive Director of the Neighbor2Neighbor Program. I continue to serve the homeless and families living with substance abuse in the underserved area of Kansas City, MO.

In 26 years, I have personally assisted over 2,700 users into detox and treatment, finding beds for them -- no easy task these days, given the closings in KCMO!! -- sometimes driving them to treatment centers 50 miles away. Afterwards, I help them stay in recovery!

From:

To:

John Sullivan

April 2014

Current

N2N Board Chairperson

I worked for Lockton Companies for 30 years and am now retired. While at Lockton, I was able to work at n2n on Fridays (business casual) and Saturdays. During that time, I was able to see how lives were touched by a greeting, calling by name or hugging. "Those people" as those we serve are called, are no different than me - we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus said "feed my sheep" which we do. To us that charge also means to feed the heart, the soul, the mind and the spirit. By so doing, we become more than a food provider - we become a welcome, safe place. When we are told "thank you for being here - I don't what I would do if you weren't", that is payment in full for our Ministry.

Currently, too many agencies dealing with the clients we deal with are transactional in nature. Our preference and our goal is to be interactive, to know the people we serve and to provide an environment of welcome, caring, understanding and love. Using a guest's name when interacting with them creates a sense of belonging. It may be radical, but that is what we do. We publish a newsletter most quarters. The current one is on our website. If you would like copies of earlier issues, please e mail me at johnsn2n@gmail.com.
Thanks and God Bless

We don’t enable negative behavior – we don’t allow it on our premises. Touching lives and helping effect changes where we can is a fulfilling experience. It is and always has been our mission.

From:

To:

Rosie Beuthien

Jan. 2016

Current

Operations Manager

Rosie began working with N2N in the 1990s, leading a weekly worship service. She was in a small group which served dinner once a month. Later, she was asked to lead the Thrift Store, until it was closed in 2016. She retired from her job in 2015, and was thus able to dedicate more time to N2N. Since then, she has worked as needed, and currently serves as the Operations Manager. As a member of the board, she is the Treasurer.
Rosie is a native gardener, amateur pianist, and a Royals fan. She has a degree from Saint Paul's School of Theology, and still likes to read theology, as well as Charles Dickens.

From:

To:

Lloyd Warren

June, 2024

current

Cook

Lloyd had been a frequent visitor at n2n for a year or two before joining the staff of n2n. While a guest, Lloyd was always willing to help with whatever needed to be done. When the need arose for us to replace our cook, we offered the position to Lloyd and he accepted. In addition to planning, preparing and serving meals, Lloyd serves as a back up to Greg Parr for opening and closing. We are glad Lloyd is part of n2n! Below, in his words, is his bio:
"So thankful! First of all, thank God, Neighbor 2 Neighbor and their team and everyone. Now about myself - hard worker, understanding and fair with a caring heart."

From:

To:

Reverend Dr. Carlotta Boles

2022

current

Case Manager

Dr. Boles came to Neighbor 2 Neighbor when our previous case manager left. She had known Greg Parr, so knew what we do and for whom. Having Dr. Boles with us is a blessing for n2n and for the guests she helps each day. We are blessed to have her as a part of n2n.

"I am Pastor Dr. Carlotta Boles born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. My doctorates are in Faith Based Counseling and Philosophy. I became ordained in 2006. I love working with people and have been doing so for over 25 years. My hobbies are writing music and singing. I have been married to a lovely man for 30 years. I thank God for my blessings."

From:

To:

Keisha Rowland

January, 2019

current

Meal Supervisor

Ms. Keisha serves as our meal supervisor, ensuring our guests have coffee, sugar, creamer, sack lunches and anything else they may need. Her passion and dedication to n2n is evident each and every day. We are blessed to have her with us. Following is her bio in her own words:
"I came to Neighbor 2 Neighbor about 5 years ago. Just visiting and getting a sack lunch. Then I became a volunteer."
We are glad Ms. Keisha is with us and that we are blessed by her dedication!

In the early 1990's, persons in need came to the Westport United Methodist Church asking for money for food. Rather than giving them money, two of the women from the church made peanut butter sandwiches and put them in a sack along with snack food for persons who were hungry. Later, other services were added. A member of the church advisory board at the time observed that "we are offering help, neighbor to neighbor". Hence, the name Neighbor2Neighbor (N2N 501c3 legal name) was given to the program.

In 2004, the focus on providing "radical hospitality" became instilled in every activity and program. It continues to serve as our foundation today.

In May of 2007, Neighbor2Neighbor was incorporated as N2N, a 501(c)(3) corporation with contributions to be tax-deductible. A formal board of directors was established.

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PROSPERITY and GROWTH

Over the next 7 years, N2N grew and expanded services to include a very active and vibrant thrift store, food pantry and a part time social worker/case manager on staff. She provided referrals and guidance to neighbors who were not aware or understanding of how to get help with the many medical and mental health services opportunities for the under-privileged. The case manager service continues at N2N today. During that time period, N2N was serving over 100 individuals for each meal service of breakfast and lunch as well as a similar number accessing our thrift store.

By 2014, N2N had outgrown the modest kitchen service space provided at the Westport United Methodist Church (now known as Revolution church). Additional services, such as job training and mentorship programs were being contemplated. Due to the "clientele" N2N brought into the neighborhood, Westport United Methodist Church asked us to leave. N2N purchased nearby an old daycare building to establish a base of operations but had to abandon the plan upon objections from the neighborhood

SLOW RECOVERY to a NEW DIRECTION

In January 2016, N2N made arrangements with the Mary Kelly Center, a former Kansas City Missouri School at 51st and Garfield, KCMO, to establish operations in its cafe.

At Mary Kelly Center, Neighbor2Neighbor had seen the slow but steady return of many of its Westport neighbors as well as the discovery of many new families and individuals in the nearby area.

While at Mary Kelly Center, we continued to provide meals services (breakfast and lunch, limited social work and limited clothing access. As we did not have a permanent space, the task of setting up and taking down our equipment each day proved cumbersome.

As Mary Kelly Center was heading in a new direction, we again found ourselves looking for a new home.

YET MORE CHANGE...

That home was found at Mount Washington Missionary Baptist Church and 3551 Wabash, KCMO. We began operations on March 1, 2018.

Initial services were a continental breakfast, a hot lunch, clothes closet and hygiene supplies and our social worker. We soon were up to our service of 100 + guests per day and growing

During the Pandemic in 2020 - 2021, we restricted our meal service to a sack lunch and coffee during our operating hours of 9-12, M-F.

Then in July 2023, just as N2N was seeing recovery from the Pandemic, Mount Washington became the victim of an arson fire. Once again, just like those we served, N2N was without a home.... Closing was never an option. So, N2N continued to provide sack lunches to our neighbors in need from a tent in Mount Washington parking lot through October.

WITH DETERMINATION AND DEDICATION

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In October 2023, N2N found a new home and partner in the St. Paul's Presbyterian Church. Located on the corner of Benton Blvd and Victor Street, it has become our base of operations today. Despite a less convenient location 16and limited facilities, we are still providing meals for up to many guests each day while returning our services of substance abuse treatment referrals, case management, and a thrift store for clothing and hygiene kits. This will not be our final home because our vision has never changed. But wherever we are - we bring radical hospitality and a passion to help to whoever comes through our doors.

STAFFING

We have a dedicated Executive Director, a lead volunteer, a case manager and a dedicated cook who serve as the cornerstones of our service team in addition to many volunteers from participating churches.

IN CONCLUSION

A member of the clergy for a supporting church was recently overheard saying that God must want N2N to survive and serve after seeing N2N still kicking after overcoming so many obstacles. We believe that to be true. We have acquired the same resilience as those who come through our doors. There is so much still to do.

It is our hope N2N will continue to be known for our radical hospitality. We will continue to treat all who come through our doors as neighbors. We will continue to provide meals to them.

While providing daily needs is critical for survival, true hope lies in the ability of those we serve to return to independence, confidence and a healthy sense of self-worth and value.

That, then, has become our mission.