KCRM News Feed

Congratulations to our executive director, Rev. Joe Colaizzi, on receiving the "Second Mile Award" from the Kansas City District Church of the Nazarene for 25 years of service leading the Kansas City Rescue Mission! Here are Joe and family after receiving the award.

Read our latest blog entry! Jesus, the Homeless Man.

Little ones attending Vacation Bible School at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church took KCRM’s G2:10 Challenge in June!

Youth from Kingsland, Texas, serenaded KCRM while volunteering in our kitchen during lunch. Some of the group, a part of Adventures in Missions, helped prepare lunch while others braved intense heat and tall weeds to work on KCRM’s garden.  “They helped us find the cucumbers and watermelon!” Volunteer Coordinator Juliann Hansen enthused.

KCRM’s nurse, Liz Preston, noted an upswing in severe sunburns, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.  She is requesting ball caps, sun block, aloe vera gel and hydrocortisone to help treat future patients.  “A simple ball cap is a good sunburn deterrent,” Liz says.  To help meet this need, bring donations to 1520 Cherry Street, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

KCRM's first "Works in Progress" First Friday event of this summer was a great success! 238 attended, not counting around 50 volunteers, artists and staff combined. You helped us build TP Tower! 5500 rolls of toilet paper was collected -- more than half our goal! The tower reached almost 20 feet by the end of the evening. Thanks to ALL who pariticipated! See the photos!

Friday, June 4, KCTV 5's Iris Hermosillo broadcast live from KCRM to promote the Mission's First Friday's Art Show and our TP Tower. The station invited viewers to come down to KCRM and join in our effort to collect 10,500 rolls of toilet paper--a value of around $6,500! "KCRM uses around 10,500 rolls of TP each year," said Development Officer Julie Larocco. With the money we save, we'll be able to invest even more in the lives of the homeless and our C-COR residents." Larocco estimates the tower will be around 24-feet tall. Click here to watch.

Follow a trail of socks from Georgia to the Kansas City Rescue Mission.

KCRM Helps Meet The Need for Christmas in Excelsior Springs

Cameron Church of the Nazarene Builds a TP Teepee for KCRM!

Kansas City Rescue Mission steps up efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle to save money and resources in a tough economy

Why Do We Exist?

The landmarks in life often spark reflection and feelings of gratitude. As we celebrate the Kansas City Rescue Mission’s 60th year of service, I find myself thanking God constantly for the opportunity to be part of a ministry offering a hand of hope to the hungry and homeless. I’ve also paused to consider why KCRM remains a strong, vital resource in our city — why we exist today.

Emblazoned on walls throughout KCRM are posters declaring our mission, vision and values. These statements are more than mere words; they are guideposts to keep our staff and volunteers walking together on the right path. They declare who we are, what we hope to see happen and what standards we uphold in our ministry.

This year is a double landmark for me personally. It marks both KCRM’s 60th anniversary and my 25th year to serve as executive director. Over these years I’ve been privileged to work alongside hundreds of staff and thousands of volunteers and donors to serve countless hurting people. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been completely fulfilling. I did not find a job at KCRM — I found my calling.

I am blessed beyond measure to be called to a ministry coupling my passion with my God-given talents. And I am blessed to serve with a team of committed, compassionate responders who share my passion to lift up the fallen. More than anything, it is my joy to both observe and participate in the life-changing power of the Gospel.

That’s why I’m here, and that is why the Kansas City Rescue Mission exists.

Thank you for your friendship

Sincerely,
Rev. Joe Colaizzi
Executive Director