FIGHTING HOMELESSNESS
A Place for Long-Term Change
At Shalom House, men experiencing homelessness have a safe, dignified place to eat a hot meal, shower, sleep and, most importantly, engage in long-term programming that will change the trajectory of their lives leading them out of poverty once and for all. Shalom House Men’s Transitional Living Program offers support and resources to help vulnerable men find stability, permanent housing, self-sufficiency and hope for the future.
Following an extensive renovation of Sanctuary of Hope, Shalom House Men’s Transitional Living Program was relocated and opened in the spring of 2023.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Dinner Ministry
No children under the age of 18 can volunteer at Shalom due to the individual circumstances and history of the men we are serving at Shalom.
If you are interested in preparing a meal for Shalom House residents, click below for guidelines and sign-up info.
*Please note that volunteers must be age 18+ and willing to prepare and drop off or sit with and serve four people. Children cannot come to the property, even if accompanied by an adult. Slots are available Monday-Friday, and food must be dropped off between 5-5:30pm.
Snow Ball 2023 Feature Film - A Focus on Shalom House Men's Transitional Living Program
Shalom House Men's Transitional Living Program
Click "play" to watch video.
Addressing the Need
- Kansas City, Kansas has the second highest rate of homelessness, making up 20% of the metro area homeless population.*
- Kansas City, Kansas has only 6% of the available facilities to provide immediate housing and programming to move people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.*
- Shalom House addresses the needs of homeless men who are not able to be served fully by existing shelters for women, children and youth in the Kansas City, Kansas area.
*Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness (GKC-CEH) report on the state of housing and homelessness in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Shalom House History
For more than 30 years, Shalom House has offered shelter and hospitality to homeless men in Kansas City, Kansas. Originally started as a Catholic Worker House, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas assumed operation of the original house in 2008 and offered services to up to 24 chronically homeless men until 2021. The house was a safe place to sleep, eat, do laundry, and find both support and companionship. In 2023, the Shalom House Men’s Transitional Living Program was relaunched at the Sanctuary of Hope facility.
Constructed in 1898, the Sanctuary of Hope building has traditionally been a place for healing. Over its long history, it has served as an asylum for the mentally ill, a nursing home for the elderly, a shelter for Vietnamese refugees and eventually a spiritual retreat center. The 27,000-square-foot facility is nestled in the heart of inner Kansas City, Kansas, on 33 acres, offering outdoor space for exercise, reflection and prayer.
Shalom House now offers a 12-month program supporting men experiencing homelessness, and giving them a path to self-sufficiency through education, employment services and other support ministries. The program helps these men successfully transition to permanent housing.
The name, Shalom, comes from the Hebrew word for peace, harmony and well-being.
Hope Stories and Blog Posts about Shalom House Men's Transitional Living Program
How A Shalom House Resident Changed His Life for the Better
Shalom House Transitional Living Program tackles the root causes of homelessness and transforms lives for the better! Former resident, Ryan, shares his story in this
Shalom House Meal Ministry Offers Mighty Rewards
A Special to The Leaven “I love to cook and I love to give,” said Joanna Marin as she poured homemade salsa into bowls at
Shalom House: A Refuge for Men Experiencing Homelessness
Donald, who was homeless and unemployed, was among the first men welcomed into our new Shalom House Men’s Transitional Living Program this past spring. Interview
Volunteer With Us
Do you want to make a difference in our community? Sign up to volunteer! Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas depends on our dedicated volunteers to provide much-needed services to our neighbors in need.
