Causes: Civil Rights, Food, Human Services, Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers, Seniors, Seniors Rights

Mission: Shepherd's Center of Kansas City Central empowers mid-life and older adults to live healthy, engaged and independent lives.

Target demographics: older adults and their caregivers

Geographic areas served: Kansas City Metro

Programs: The Senior Companion Program places seniors 55+ who live at or below the federal financial poverty line with other seniors who need a little extra assistance to remain independent in their own homes. The companions commit to providing at least 15 hours of service each week and for their dedication are paid a small stipend and are reimbursed for their transportation. In 2016,93 companions served 134 families providing 70,994 hours of services at no charge to the client. These hours saved families and taxpayers over $1.5m. The Senior Companion Program at Shepherd's Center of Kansas City Central has a wait list of over 115 families in need of this service. Additional funding is needed to add more companions to serve additional families. The Meals on Wheels program at Shepherd's Center Kansas City Central delivered 45,191 hot nutritious meals to 277 homebound older and disabled adults in 2016.This was possible because of the 146 volunteers who gave 4,270 hours in the kitchen and delivering meals. Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City Central is the second largest home delivered Meals on Wheels site in the Greater Kansas City, Missouri area. Our Medicare Assistance Program helps people who are new to Medicare understand their new insurance and helps them find supplemental insurance that meets their individual needs. In the fall during open enrollment for Part D supplemental insurance our volunteers help people choose the best plan for them. In 2017, our Medicare Counselors saved participants over $450,000.Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City Central has partnered with the Landon Center on Aging at Kansas University to provide phone support to their Link for Care website. We have trained staff who answer calls and help to locate needed services to assist older adults and their caregivers. In November 2017 over 100 volunteers raked the yards of 30 older adults who can no longer do it themselves and cannot afford to pay someone to do it for them. Sometimes it is the little things that we do not think of that make the biggest difference. Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City Central is here to help meet those needs and advocate for older adults.