OUR MISSION:

We offer hope and restoration to people experiencing homelessness by providing safe, dignified, affordable housing and support that empowers them to make positive changes for themselves and their community.

One by One Ministries was founded in 2012, originally as a homeless outreach organization. We went into encampments, under bridges, into the woods…anywhere we could find Kansas City’s unsheltered homeless. As we found and got to know the stories and needs of the people we met, we were able to link them with organizations and resources, and provide advocacy for those seeking to leave the streets. During our first four years of operations, our outreach team helped over a hundred people connect with medical and dental services, behavioral health treatment, addiction treatment/rehab, transportation, employment assistance, legal assistance, housing, veteran services, and finding and reconnecting with family members.

By 2016, the landscape of homeless services in Kansas City was changing, and several organizations had formed their own outreach teams to take their services out to their homeless neighbors. During our four years of outreach work, we repeatedly observed the shortage of affordable, low-barrier housing that was attainable to those seeking to end their homelessness, so providing that became our focus.

The environment and community we offer at our transitional living homes gives people the stepping stone needed to move on to securing more traditional housing. In our two years of operation of our first house, 22 formerly homeless men have called Red Door Refuge home. The majority of those have moved on into their own permanent housing and are still successfully housed today. But the need is great! We currently have a long waiting list of men seeking the kind of flexible, affordable, stable housing we provide. We have plans to open a transitional living home for women in early 2023.