Our Men's Center Transforms Lives

Each year, more than 1,500 men seek services at Shelter KC’s Men’s Center. In a single year, we provide an average of 88,000 meals and 36,000 nights of shelter to men who are hungry, homeless, and hurting. At Shelter KC, we offer freedom from the past and hope for the future!

Led by licensed counselors, ordained ministers, case workers, and others passionate about seeing men live a transformed life, the Men’s Center offers:

• Short-term emergency homeless shelter
• Case management toward housing program
• Long-term  discipleship & recovery program

Short-Term Emergency Homeless Shelter

Our 60+ bed shelter houses men in Kansas City every night of the year. Those who live on the streets consider us one of the safest shelters in Kansas City. Our promise is to treat each man who walks through our doors with dignity.

Our nightly services for homeless men include:

• Bed (with an antibacterial mattress and pillow, sheets, and blanket)
• Shower and hygiene supplies
• Nutritious, well-balanced meal (served family-style in our dining room)
• Chapel services
• One-on-one counseling & chaplaincy services
• Clothing
• Laundry service
• Medical referrals

Shelter Launch

Shelter KC offers homeless men two weeks of emergency shelter. After that time, they are encouraged to join the Shelter Launch program. This program connects shelter guests with a life coach to create a launch plan with the resources they need to obtain independent housing including: physical, mental, and spiritual health; finances, legal issues, job search, and housing search.

Respite Center

The Respite Center provides six beds for guests needing short-term stays after a medical procedure. The one and two person bedrooms and community areas are adjacent to ADA compliant bathroom and shower facilities. This space allows individuals to rest and recover with dignity and appropriate accommodations during their stay at the Shelter. Guests are encouraged to join one of our other programs or move into safe housing once they are healed.

Renew Mental Health Center

Overnight guest experiencing mental health needs may stay in the Renew Mental Health Center and have access to supportive services. The Renew Center includes 14 beds, a living room area, bathroom facilities, and a meeting space for partner agencies to facilitate mental health care services. The space is separate from other overnight guests and is designed with Trauma Informed Design principles for secure and therapeutic services. Once a guest is stable they are encouraged to join our Shelter Launch or Recovery program, or to move into safe housing.

Long-Term Recovery Program

Shelter KC offers the Christian Community of Recovery (C-COR) to men in our emergency overnight homeless shelter who struggle with a life-controlling addiction. C-COR is a trust and responsibility-based recovery environment and is designed to disciple men toward a committed and sober life in Jesus Christ. We offer a supportive community, classroom instruction, pastoral counseling, work therapy, recovery groups, and case management to help program participants launch from Shelter KC into a healthy and sustainable Christian life.

Prior to joining, men must complete the following steps:

• application
• interview
• fulfill basic healthcare responsibilities
• assessment of legal situation (including resolving any warrants)
• acquire ID
• assessment of financial situation

Program Components

Our goal with C-COR is to help men receive from God a Christian life within a healthy community, for a lifetime of recovery. This program is provided for 9 months (covering the first 3 phases) and then up to 1 additional year (“Transition” phase).

This service includes:

• Daily Schedule
• Weekly one-on-one meetings with Recovery Coach
• Classroom Instruction
• Work Therapy
• On-site and off-site support groups, including 12-step groups
• Weekly House Meeting
• Local Church Involvement
• Random Drug & Alcohol Tests
• Participate in Morning Devotions, Monday – Friday
• Weekly Chapel Service 

Pastoral Counseling and Case Management

Allows men to access the education and experience of people who have helped many others accomplish their recovery goals. In weekly sessions, a Counselor helps each man discover ways to experience relief from the past and become the person God designed him to be.

Classroom Instruction

General knowledge of Christianity, recovery, and skills for living and working are shared. Additional classroom work in the Learning Center may be necessary to improve language or math skills. 

Work Therapy

Work Therapy provides an opportunity to serve God by serving others and is an important part of the recovery process. We believe that work is a good & biblical responsibility, and provides dignity to the individuals in our program. Valuable skills like attendance, perseverance, conflict resolution, effective communication, and initiative are gained through Work Therapy - critical skills for the workplace.

4 Phases of the Recovery Program

Our recovery program consists of four phases. We design an individual recovery plan for each man who joins our program. Men who wish to participate in the C-COR community must apply and be accepted. After joining, members must actively and faithfully participate in all of the various activities agreed upon in their recovery plan.

Phase 1: Preparation

The preparation phase allows men to prepare for the hard work of deep, life-changing recovery. It’s a time for us to assess and address immediate physical needs or mental health problems. It’s a time for men to become familiar with Shelter KC and C-COR, and to determine if they’re ready. Recovery is not a quick process. This phase includes:

• Classes focused on life skills, God/Gospel/Christian Community, the soft skills of being a good team player / employee, and introductory addiction recovery material.
• Complete basic Bible study curriculum, Scripture memorization, write response papers based on discipleship videos and Scripture passages, etc.
• Find a church home
• Acquire “sponsor” relationship for addiction recovery
• Acquire “mentor” relationship for spiritual & life support
• Pass a drug & alcohol test halfway through the phase, and at the end of the phase.

With the support of C-COR staff, a man will advance to the Discipleship 1 phase.

Preparation Phase Length: 13 weeks.

Phase 2: Discipleship 1

As a man enters Phase 2, he will design a course of study with a Recovery Specialist to identify core issues – those that lead towards destruction. At the same time, he will continue to embrace the new life of long-term recovery.

Phase 2 requires a commitment to accomplishing objectives and completing goals. It’s a continual process of setting new objectives and goals within the context of the Community. This phase includes the same expectations as the Preparation phase as well as:

• Begin the “Genesis Process” addiction recovery curriculum via one-on-one meetings with his Recovery Coach.
• Classes on discipleship, shame, sexual purity, healthy relationships, employment preparation, fatherhood & marriage, and addiction recovery.
• Verse memorization
• Pass a drug & alcohol test halfway through the phase, and at the end of the phase.

Discipleship 1 Phase Length: minimum of 26 weeks and a maximum of 52 weeks.

Phase 3: Discipleship 2

This phase includes:

• A plan to either work, continue education, or move into independent housing must also be part of the plan
• Pass a drug & alcohol test halfway through the phase, and at the end of the phase.

Discipleship 2 Phase Length: 13 weeks

Phase 4: Transition

This phase includes:

• Complete tech/trade school training (if applicable)
• Find a job (if not already receiving outside income)
• Create and maintain a balanced budget
• Find housing
• Pass a drug & alcohol test halfway through the phase, and at the end of the phase.

Transition Phase Length: up to 1 year

Alumni Mininstry

An alumni program extends the opportunity for men to receive continued support from Shelter KC through Case Management and Alumni Events. Alumni are encouraged to:

• Volunteer
• Offer hope to others by speaking about how God has changed your life (during class, chapel, 12-Step Meetings, etc.)
• Participate in Alumni Gatherings

How do I enroll in the recovery program?

1. Do intake into our emergency shelter, where you will be assigned to a Life Coach.
2. Meet with your Life Coach, who will explain the program, provide you with an application form, and arrange an interview with the Program's Lead Recovery Coach.