Shelter KC's Women’s Center

As homeless guests enter our Women’s Center, they are often met with the dignity and respect they may have never experienced before, along with the encouragement to embrace the beauty and vibrant life God intended for them.

Opened in 2013, the Women’s Center is a 20-bed residential recovery facility for single, homeless women located near downtown Kansas City. For our clients, it is more than just a place to stay—it is "home".

With the support of dedicated mentors, case managers, and life coaches, the Women’s Center prioritizes growth, healing, and recovery. Together, by the grace and power of God, we achieve more than we ever could alone.

Women from the Shelter KC Women's ministry walk outside while reading bible

Why the Women’s Center Began

In 2009 and 2010, Shelter KC, then known as Kansas City Rescue Mission (KCRM), conducted three surveys with 27 local social service agencies to confirm a critical gap in services for single, homeless women in Kansas City.

Our findings not only confirmed the need but also revealed that the majority of these women struggled with co-occurring disorders, such as addiction and mental illness. Each year, the Hotline for the Homeless receives thousands of calls from single, homeless women, yet only about 75 beds were available in the city. In response, we opened the Women’s Center on July 15, 2013—a 20-bed facility designed to provide a safe, homelike environment for single, homeless women, offering hope, peace, and security as they work to overcome life’s challenges.

Today, the Women’s Center is empowering women through the Sisters of Recovery program, witnessing transformation every day.

The Sisters of Recovery Program

The Sisters of Recovery program offers homeless women in Kansas City a safe, supportive space to heal, grow, and rebuild their lives. Through life skills classes, one-on-one coaching, and spiritual guidance, women gain the tools needed for recovery, self-reliance, and long-term success. The program focuses on healing trauma, overcoming addiction, and developing essential life skills to empower women to live with hope, dignity, and independence.

Transformation: Women in the program are empowered through classes like Life Skills, Intro to Discipleship 101, and Relapse Prevention. Using Michael Dye’s "The F.A.S.T.E.R. Scale," women learn to recognize patterns that may lead to relapse. The program includes group classes, one-on-one coaching, and leadership development.

Life Coaching and Work Therapy: Our 20-bed home provides a welcoming, safe environment for growth, healing, and accountability. Each guest receives personalized spiritual, addiction, and mental health support. Work Therapy helps rebuild life skills such as time management, attendance, attitude, and initiative.

Case Management: Our case manager connects guests with external resources and supports their transition back into the community. Initially, they assist with obtaining IDs, Medicaid, and medical services. Later, they help develop a housing plan, apply for disability, address credit issues, and find stable housing. The program also fosters continuous learning, offering services like financial planning and customized training to ensure long-term success.

Who is Eligible to Live at the Women’s Center?

The Women’s Center serves homeless women with histories of substance abuse and/or mental health needs seeking hope and healing. Most residents have experienced childhood trauma, which continues into adulthood, often leading to addiction as a means of coping with pain. Women come to us from extreme circumstances such as human trafficking, incarceration, and substance abuse, all seeking relief from suffering. At Shelter KC, we provide a home infused with healing and hope.

It is our joy to serve each woman, treating her with dignity as she heals and takes steps toward freedom.

How Can I Enroll in the Program?

To enroll, follow these steps:

  1. Apply for admission by completing an initial screening and interview. Call us at (816) 348-3287 to get started.

  2. Complete an in-depth intake interview and assessment with our program team.

  3. The program team will assess readiness for admission and notify you within 24 hours.