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This month, JVS clients, volunteers, and staff came together for one of our favorite annual traditions: Refugee Day at the Zoo! It was a joyful day full of connection, exploration, and celebration of the resilience and diversity of our community. Over 200 clients came!
Thanks to the incredible support of our volunteers and team, refugee families had the chance to experience the Kansas City Zoo - many for the very first time. Children and parents alike were filled with wonder as they explored the exhibits, discovering elephants, penguins, lions, and more. For some, it was a fun family outing; for others, a meaningful introduction to life in Kansas City.
Midway through the day, we gathered for a picnic lunch under the trees - sharing food, stories, and laughter. Lunch was generously underwritten by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Brookside - thank you, St. Andrew’s!
Refugee Day at the Zoo isn’t just about seeing animals - it’s about belonging. It’s about creating shared moments of joy, building new friendships, and showing our newest neighbors that they are seen, supported, and valued.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this day so special. Enjoy a few snapshots of the smiles, the wonder, and the community spirit that made it unforgettable.
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On July 4, 2025, the OBBBA (H.R. 1, “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”) was signed into law with sweeping impacts on refugees, newcomers, and other marginalized populations. The nearly 900-page budget bill largest and most immediate changes include:
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Refugees and humanitarian entrants are no longer eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). For individuals who have adjusted status to Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), new work requirements. Implementation date is unclear because, as of August 25, 2025, the Federal government has yet to release the SNAP guidelines on the eligibility of non-citizens.
- Refugees and humanitarian entrants are cut off from Medicaid, Medicare, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Affordable Care Act access, beginning October 1, 2026.
- $170.7 billion in additional funding to dramatically increase immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation actions, which in turn strains an already overwhelmed immigration legal system while increasing fear among immigrants across status.
The Administration has issued sweeping measures to revoke legal status across broad groups, including:
- Terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for several countries, including Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan (although challenged in court),
- Suspending the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan & Venezuelan (CHNV) Humanitarian Parole program and failing to reauthorize parole for Afghan humanitarian parolees.
These measures mean that people who came here through legal pathways are now subject to deportation and have lost their ability to work. JVS is taking practical action and has formed a Food Security Working Group which is holding community meetings, providing clear communication, and preparing to provide food assistance when changes are implemented.
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Partner Spotlight: St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
JVS is grateful to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for the many ways they have supported JVS this year!
St. Andrew’s was a generous first-time sponsor of Global Table in May and hosted a clothing drive this summer that resulted in hundreds of items of clothing. Volunteers then came to JVS to sort, hang, and distribute the clothing. (While volunteers were working in the clothing closet, one of the members was able to dust off her French and assisted a French-speaking client read a flyer in the lobby!)
Most recently, St. Andrew’s sponsored Refugee Day at the Zoo, underwriting lunch for the 200+ clients, volunteers, and staff who participated. And speaking of volunteers, several St. Andrew’s members served as guides to JVS families.
Thank you, St. Andrew’s Episcopal for all of the ways that you create a warm and welcoming community for the individuals we serve!
| | Do you have a group of friends, colleagues, or classmates looking for a group volunteer project? Email volunteer@jvskc.org to express interest and learn more! | | This past month has been filled with events that capture the welcoming spirit of Kansas City and JVS. | | |
Ethnic Enrichment Festival
The 46th Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival at Swope Park was filled with music, dance, food, and merchandise from around the world. JVS enjoyed the weekend by talking with festival goers about our work, the communities we serve, and how we are working together to create a welcoming KC!
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JVS Give Back Day at Tiki Taco
The JVS Young Professionals Board thanks everyone who enjoyed tacos, queso, and more at Tiki Taco for JVS Give Back Day. Nearly $500 was raised to support our work.
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Prairie Village Labor Day of Service to benefit JVS
Thank you to the City of Prairie Village Diversity Committee for hosting a winter warmth drive and day of service in support of JVS. Over 150 new and gently used coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and scarves were donated by Prairie Village residents and packed into sets by volunteers on Labor Day.
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Katherine Norman
Communications Manager
Katherine (Katie) is the Communications Manager at JVS. Outside of work, she loves going to coffee shops like Cafe Cà Phê, hanging out with friends and family, playing Ultimate Frisbee and reading. At work, she oversees JVS' communications and marketing - including social media and this newsletter! People who care about this work give her hope. If one wish could come true for Katie, it would be a world with no violence where people can live their lives peacefully.
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September 22 & 29 - Global Table To Go!
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to take a culinary trip around the world! Global Table To Go is back this year featuring two immigrant-owned restaurants - Iraqi cuisine from Tasty Baghdad in Gladstone (September 22) and Ethiopian cuisine from Selamta in Lenexa (September 29). And new this year, each meal will be accompanied by homemade desserts from a local Syrian baker!
Hosted by the JVS Young Professionals Board, the event is an extension of Welcome Week and an excellent opportunity to support the refugees and immigrants who make Kansas City a vibrant and diverse community.
To learn more, check out the menus, and purchase meal packages, click HERE.
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October 25 - Volunteer Information Session - 10a.m.
Join us to learn more about volunteering with JVS! It’s a great way to make an impact in your community and be in fellowship with people who care. RSVP or inquire by emailing our Volunteer Manager, Souleymane Adam, at volunteer@jvskc.org.
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Give
JVS relies on the generosity of the community to engage, encourage and empower our newest neighbors. Your financial gift directly impacts the resilient, hopeful, and hard-working individuals we serve.
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Donate Goods
Donations of new or gently used items are always helpful for our new neighbors. As the seasons change, so do the needs of our clients. Help prepare our clients for colder temperatures by donating new and gently used winter warmth items (coats, hats/scarves, gloves/mittens). Please make sure that items are clean and ready for immediate distribution. Drop off donations at JVS Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Share
The best things in life are shared. If you are passionate about supporting refugees and immigrants and want to share that passion with your friends and family, JVS wants to help. Gather your friends or family for a JVS house party and we’ll be there to talk about our work, share ways that individuals can get involved, and answer questions. It’s an easy and fun way to introduce your networks to the work of JVS! Email development@jvskc.org for more information and schedule an event.
Follow
Stay up to date on all that’s happening at JVS by following JVS on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Volunteer
Whether you’re looking for a one-time opportunity or for something more long-term, there’s a volunteer opportunity for you at JVS. Do you have a special skill to share? Are you a member of a group that is looking for a way to give back? Email volunteer@jvskc.org to learn more and get involved.
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