Dear Friends,

KC Shepherd’s Center is thrilled to announce the passage of Jackson County’s Question 1 on November 5th, with a remarkable 57.7% YES to 42.3% NO vote! This landmark victory in a challenging political environment shows that Jackson County voters agree that SENIORS DO COUNT in Jackson County! 

The .05 per $100 assessed property levy secures sustainable funding for senior services in Jackson County—a cause we've all championed tirelessly. The new Jackson County independent citizen Senior Fund board, similar to what the 55 counties in Missouri who already have senior funds, including Platte, Clay, Ray and Bates Counties have had for decades, will be established in 2025 when it will receive the funds from Jackson County. It will spend much of 2025 developing its funding priorities and grant processes with potential grants to senior-serving organizations like KCSC beginning in 2026.

This election success reflects the extraordinary efforts of so many people and organizations that came together to understand and articulate the growing needs of our older population and advocated successfully for the Jackson County Legislature to approve in August putting Question 1 on the ballot November 5, barely 70 days to launch a grassroots campaign to educate the community and ask for a “Yes” vote to create the senior fund that will make a permanent difference for older adults and the organizations that serve them in Jackson County. KCSC is proud to have served on the leadership team with PACE, Jewish Family Services, Mattie Rhodes, Clay County Senior Fund, SPARK and so many others to accomplish this unlikely success in a political and property tax environment both locally and nationally. 

For nearly two years, KC Shepherd's Center has helped lead the Kansas City Seniors Count Coalition of more than 40 organizations working to make this vision a reality. With this incredible victory of achieving sustainable funding in Jackson County for senior services, the coalition will continue its collective efforts to create a much-needed integrated continuum of care and safety net for the growing population of older adults in Kansas City. KC Shepherd’s Center is committed to our important advocacy role to engage older adults in self-determination and promote public policy and funding to create a community where aging is seen as an asset and all older adults are supported in living as independently as possible with support and connection.

With minimal funding, this strong coalition, and our dedicated KC Shepherd’s Center staff, was able to overcome all obstacles and very short public education campaign to achieve this landmark victory for Jackson County Seniors and the organizations that serve them with a truly grassroots movement. This victory would not have been possible without the leadership of Legislators Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton, who co-sponsored the measure; Megan Marshall, who championed it through the Finance and Audit Committee; and our 70 Over 70 honoree, Venessa Huskey.

Together, we did it! This victory is a powerful testament to our collective strength and commitment to making Jackson County a community where everyone can age well with dignity and support.

With gratitude,

Janet Baker, Executive Director