Mission Updates :: December 2025

:: Season of Hope

Thank You for Showing Up for KC Families

Because of your incredible support, every family served by CAPACares will receive a Basket of Hope this winter. These baskets are more than just a gift, they send a message of care, dignity, and community connection during a time that can feel overwhelming for many.

Thank you to everyone who donated baskets and gift cards, spread the word, and shared encouragement along the way! A special "thank you" to Cherry Pickers Marketing, the Eastern Jackson County Morning Rotary, Flooring and More Lee's Summit, the Fort Osage School District Central Office, JB Warranties, MailWorks KC, Moss Printing, Revive Church, State Street, area Target stores, and so many more for showing up for Baskets of Hope in a big way!

You helped us continue a tradition that helps families feel seen, supported, and valued at the end of the year and we truly couldn’t do this without you.

:: Make a Lasting Impact

Your End-of-Year Gift Helps Kids Heal

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on everything your support has made possible, from trauma-informed therapy to education and support that strengthen families. And we’re also looking ahead.

Your year-end gift helps ensure families can access support when they need it, not months down the road. It fuels therapy sessions, prevention education, parent support, and all the other things CAPACares does to keep kids safe and families connected.

If our mission resonates with you, please consider making a tax-deductible gift before December 31.

Together, we can step into 2026 with hope, compassion, and the shared knowledge that every child deserves a safe and joyful future.

:: Tips for a Peaceful Season

Emotional Regulation During the Holidays

Christian Horton, LMSW - CAPACares Therapist

While often filled with excitement and joy, the holiday season can also bring feelings of stress, overwhelm, and fluctuating emotions. During this time, it is not uncommon for children and adults to become emotionally dysregulated. As families navigate this year’s winter season, here are some tips and strategies for healthy emotional regulation.

Here are some quick and easy strategies:

• Create quiet space. A “calm corner,” sensory tools, or simply a consistent place to unwind can help kids (and adults) settle their nervous systems.
• Keep a simple holiday routine. Even a loose structure provides comfort and predictability when schedules shift.
• Use coping tools. Techniques like box breathing, guided imagery, or the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise (pictured above) can help regulate overwhelming emotions.
• Make time for creativity and movement. Art, music, child-led play, or safe winter activities like sledding or skating can bring joy while also supporting emotional balance.

:: Funder Feature

Community Services League

This month, we want to highlight our long-standing funding partner, Community Services League (CSL). CSL’s commitment to stabilizing families through housing, employment services, financial coaching, and community support goes hand in hand with CAPACares’ mission of preventing child abuse and creating safe, strong, resilient families.

We are deeply grateful for CSL’s belief in CAPACares and our shared vision for a community that supports all families.

:: 2025 Sponsors & Mission Partners

Leading the Way to a Safer Community