Mission Updates :: July 2025

:: A Message from Our President and CEO

Celebrating Progress and Perseverance

As we mark the halfway point of this milestone year—CAPA’s 50th anniversary—I’m honored to share the extraordinary impact our team has made in just the first six months of 2025.

With deep gratitude and pride, I reflect on what we’ve accomplished together:

• CAPA’s Counseling Services provided nearly 4,900 hours of trauma-informed therapy to 301 individuals, helping children, adults, and families begin or continue their healing journey.
• Our Community Education team brought vital social-emotional learning to more than 120 elementary students and reached more than 5,000 community members through resource fairs, presentations, and other outreach events. These efforts are essential to preventing abuse before it begins.
• Our Home Visiting program conducted 240 personalized visits to support 75 caregivers and their young children—strengthening families and building protective factors from the start.

One of the most meaningful milestones this year has been the official accreditation of CAPA’s Home Visiting team by the nationally recognized Healthy Families America model. This recognition affirms the high-quality, evidence-based care our team provides to families every day.

In the face of an ever-changing funding landscape, CAPA has shown incredible resilience. We successfully executed our annual Play Like a Kid fundraiser, a joyful and powerful reminder of the importance of hope, healing, and community.



As we continue celebrating our 50th year, we remain grounded in hope, unwavering in our commitment to the community we are honored and privileged to serve.

Thank you for standing with us as we carry this mission forward.

:: Save the Date

50th Anniversary Gala, Presented by Speaks Chapels

The countdown is on! CAPACares’ 50th Anniversary Gala is set for Saturday, October 11, 2025, at The Madrid—and now’s the time to reserve your spot for a front-row seat to a night of fun with purpose.

We’re thrilled to introduce Gala Co-Chairs Megan and Drew Hammer, a sibling duo continuing their family’s legacy of service, and Honorary Chairs, past and present members of the Junior Service League of Independence—CAPA’s founding partner. Alongside our dedicated planning committee, their leadership and enthusiasm are driving the energy and excitement behind this milestone event.

Sponsorships, tables, and tickets are available now, but they won’t last! More than a celebration, our 50th Anniversary Gala is a fun and meaningful way to raise critical funds that support CAPA’s mission as we step into our next chapter.

:: Tips for All Ages

Sunshine and Self Care

Download our “Summer Self-Care Tracker” to help prioritize your well-being. Remember, self-care doesn’t have to be fancy. Take a breath. Soak up a little sun. You’ve got this.

:: Staff Update

Welcome Farrah!

Say hello to the newest member of the CAPACares team! Farrah is our new Operations Manager, and we're so glad she's here! She’s a citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, a first-generation American, and co-founder of 816 Spice Co, a local bakery that celebrates cultural flavor and economic empowerment.

Farrah has a background in finance, nonprofit leadership, and small business, and is deeply committed to Indigenous and immigrant rights, ethical financial stewardship, and culturally grounded support.

:: 2025 Sponsors & Mission Partners

Leading the Way to a Safer Community

We’re still welcoming sponsors and partners for CAPACares’ 50th Anniversary Gala on October 11, 2025. It’s a powerful opportunity to show your support in front of 300+ supporters and friends.

To learn more and secure your spot, please contact Amanda Jackson, VP of Development, at ajackson@capacares.org or 816-252-8388 x 313.

:: Funder Feature

Community Mental Health Fund

The Community Mental Health Fund (CMHF) helps Jackson County residents to get the mental health care they need, even if they don’t have insurance or can’t afford to pay. Each year, they support local nonprofits, like CAPACares, that offer services like therapy for kids and families, crisis help, and support for people who have experienced trauma.

CMHF has a unique "tier-based reimbursement process" wherein organizations set goals and are funded according to their success achieving them. We've received feedback that we excel at both setting measurable, attainable goals and achieving them. The Fund works to make mental health care more equitable by supporting programs that understand and respect the broad spectrum of people living and working in our community.