IN THIS ISSUE Save the Date No Place Like Home 2021 Pride Haven Opens, Welcomes New Staff, FAQ Donor Story Kathleen Kunkler Alhaven Nears Opening Expected Move-In January 2021 HomeComing Goes Virtual Raises Nearly $70,000 Board Member Profile Heather Bradley-Geary SAVE THE DATE - No Place Like Home SAVE, Inc. invites you to No Place Like Home on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. This year's event will feature Jeanne White-Ginder as our featured speaker. White-Ginder will share with us the story of her son Ryan White, who was born with hemophilia and contracted AIDS after receiving a contaminated dosage of Factor VIII, a blood clotting product. In December 1984, Ryan was given six months to live at just age 13. With stigma and fear surrounding the disease at an all-time high, Ryan was banned from attending public school. With his mother's support, Ryan fought for his right to attend school and through their fight, Ryan and his story became more well-known. Ryan's story captured the attention and hearts of people worldwide. Congress named the Ryan White System of Care in Ryan's honor. Ryan died in April 1990, one month before his high school graduation. Since Ryan's death, Jeanne White-Ginder has continued to share their story, promoting education about the disease. Her hope is to make the world a more compassinate and caring place for those living with HIV/AIDS and we are honored to have her speak at our event. Save the Date for May 12, 2021! More event details coming soon.

Pride Haven Opens, Welcomes New Staff Members

PRIDE Haven is officially open! Opening its doors in January of 2020, PRIDE Haven is SAVE, Inc.'s newest facility. With PRIDE Haven, SAVE meets an unmet need in our community: offering support for young people facing homelessness aged 18-24. Since 2014, the total number of young adults experiencing homelessness in our community has increased by 32%. PRIDE Haven offers an encouraging accepting environment to all. We are proud to announce that PRIDE Haven has successfully connected all residents who visited PRIDE Haven from January through October to permanent housing solutions. PRIDE Haven has welcomed five members to its staff. Scout DiSimio serves as PRIDE Haven's Residential Program Manager. She notes her excitement about joining PRIDE Haven: "I'm so proud to be able to work with youth and transition-aged adults. As a member of the LGBTQ community who has previously experienced homelessness, I hope to impact others and enable them to accomplish their goals."  PRIDE Haven's case management team includes Leslie Pope and Kara Marti. "I'm excited to be a part of a team whose purpose is the betterment of youth in marginalized communities," Pope says of joining PRIDE Haven. Marti notes the daily work to be rewarding: "Every day is different. Our staff is great and the opportunity to help young people takes on a new and valuable meaning every day.  Three life skills workers, Destiny Allen, Deontia Brown and Vincent Frazier round out PRIDE Haven's staff team. Allen is thrilled to continue working with youth. "To help people in any way I can, no matter the person or situation is one of the best parts about his job." Brown has been working with youth for over 15 years and shares much of the same sentiments: "I enjoy helping people pursue progress to success in their lives."

Is PRIDE Haven only for LGBTQIA+ youth? No. Any young person, aged 18-24, is welcome at PRIDE Haven regardless of sexual orientation. We are welcoming and affirming to everyone. Where is PRIDE Haven located? PRIDE Haven is at 3109 Campbell St. This location is the location of SAVE, Inc.'s original building - SAVE Home - and was renovated in 2019. It is located one block west of the 31st and Troost bus stop. When is PRIDE Haven open? Our regular business hours are Monday - Saturday, 9:00am to 9:00pm. From December 1-23, PRIDE Haven will have temporary business hours of Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 7:00pm. What services does PRIDE Haven offer? PRIDE Haven offers supportive staff and case management services, outreach and connection to resources, transportation, healthy meals (lunch & dinner), shower & laundry facilities, computer access, a place to rest & relax and weekly support groups. How can I get in touch with PRIDE Haven? You can contact PRIDE Haven by calling 816-931-0602. You can also follow PRIDE Haven on Facebook and Instagram @pridehavenkc Donor Story My history with SAVE, Inc goes back to the 90s. The AIDS crisis was in full swing; in KC, we were coming to grips with what it meant for our gay community and those at risk. There were 4 ASO’s at the time providing healthcare, food, programming and housing. It was always shocking to me what this little gem of an organization could do and how we would provide safe housing for these individuals who were sick and needed the stability of home. We realized very early Housing is Healthcare. Like most things, it started with a party. My direct involvement started as we threw a party, Corroboree, at the Zoo for SAVE, Inc. that became quite the event. I became more involved, then a bit obsessed with what SAVE, Inc was able to accomplish and provide for people. Once I got to know the tenants and their stories, it became very clear I was drawn to get much more involved. Lucky for me, I did. My personal evolution with SAVE tracked with the evolution and growth of the organization. A few years ago, they realized a pivot was needed, and they broadened their net to include mentally challenged, but still at-risk individuals. Most recently, and something I’m so proud of is providing services for youth. What started as a simple house for young men to live out their lives in dignity, has grown into an integral part of Kansas City’s medical landscape to provide not only housing, but security and hope for a beautiful quilt of our clients. I’m proud and so grateful for my relationship and past work with SAVE, Inc, and can’t wait to see how they continue to grow and serve our city and community. -Kathleen Kunkler

Board Member Profile Heather Bradley-Geary Director of Supportive Housing, The Vecino Group SAVE, Inc. Board President Years on Board: 3 What is your favorite service SAVE, Inc. provides and why? PRIDE Haven is my favorite program at SAVE, Inc. SAVE, Inc. leadership saw the need in the community and pivoted an existing program to best serve the needs of the community. Every time I spend time at PRIDE Haven, I am proud to be a member of the SAVE, Inc. board. My favorite program to begin soon is Alhaven. I am proud of SAVE, Inc. for developing a 50-unit community to best serve the Kansas City community, stepping outside of their comfort zone and serving the Kansas City community with an unmet need of supportive housing for transition-aged youth. What is something you would want Kansas Citians to know about SAVE, Inc. that you have learned as a board member? I want the Kansas City community to know that SAVE, Inc. stays true to their mission and makes all decisions based on their guiding star, providing permanent housing to the most vulnerable in our community. Why do you serve on the SAVE, Inc. board? I serve on the board of SAVE, Inc. because I believe it is one of the best non-profits in Kansas City. SAVE, Inc. serves the most in need in our community, through housing first, meaning they serve with no questions asked. I believe strongly that we will not end homelessness as a larger community, unless all agencies practice housing first, providing housing and services without stipulation. What do you like to do in your free time? I serve on two other boards, the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness and the National Association of Social Workers-MO Chapter. I am an adjunct Professor at The University of Kansas, Social Welfare program. I am also a volunteer youth pastor. Most importantly, I am a Mom of two amazing kiddos, Bre and Micah Geary. They keep me busy on the track, court and field. I am also the proud partner of Brian Geary, who dedicates his time to the Olathe School Board and Olathe community. Alhaven Nears Opening After over a year of construction, Alhaven is nearing completion! Alhaven is SAVE, Inc.'s newest permanent housing development being built in partnership with The Vecino Group. Once built, Alhaven will provide 50 brand-new units of affordable housing to low-income populations. Twelve of those units will be set aside for transition-aged youth, ages 18-24, with a medical diagnosis. The name Alhaven combines the words 'altruism' and 'haven.' Alhaven's shared spaces will include a conference room and fitness center. In addition, Alhaven will have an on-site supportive specialist, community health worker, pharmaceutical services and an exam room. Alhaven is now leasing! Contact 816-912-0333 or visit wearealhaven.com for leasing information. Stay tuned for details regarding an early 2021 housewarming and ribbon cutting celebration! Follow SAVE, Inc. on social media for more Alhaven updates. HomeComing 2020: House Party Raises Nearly $70,000 SAVE, Inc.'s annual HomeComing event was held Saturday October 24 in a brand-new virtual format. Over 200 attendees gathered (nationwide!) to share in SAVE, Inc.'s story and be part of the annual event. Attendees were treated to local entertainment ranging from funk music to club music to jazz, with over 40 Kansas City artists contributing their talents. The highlight of the evening was sneak peeks into SAVE, Inc. with a virtual tour of PRIDE Haven, a construction tour of Alhaven and hearing directly from SAVE clients. This year's event raised $69,901! SAVE, Inc. would like to thank you for all the support in this year's HomeComing event!

SAVE, Inc. | saveinckc.org

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