Assistance League Kansas City Fact Sheet 2004-2005

Facts and Figures

FACT SHEET 2004-2005

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE of Kansas City, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and a chapter of NATIONAL ASSISTANCE LEAGUE, has a 22-year history of philanthropic service to the Greater Kansas City community. Over 325 members contributed over 18,600 volunteer hours to serve approximately 9,825 children and adults in 2004-2005.

SERVICES TO COMMUNITY

ASSAULT SURVIVOR KITS^®
- Program Description: Kits that include knit pants, knit top, underwear, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and the book, Recovering from Rape by Linda Ledrey are put together by our volunteers. Because a woman's clothing is usually taken for forensic evidence, these kits offer the first step to recovery after a sexual assault. These kits are delivered to MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) and COVERSA (Collection of Victim Evidence Regarding Sexual Assault) who in turn take them to the local hospitals.
- Serviced in 2004-05: 151 ASSAULT SURVIVOR KITS^® this past year. At this time, Assistance League of Kansas City is the sole provider of these kits for this needed service.
- Program Began: 1992. 1143 Kits have been delivered since the programs inception.
- Cost of Program: $3,681
HUMAN OUTREACH PROJECT
- Program Description: Committee identifies and develops short-term and seasonal programs to meet community needs.
- Serviced in 2004-05: This past year, 69 youths from Synergy Services, in their Mentors for Youth program, were served through the "Adopt an Angel" program. A Christmas tree was put up in the Service Center and paper angels; each with a youth’s name on the back was used as decoration. Volunteers took the angels and purchased gifts for these young people for Christmas.
- Cost of Program: Expenses absorbed by Assistance League of Kansas City volunteers
I'M IN CHARGE
- Program Description: I’m In Charge is a self-care course for elementary children. I’m In Charge focuses on safety in emergency and non-emergency situations when a child is alone at home or away from home. Assistance League of Kansas City provides workbooks, emergency reminders, and an instructional video, “Home Alone”, to public and private school students within the area school districts.
- Serviced in 2004-05:I’m In Charge serviced 5316 students this year. Participating schools include: Excelsior Springs, Kearney, Liberty, Missouri City, North Kansas City, Park Hill, Platte County R-llI, Smithville and one school in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. We also began service this year to the Diocesan Schools of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
- Program Began: 1984. This is our 20th year with this program. This was the ALKC’s first Philanthropic Program and is an even stronger and viable program today.
- Cost of Program: Approx. $12 per kit (workbook, facilitator guide, video, binder & letter). This year’s expenses were $7,867.
OPERATION FOSTER CHILDREN
- Program Description: This program provides assistance to children that are wards of the court and are in foster, relative, kinship, or aftercare in Clay and Platte counties. All requests are made by the child's caseworker.
- Serviced in 2004-05: 125 children were provided with backpacks and school supplies at the beginning of the school year. 78 special requests were granted to families from social workers. Some types of assistance offered included lice shampoo and spray, uniforms for rehab, music lessons, letter jackets, reading programs, braces, yearbook fees, bikes, computer monitor, team fees and equipment, clothing, shoes and community center passes.
- Program Began: 1990. This is our 14th year with this program.
OPERATION HUG^®
- Program Description: OPERATION HUG^® gives comfort in crisis to young traumatized victims by providing teddy bears at the time of an accident, a crime, or disaster.
- Serviced in 2004-05: 3,350 bears were delivered to police departments, medical facilities and hospitals. Hospitals included were: North Kansas City, St. Luke’s, Liberty, Children’s Mercy Barry Road and Creekwood Surgery Center. Police Departments include: Gladstone, Riverside, Northmoor and North Patrol Division on Barry Rd.
- Program Began: 1989. This is our 15th year with this program.
- Cost of Program: $5.52 per bear. This year’s expenses were $18,384.
OPERATION SCHOOL BELL^®
- Program Description: OPERATION SCHOOL BELL^® provides elementary age school children lacking adequate and suitable clothing assistance. Each child has an opportunity to shop in the School Bell Store with a volunteer, trying on clothing, and choosing the outfits they prefer. They receive two pairs of pants, two shirts, a package of six socks, a package of six underwear, a winter hat and gloves, a shoe voucher to Payless Shoe Source, a book of their choice, and a health kit containing shampoo, soap, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste. All the clothing and items they receive are new.
- Serviced in 2004-05: Operation School Bell was visited by 939 children this year from the Park Hill, Liberty, North Kansas City and Platte City and Smithville school districts.
- Program Began: 1992. This is our 12th year with this program.
- Cost of Program: It costs approximately $75 to clothe one child. This year expenses were $72,500.
ASSISTEENS^®
- Program Description: Members aged 13-17, from four school districts north of the river, coordinated or helped with numerous projects, including Operation Senior Citizen – Prom & Christmas Cheer. Prepared a meal for the newly opened Liberty Hospital Treehouse. Provided basket of Christmas gifts, food and laundry supplies for a needy family. Assisted the Assistance League of Kansas City garden club to plant flowers, and spruce up grounds at the service center.

FUNDING

THE ReSALE SHOP, an upscale thrift store located at 6257 North Oak Trafficway, opened in August, 1997 and recycles gently used items at very reasonable prices. THE ReSALE SHOP is completely staffed by member volunteers, serving over 12,911 customers this past year.
Poinsettia Sales average 3,358 plants sold for holiday giving and enjoyment.
SOCK IT TO 'EM sent invitations and received donations from 370 persons.
Christopher Radko Ornament Sales representing Operation School Bell^® averaged 206 ornaments sold to approximately 100 customers.
The Heartland Run annually held in October, benefits foster children in Clay and Platte counties.
Donations and Grants from individuals, businesses, corporations, and foundations also helped fund services. To designate United Way donations, please write in ASSISTANCE LEAGUE of Kansas City on pledge form.
Price Chopper's Extra Helpings Reward program and Hen House's Reward program, as well as the dues collected by ASSISTEEN's members provided funds for ASSISTEENS projects.

MEMBERSHIP

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE of Kansas City's membership is comprised of over 250 multi-talented, volunteers in the following member classifications: Voting, Auxiliary (Heartland and Assisteens (teenagers) and Nonvoting. All are residents of Clay, Jackson, Johnson, and Platte counties. There are no paid employees.