In addition to the many important parish ministries and programs listed above, Our Lady of Perpetual Help continues to be in strong financial health. We continue to manage important building upgrades and improvements. The stained-glass windows have recently been repaired and cleaned. The lights have all been repaired. The new sound system is outstanding. The doors have been replaced and all the brass has been polished. The pews have been restored. All the marble altars and floors have been cleaned and polished. Paint touch-ups in the church have been done. The carpets have been cleaned. In the near future, we plan to install lighting in the front of the church and office, repair the concrete in the front of the church, add two concrete ramps in front of the doors, and repair some areas on the roof. The parish is in great condition physically, financially, and spiritually.

Redemptorist Social Services Center

Forty Years of Compassion and A Future of Expanding Impact

The Redemptorist Social Services Center, which this September will celebrate 40 years of service to the Kansas City community, is also a vital part of our parish and community. For four decades, the Center has been a place of hope, dignity, and unwavering compassion, walking alongside individuals and families through times of hardship and helping them find stability. That legacy is growing stronger than ever. The need in our community is rising at a pace we have learned to navigate. Families are facing impossible choices between rent, utilities and food. Just putting gas in their cars to take their children to school or go to work can empty their bank accounts. Seniors are stretching fixed incomes beyond their limits. More individuals are experiencing homelessness and searching for a path forward. Redemptorist Center continues to meet these moments with compassion, dignity and action.

Each week, we serve approximately 1,600 individuals through our core programs. Our food pantry provides nutritious food each day, while our evening mobile distributions reach hundreds of working families who cannot access services during traditional hours. Wednesday nights we often serve more than 1,200 people. For those men, women and children experiencing homelessness, our daily lunch program offers not only nourishment, but a sense of connection and belonging.

We also recognize a deeper truth. When someone walks through our doors experiencing homelessness, there are rarely quick fixes. The challenges they face are complex and layered, requiring time, trust and consistent support. A meal may seem simple, but it is often the first step. It opens the door to conversation. It builds trust. And from that place, we begin the work of connecting individuals to the resources, relationships and support systems that can help them move toward stability.

Beyond food, many of the families we serve are one unexpected bill away from crisis. That is why rent and utility assistance is such a vital part of our work. When a family can stay in their home and keep the lights on, everything else becomes possible. Children are able to stay in school. Parents can continue working. Stability is preserved, and the cycle of crisis can be interrupted before it begins.

We also see firsthand the impact of unmet medical and dental needs in our community. For many, something as simple as an untreated infection or chronic condition can quickly escalate into a serious barrier to employment, stability and overall well-being. By helping connect individuals to care and supporting these needs when possible, we are not only addressing health concerns but also restoring dignity and opportunity. Access to hygiene products is another essential, yet often overlooked, need. Items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and basic personal care products are not luxuries, they are necessities. They impact a person’s health, confidence, and ability to engage in daily life, whether that is going to work, attending school, or simply feeling seen and respected. Providing these items is a small but powerful way we affirm the dignity of every individual we serve.

Our senior outreach ensures that older adults receive food, essential items, and ongoing support so they are not navigating these challenges alone. This work would not be possible without the incredible support of our volunteers and parish community. Each day, it takes a minimum of 20 volunteers working alongside our staff to meet the growing need. Their presence is not only practical, but deeply relational.

Br. Steve Fruge joins us every Tuesday and Thursday, and he has become a beloved part of the Center. Our regulars look forward to seeing him, often commenting on his warm smile and the joy he brings, not to mention his accent, which has become a favorite among many. Fr. Don Willard has also been instrumental in strengthening our connection with the parish community. His leadership and support have helped build meaningful relationships while guiding the transformation of our building into a space that better serves those in need. We are incredibly grateful to have our home on the Redemptorist campus, where faith and service come together in such a powerful way.

As we mark this 40-year milestone, we are not only reflecting on where we have been, we are building for where we are called to go. We are honored to share that Redemptorist Center has received a $500,000 grant from Jackson County. This transformational investment allows us to expand our impact and better serve our growing community. With this funding, we are beginning critical renovations that will:

• Create a dedicated Community Resource Center for individuals experiencing homelessness;
• Expand our food pantry and improve refrigeration to increase access to fresh, healthy food;
• Enhance spaces for seniors, making programming more accessible and impactful; and
• Strengthen our ability to provide wraparound services that stabilize families before crisis occurs.

This is more than a renovation. It is a commitment to the next 40 years of service, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors is met with dignity, care, and the opportunity for a better future.