Saint Luke's Health System - Artists Helping the Homeless

Saint Lukeâ€™s Health System joined with Kar Woo and Artists Helping the Homeless to address the increasing number of homeless using area emergency departments for basic needs. Through a $300,000 grant, a van program was launched that operates seven days a week from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., to take homeless individuals from streets, stores and hospitals to a safe place.

What is it?

Saint Luke’s Health System joined with Kar Woo and Artists Helping the Homeless to address the increasing number of homeless using area emergency departments for basic needs. Through a $300,000 grant, a van program was launched that operates seven days a week from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., to take homeless individuals from streets, stores and hospitals to a safe place.

Who is it for?

Homeless individuals in Kansas City.

Why do they do it?

A large proportion of Kansas City’s homeless population was not obtaining the services they needed.

Impact

In 2010, the van logged 3,799 trips to transport 821 individuals from every segment of the local homeless population, including 14 chronic homeless individuals that realized transitional or full reintegration.

Contact: Liz Cessor
Vice President, Mission & Community Services
Telephone: 816-932-2000
E-mail: ecessor@saint-lukes.org

Community Connections