Year: 2018

This letter to the editor is in response to the Springfield News-Leader article published December 14, 2018: “Case managers resign, coordinator gone. What's going on at The Rare Breed?” We, the members of the Board of Trustees of The Kitchen, Inc. want to answer the question asked in the article’s headline and communicate clearly with the community, which has been so supportive for many years, our exciting plans to more effectively serve homeless youth who participate in our youth services programs. A few people may misunderstand the focus at The Kitchen and while they are free to express their opinion,…

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (August 13, 2018) — The Kitchen, Inc.is pleased to announce it has achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation (COA). During the two year process, COA evaluated all aspects of The Kitchen’s programs, services, management, and administration. The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization’s administration, management, and service delivery functions against international standards of best practice. The standards driving accreditation ensure that services are well-coordinated, culturally competent, evidence-based, outcomes-oriented, and provided by a skilled and supported workforce. COA accreditation demonstrates accountability in the management of resources, sets standardized best…

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (July 3, 2018) — The Kitchen, Inc. will dissolve its partnership with the National Safe Place program due to overlapping of services provided by Rare Breed Youth Services.  The end of this affiliation will not impact the current services provided to our community’s at-risk and homeless youth at the Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center. Those services include: A safe environment for homeless and at-risk youth ages 13-24 Monday – Friday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Emergency shelter with The Kitchen, Inc. and with partners like Empowering Youth, Safe to Sleep and Victory Mission. As a front door for all of…

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 27, 2018)— Harter House stores in Springfield, Hollister, Nixa, Kimberling City, Strafford, and Shell Knob raised $83,748.07 to benefit The Kitchen, Inc. during the 21st annual Jerry Bettlach / Jim Trimble Memorial event. The event continues to be the largest fundraiser of the year for The Kitchen and took place from February 28 – March 6, 2018. The Kitchen, Inc. provides housing and support services to those in need in Springfield and the surrounding communities. To date, Harter House has raised more than $1,000,000 for The Kitchen, Inc. “Jerry (Bettlach) and Jim (Trimble) loved The Kitchen; it…

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (March 27, 2018) — On March, 27, 1983, Sister Lorraine Biebel took $50 and began serving meals to the homeless. That first meal was held in the St. Agnes School cafeteria and had 39 diners. In less than two months, more than 200 people were being fed by Sister Lorraine and her group of volunteers. Sister Lorraine’s legacy continues today as The Kitchen, Inc. provides housing and stabilizing services to 637 individuals including 228 children. The 637 also include 135 veterans and their families and 31 seniors. Our Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center serves more than 1,000 youth…

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (February 26, 2018) — The Kitchen, Inc. is pleased to announce it has named Michelle McCoy as its new Director of Programs. McCoy currently serves as the Director of Compliance and her role was expanded after Randy McCoy accepted the position of Executive Director at the Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless in Omaha, Nebraska. “I am excited to embark on this new journey in an expanded role at the Kitchen. I look forward to working with our top notch staff and programs as we further our mission of preventing and ending homelessness.” says Michelle McCoy.…