Blog - The Kitchen

09 Jul 2020

The Kitchen, Inc. will be recognized as the Charitable Organization of the Year

Springfield, MO— The Kitchen, Inc. will be recognized as the Charitable Organization of the Year at Springfield Business Journal’s 2020 Economic Impact Awards. Leading companies and individuals in the Springfield area will be recognized on a live webcast on July 23, 2020 at 6:00pm. The Kitchen works to end homelessness through four key programs: Rare Breed Youth Services focuses on the needs of at-risk and homeless youth ages 13-24 years old. Home at Last, funded through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs serves Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of experiencing homelessness.…

07 Jul 2020

Meet Glendy, a Veteran served by Home at Last

Glendy is a 62-year-old Army Veteran from Riverside, IL. She spent about 20 years in Sacramento, CA before finding her way to Springfield over a year ago. Glendy became homeless in 2019 after fleeing an abusive and hostile environment. Finding Home at Last Glendy found Home at Last through a referral from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Within a month, she was able to move into her new apartment. Glendy likes her landlord and was happy to find a place that allows her Cocker Spaniel, Artemis, to stay with her. Working Towards Stability Once stably housed, Glendy worked with her…

01 Jul 2020

One in Ten People Experiencing Homelessness is a Veteran.

What is Home at Last? Home at Last is a program of The Kitchen Inc. that works to end Veteran homelessness in our community. Home at Last is funded by the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) grant from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Who We Serve Home at Last serves very low-income Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We serve families in Greene, Christian, and Webster counties. More information about specific requirements can be found on our webpage or by contacting the office at (417) 225-7410. What We Do The focus of…

24 Jun 2020

There is no One True Face of Youth Homelessness…

Michael was adopted internationally at age three along with his sister. Once in the United States, there was a clear divide between the attention his sister received and what he received from his family. Michael was severely abused by his mother and given age-inappropriate house chores, while his sister was spoiled and well cared for. As a preteen, Michael was sent from New York to a religious boarding school here in Missouri, while his sister remained in the home. When he turned 18, he asked his parents if he could come home to New York. Not only was he told…

17 Jun 2020

Life as a Case Manager

Working as a case manager for Rare Breed is rewarding but not always easy. When we first meet the youth, they are overwhelmed and scared by the circumstances of their lives. Most have been repeatedly told they are worthless and will never amount to anything until they believe the words others have said. When we meet these youth, they may have mental and physical illnesses related to the repeated trauma they endure. Medical help is not a priority for our youth, surviving the day is. Some may self-medicate with anything they believe will help them through that painful moment. Our…

10 Jun 2020

Rare Breed Youth Services Success!

When I first came to Rare Breed, I tagged along with a friend who was dating a Rare Breed youth. I did not need Rare Breed services, but I quickly found friends, and became a “Breed Kid” myself. My dad would drop me off at Rare Breed and pick me up on his way home from work. Being a rural kid, I did not have much to do during the day, so many of my friendships were from here. I went to every “Life Skills” class and involved myself in every group. Face painting at Neighborhood Night Out, and back-to-school…