What Guides Our Work
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Historic discrimination and disinvestment made Troost Avenue the racial and economic dividing line of our City. As a result, there are thousands of people struggling to survive and succeed, trapped in poverty and trauma. Our City is divided and the strength of our neighbors and community remains hidden.
Reconciliation is our guiding framework and the ultimate vision and mission.
MISSION
To address the root causes and symptoms of poverty and trauma in our City, Reconciliation Services engages with individuals to:
1. Promote dignity by increasing personal well-being
2. Foster healthy community by transforming dividing lines into gathering places
3. Help people advocate for themselves, their families, and their neighbors
CORE VALUES
• DIGNITY – each person is worthy of love and respect
• COMMUNITY – we are interconnected and created to live in relationship with one another
• ADVOCACY – is our response to the call to walk with others on their journey
A MESSAGE FROM FR. JUSTIN MATHEWS
It takes courage and hard work to revive places and people who carry deep wounds – areas of disinvestment, bruised hearts and bodies, buildings held together by duct tape, plaster, and prayer – like our block on Troost, and too many of our neighbors.
But this year, unexpected joy blossomed like the blue chicory from the cracks in Troost’s sidewalks as nearly 500 friends celebrated our reopening after three years in our temporary space on Linwood. After community listening sessions, generous donations, and difficult construction, we paused to give thanks for all that the Lord has accomplished.
Amidst the celebration, we still heard the cry of the homeless, despairing, lonely, mentally ill, hungry, and rejected. But we also heard cries of relief and deliverance. We opened our doors to find beauty in the midst of chaos and strength revealed where many only saw weakness.
Inspired by St. Maria of Paris, we built a chapel honoring her labors as the “Saint of the Open Door,” embracing all. We invite you to follow her example, expanding the borders of your heart in love.
In this building, your gifts are now lifted up in thanksgiving, blessed, and distributed for the sake of others as rent, utilities, IDs, safe housing, medicine, counseling, peer support, nutritious meals, renewal, and comfort. With every act of mercy, each of us becomes more reconciled with others, and we affirm the inherent dignity of our neighbor, venerating each as a living icon of God.
Troost is home to our inn of mercy where you join us — not only as donors, patrons, and volunteers, but as guests, neighbors, and co-laborers in renewal.
Thank you!
For those we serve,
Fr. Justin Mathews, CEO
Back Home at 3101 Troost
In July 2024, RS returned to 3101 Troost Avenue after two years of renovations. We not only completed the $15.5 million project debt-free, but the move symbolized a historic reinvestment in the Troost Avenue Corridor and has allowed RS to expand holistic social and mental health services to more neighbors in need. The reopening of our building also marked the reopening of Thelma’s Kitchen Cafe, which had been under construction and only providing catering services since 2020. We had nearly 500 community members attend our Grand Reopening Celebration, where we had self-guided building tours, music, and speeches from KC public figures noting the momentous day.
Since returning to our newly renovated building, RS has addressed a 40% increase in case management services and a 50% increase in case support services.
Thelma’s Kitchen Cafe is back open for business! Come visit us for lunch
Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more at thelmaskitchen.org
TOTAL REVENUE: $5,075,407
2024 Leadership
RS LEADERSHIP TEAM
• Fr. Justin Mathews, CEO
• Kristen Harris, COO
• James Bryant, Chief Program Officer
• Sheri Wikstrom, CFO
• Jodi Mathews, Chief Impact Officer
RS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Fr. Justin Mathews, Foundation Board President
• Mark Larrabee, President & CEO of Arvest Bank
• Steve Gardner, CSO & Co-Founder, House of Kush
• Nathan Jackson, Consultant & former RS Assistant Executive Director
• Jeff Hughley, Senior Director of Office for Community Impact at Children’s Mercy Hospital
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
• Ryan Brunton (President) – Attorney/Partner, Stinson
• Elizabeth Danforth (VP) – Director of Public Affairs, EVERGY, Inc.
• Will Pryor (Treasurer) – Director of Corporate Accounting & Reporting at Hallmark Cards
• Daniel Smith (Secretary) – Co-founder, Principal at The Porter House KC
• Adam Hawley – LPL Financial Advisor/Partner, BMG Advisors
• Jane Manis – Senior Civil Engineer, Planning and Development Services Department, City of Overland Park
• Jarrod Sanderson – COO, Nautical Fulfillment & Logistics
• Jason Gines, PhD – Director of DEI at Pembroke Hill
• Jeff Hughley – Senior Director, Children’s Mercy
• Justin Mouzoukos – CFO, Mazuma Credit Union
• Karen Zecy – Retired President, American Micro
• Ken Myers – Director of Packaging & Automation, Tension Envelope
• Kim Higgins – Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Thelma’s Kitchen Volunteer
• Kolette Schneider – Retired Vice President of HR, DST
• Lindsay Howerton – Principal, HOW Consulting
• Monic Houpe – COO, Harvesters
• Quinton Huffman – Technical Manager, Honeywell
• Sanjay Jacob – Managing Director at D.E. Shaw & Co
• Sharon Freese – COO, Truman Medical Behavioral Health
* in-kind donations = donations of goods and services
TOTAL EXPENSES: $5,184,860
Ways to Have an Impact
YOU CAN HELP REVEAL STRENGTH IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Each year we work to improve community health and well-being by amplifying your gifts and the generosity of so many in our area. It takes gifts of all sizes to help us support acts of love and mercy through Reconciliation Services, and together we can help level the playing field and restore hope for our neighbors in need.
Whatever form your gift takes, you’re making a tangible difference. Your support helps reveal strength in our community and provides the people we serve with the stability they need to build better futures for themselves and those they love. There are many ways to give, and we encourage you to make a gift in a way that’s meaningful for you.
Your business, church group, or club can have a positive impact on the community, too!
Become a Sponsor
Whether it’s our Hike for Reconciliation or paying forward lunches in Thelma’s Kitchen, you can maximize your community impact by becoming a sponsor!
LEAVE A LEGACY WITH A LASTING IMPACT
Contact our Senior Philanthropy Advisors Don Hall (dhall@RS3101.org) or Sara Bland (sbland@RS3101.org).
Order Thelma’s
When you order your catering from Thelma’s Kitchen, you help provide social and mental health services and reduce food insecurity in KC. With Thelma’s Kitchen you EAT WELL and DO GOOD!