Della Lamb Community Services

We are so grateful to the KC Councilmembers, city staff, and the Mayor's New Americans Commissioners for joining us on an enlightening and impactful bus tour of local agencies serving immigrants and refugees. We were excited to welcome them to Della Lamb where they had the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible work being done to support these communities. This educational tour was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the services and resources available, aimed at guiding immigrants and refugees on their path to self-sufficiency. The insightful discussions and active engagement from our council members and partners demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment in Kansas City. We appreciate your dedication to learning and collaboration, which are crucial in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in this important mission. Thank you to Welcoming KC and Amy Coffman for organizing a great morning! #kinderKansasCity #empowerment #selfsufficiency

Tomorrow is Juneteenth. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom. This day marks a significant milestone in the fight for equality and justice. At Della Lamb, we honor and celebrate Juneteenth, an important day in American history. Juneteenth is not only a day of celebration but also a time for reflection on the struggles and achievements of African Americans throughout history. It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still needs to be done to achieve true equality. In recognition of Juneteenth, our school and offices will be closed on June 19th. We encourage our staff, families, and the broader community to take this day to celebrate freedom, educate themselves about African American history, and support locally owned Black businesses, which play a vital role in our community. By doing so, you help promote economic equality and sustain our vibrant local economy. Check out https://lnkd.in/gdhdhDm3 Thank you for joining us in honoring this vital piece of our collective history. Let's continue to learn, grow, and work together toward a more just and equitable community. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay #EmancipationDay #KinderKansasCity #Community

Exciting Opportunity: Join Our Team as a Child and Youth Therapist! We are beyond excited to announce that, thanks to the generous support of the Children's Services Fund of Jackson County, we are now able to offer specialized therapeutic services for children and youth in our programs! As an organization deeply committed to supporting vulnerable families of all backgrounds, this new service is a monumental step forward in our mission. We are looking for three passionate Child and Youth Therapists to join us on this journey. Why This is Special: - New Beginnings: This expansion allows us to provide crucial mental health support to children and youth who need it most. - Community Impact: Your work will directly contribute to the well-being and resilience of the families we serve. - Team Spirit: Join a team that values collaboration, compassion, and excellence. What We’re Looking For: - Dedicated professionals eager to make a difference - Compassionate individuals with a heart for children and youth - Innovators ready to shape a new era of services for our community We are incredibly grateful to the Children's Services Fund of Jackson County for their support, making it possible for us to take this significant step. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for our city's children and families. If you’re passionate about helping children and youth thrive, we want to hear from you! Apply today and become a part of something special. For more details and to apply, please visit https://lnkd.in/gHrYbbtu

It's not too late to join Welcoming KC's 3-part series on Refugee Resettlement hosted by our Refugee Services Director, Sarah Kolsto! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g3VfBHbq

Fill-the-Need Friday is our weekly initiative dedicated to addressing specific, urgent needs within our community and those we serve. Each Friday, we spotlight a particular item that can be donated from personal collections, resource drives, or even through thrifting or purchasing on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Today we’re focusing on a critical need within our community: strollers for expecting refugee moms. We are currently serving 12 expecting mothers with due dates from 5/28 through 11/25. Welcoming a new baby is a joyous occasion, but it can also be overwhelming—especially for refugee families starting over in a new country. A stroller is more than just a way to get around; it’s a symbol of mobility, independence, and a bit of comfort in an uncertain time. You can donate new or gently used strollers: If you have a stroller that your family no longer needs, consider donating it to support a refugee mom! If you don’t have a stroller to donate, consider purchasing one from our Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/fryaHRB Drop-off Details: 🗓️ Date: Monday-Friday ⏰ Time: 9 AM - 4 PM at the Main Entrance 📍 Location: Della Lamb | 500 Woodland Ave. KC, MO 64106 Questions or want to coordinate a specific drop-off time? Contact our volunteer team at Volunteer@dellalamb.org! Every stroller donated goes directly to an expecting mom who is eagerly preparing for the arrival of her little one. Let’s come together this Fill-the-Need Friday to support these incredible moms and their future bundles of joy. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

Empowering refugee families with tools for self-sufficiency! Last week, we provided a sewing machine to one of our clients, opening doors for her to not only create clothing for her family but also explore a potential income source in the future through employment! Your support matters! Please consider donating sewing machines, laptops, and other job-related items to help more individuals build a brighter future. Together, we can make a difference. #Empowerment #RefugeeSupport #DellaLamb #RefugeesWelcome

Our Della Champions of the Year (Individual) are Patrick Johnston and Patrick Hogan! Pat Johnston and Patrick Hogan are true champions of Della Lamb’s efforts to inspire a kinder Kansas City. Every week, the Pats – as they are affectionately known around Della Lamb – are onsite, investing in the Della Lamb programs through tangible facility repairs and upgrades. Because of their work and their efforts to invite others to join the mission, Della Lamb has opened new classrooms and expanded access to early education for vulnerable children and families, converted an unused wing of the Della Lamb building to now house 15 employees, renovated classrooms to launch new adult education spaces, and converted a former cafeteria into a new staff lounge that honors the work of Della Lamb staff. They are consistently present, always encouraging, and true dreamers in the possibilities to impact the lives of our fellow Kansas Citians. Because of their faithful efforts, in 2024, we created the fictional company Patrick and Patrick Design and Build Services in recognition of their efforts, with the tagline being, “No Bills, Just Skills.” Pat and Patrick are the embodiment of our hope to inspire a kinder Kansas City. Thank you for all you do to make our city, and our building, a more welcoming place.

Our 2023 Champion of the Year (Organization) is Platte Woods United Methodist Church! Platte Woods United Methodist Church has fully embraced the pursuit to become a city of welcome, and members across their congregation have strived to demonstrate true hospitality towards our newest neighbors. Platte Woods regularly serves as the Joanna Gaines of Kansas City, coordinating teams to furnish homes that honor the dignity of the newly arrived.  Platte Woods selflessly and sacrificially strives to give, and in 2023 organized a bike drive to collect and build bikes for newcomers.  In 2024, the Church is hosting a furniture drive in preparation for the next chapter of resettlement.  In all that they do, the leaders and members of Platte Woods strive for excellence, attention to detail, and dignity.  Their demonstration of love has ripples beyond Della Lamb, and their collective efforts to advocate, to serve, to welcome, and to be a friend is a model to the city.

Our 2023 Employer Partner of the Year is Berry Global, Inc.! As part of the story of community integration, employment plays a fundamental role.  With such limited resources provided to support families following their arrival, the search for quality employment begins within months following their arrival.  For so many being welcomed to Kansas City, Berry Global has become a defining place of welcome.  Berry Global has shifted its policies and practices to overcome hurdles related to language, and it has made significant financial investments to help refugees overcome transportation barriers.  What’s more: they recognize the richness that refugees bring to their workplace and to their community, and they celebrate their presence.  Their success in the Kansas City location is leading other Berry Global sites across the country to reconsider how they too may become places of welcome.  For so many newcomers, Berry Global has provided the gift of dignified employment, elevating the voice of the newcomer to build the life they dream for in America. #employment #refugeeworkers #integration

Our Volunteer Organization of the Year is Church of the Resurrection. Resurrection, A United Methodist Church, has provided comprehensive support across Della Lamb’s programs. In 2023, Resurrection invested more than 750 hours in setting up homes for new neighbors and for providing direct support to newly arrived families as part of their community integration journey. Resurrection has also selected Della Lamb as one of their Pre-K partners, and volunteers come weekly to support teachers and children in the classrooms. Finally, as part of Della Lamb’s annual holiday programming, Resurrection volunteers donated needed items and provided volunteer support for the event. Resurrection’s consistent presence embodies the spirit of hospitality, and their efforts to serve and to dream about the possibilities for tomorrow inspire many. Thank you, Resurrection!