by Marc and Julie Anderson
mjanderson@theleaven.org
PRAIRIE VILLAGE — Sponges. Dish rags. Towels.
They’re items most households use without a second thought — scrub a pan, wipe a counter, dry a spill, then replace them when they wear out. But for families emerging from homelessness, those everyday essentials carry a different meaning. They represent stability, dignity and the first signs of a new beginning — small but powerful reminders that a place is truly home.
That understanding is motivating parishioners at St. Ann Parish in Prairie Village to act. Stephanie Kucera, the parish’s minister of mercy, is organizing a donation drive focused on these simple household goods as reStart Inc. prepares to open its new Family Lodge later this month.
For 45 years, reStart has worked to end homelessness in the Kansas City area by providing shelter, supportive services and housing solutions for individuals and families. Its goal, leaders say, is not only to offer a safe place to stay, but to equip families with the resources and guidance needed to achieve lasting stability.
Located in a former hotel at 3517 Main St. in Kansas City, Missouri, the Family Lodge will significantly expand those efforts. The facility will more than triple reStart’s capacity for family transitional housing — growing from 13 families to 45 — while also freeing up space at its downtown site to serve more single adults.
The expansion comes at a time when homelessness continues to rise across the metro. Federal housing data shows that nearly all people experiencing chronic homelessness in Kansas City are unsheltered, one of the highest rates in the nation.
“At St. Ann’s, living the works of mercy is one of our pastoral priorities,” Kucera said. “My role is to help create and grow opportunities so we can truly be the hands of Christ — not only within our parish, but out in the community.”
Kucera, who has been in her role only a few months, said she first learned about reStart through her pastor, Father Mitchel Zimmerman. As she explored ways the parish could help, she kept returning to a quote attributed to St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Wash the plate not because it’s dirty nor because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next.”
“I think we all have tasks we sometimes see as burdens — dishes, laundry — but really they’re signs of our blessings,” Kucera said. “We have food. We have clothing. We have a home. Those small items are the building blocks of a full home.”
That perspective has shaped the parish’s response. In addition to practical kitchen items, some parishioners have asked about donating picture frames, candles and vases — touches that help transform an apartment into a welcoming space.
“We’re trying to go beyond the corporal work of mercy to creating that feeling of home and safety,” Kucera said.
At the Family Lodge, those efforts will meet a broad range of needs. The facility will include 45 suite-style apartments — from studios to three-bedroom units — each equipped with a kitchenette and bathroom. There will also be a dedicated study space for children, where volunteers can provide tutoring, as well as a food pantry where families can select groceries to prepare their own meals.
Families typically stay three to six months, receiving individualized case management, help with housing searches, employment support and connections to education and community resources. Meeting rooms throughout the building will provide private spaces for those services, while an enclosed parking lot and secure playground address needs families have voiced in the past.
Even with these expanded resources, demand continues to grow.
In 2024, reStart received 414 calls from families it could not accommodate due to limited space. In 2025, that number jumped 73% to 718 calls. Boyer expects the need to keep rising — and possibly more than double in 2026.
Rising housing costs are a major factor. Rent in Kansas City has increased between 30% and 50% in recent years, pushing many families to the brink. Some are currently staying in hotels, barely managing to keep up with payments.
But that situation may soon worsen. Boyer said many hotels are expected to raise rates June 1 ahead of the FIFA World Cup, for which Kansas City is one of the hosts. At the same time, some landlords are choosing not to renew leases in order to capitalize on short-term rental opportunities during the event.
“We’re already getting calls from families who weren’t expecting to move, but their leases aren’t being renewed,” Boyer said.
As new families arrive, reStart is also planning for those who move on. When residents transition into permanent housing, they will be able to take many essential items with them — from towels to cookware — helping them establish stability in their new homes.
But that creates an ongoing need.
“Most everybody comes in with one bag of stuff per person,” Boyer said. “They’ve had to leave so much behind. They’re truly starting over.”
As families move out, volunteers will be needed to prepare units for the next residents — making small repairs, patching walls and refreshing apartments so they’re ready to welcome another family.
For both Boyer and Kucera, the work reflects a deeper call to compassion.
“The mission we have is really what Jesus calls us to do — to love our neighbor and walk with them without judgment,” Boyer said. “People end up here for many different reasons, and they’re reasons that could happen to any one of us. If we think it couldn’t, we’re kidding ourselves.
“Our mission is about showing up for people and offering a helping hand.”
For more information about reStart and how to support its mission, visit: www.restartinc.org.
