Free complimentary copy May 27, 2016 • Volume 3, No. 31
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Veterans Community Project unveiled Veterans Village of KC for homeless vets Diane Krizek The Veterans Community Project founded by three military veterans, Chris Stout, Kevin Jamison and Mark Solomon, unveiled its first tiny house in Veterans Village of Kansas City at 89th Street and Troost Avenue in a Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony conducted by Kansas City Mayor Sly James and U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver on May 2. The founders of the project became increasingly frustrated by the number of homeless veterans on the streets so they created a nonprofit organization with a mission for building tiny houses for homeless veterans in the Kansas City metro area. They acquired four acres from the Kansas City Land Trust where they envision building 30 homes for
homeless veterans. Each tiny house is 240 square feet and furnished with bed, refrigerator, stove, built-in cabinets, flat screen TV and a bathroom with shower and toilet. The insulated homes are all electric, using energyefficient mini split HVAC systems and tankless water heaters. The total cost of each house is $10,000, which includes food for one year, but there is no cost to the veterans. The village project provides transitional housing for homeless vets who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance abuse who have not qualified for veteran housing programs or have failed to recover in shelters. Staff will be provided to help the veterans integrate into the community once 10 tiny homes are on site. Future plans include a community
center and gardens in the village. Veterans Community Project estimates there are 170 homeless veterans in Kansas City. According to the National Demographics of Homeless Veterans, 70 percent have substance abuse problems, 51 percent of homeless veterans have disabilities and 50 percent have serious mental illness. The project founders who represent the Navy, Army and Marines are looking for donors, community partners and special assistance from military veterans. United Auto Workers Local 249 has agreed to outfit each tiny house with necessities such as dishes, linens and toiletries. More information on Veterans Community Project is available at www.veteranscommunityproject. com.
MEMOR IAL 2016 DAY Jac
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Tiny home courtesy of VCP
Annual Chamber-Rotary golf tournament draws 80 golfers
By Kris Collins Approximately 80 golfers participated in the annual Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce and Raytown Rotary Club Golf Tournament this past week at Hillcrest Golf Club, and approximately $4,000 was raised for each organization. “It went very well,” said Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce President Vicki Turnbow, noting each organization raised approximately $3,700 during this past year’s tournament. In addition to the four-person scramble, shotgun start golf, the event included a silent auction, and a putting contest. The following are the results of the first and second tier divisions: • First-place teams: A Flight: Brian Wagler, Chad Kimbley, Andy Wilson, and Matt North B Flight: Jeff Bethel, Doug Harding, Kris Turnbow, and Mike McDonough • Second-place teams: A Flight: Allan Markley, Steve
Photos by Kris Collins Approximately 80 golfers were at Hillcrest Golf Club May 19 for the annual Raytown Area Chamber of Commerce and Raytown Rotary Club Golf Tournament.
Shelton, Jim Bradshaw, and Jim Lynch B Flight: Dave Parker, Steve Mock, Larry Mock, and Jerry
Allan Markley, Raytown C-2 School District superintendent, left, and Steve Shelton, associate superintendent of operations, head out to the course.
Hamblin •T hird-place teams: A Flight: Chris Smith, Kenny Stephens, Doug Howitt, and Jake Sisk
B Flight: Tim Chirpich, Mitch Gillig, Larry Gillig, and Bob Easley Terry Allee won the putting contest and, after splitting the pot with
Diane People and Wyatt Ezekiel, of Two Rivers Behavioral Systems, leave the club house at Hillcrest Golf Club for the annual Chamber-Rotary golf tournament.
the chamber and Rotary Club, took home $115. Bill Pence won closest to the line on hole 18 and Todd Kodas won longest putt on hole 9.
From left to right, Jim Crawley, David Skitek, Mike Watkins, and Bill Frick pose before teeing off.
Raytowner donates cars to Hope House By Kris Collins Raytowner John Schupp, owner of Sci-Tech Automotive, recently donated three cars to Hope House, a domestic violence services organization in Kansas City, to aid victims of domestic abuse in escaping their abusers. “How incredibly generous of John to not only donate these vehicles but his time and effort spent to ensure they are in great working condition and will be reliable transportation for these individuals. He is positively changing lives,” said Jenn Nussbeck, chief development officer for Hope House. Schupp, who has owned Sci-Tech
since 1992, said he approached Hope House with the proposal after hearing a story of domestic abuse from one of his customers. “While we were talking with her she had told me how she had escaped from an abusive relationship, and how she left home,” he said, “with nothing but the clothes on her back. One thing led to another and we realized in Kansas City, if you don’t have a car, you can’t get around. There’s no public transportation. We thought that we could help in doing the thing we do, which is fix cars.” The cars are donated to Sci-Tech Automotive and then repaired and detailed. Though, not all cars are created equal, and the ones in disre-
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pair are scrapped and the proceeds are used to fund repairs on working cars. He has donated eight cars since 2015. Schupp also offers free repairs within 90 days for the recipients of a car. “A lot of it would run into the several thousands of dollars, which of course would be out of reach for those people struggling to get by,” Schupp said. Nussbeck said reliable transportation is crucial for victims trying to escape domestic abuse, noting victims’ modes of transportation are leveraged against them. “It could be as simple as not returning the keys to the car, it’s in the perpetrator’s name, the insurance,”
she said. “We’ve seen they’ve held car seats hostage, therefore they can’t transport the kids. “The mode of transportation is the first step of freedom, of getting away. If that’s removed it makes it very hard to get away.” Those wishing to donate a vehicle to the cause may contact Sci-Tech Automotive at 816-313-1000. Schupp said Sci-Tech will arrange to pick up vehicles at no charge and issue a tax receipt. “The Bible says walk a mile in a man’s shoes,” said Schupp, who also owns a Sci-Tech in Grandview. “Every major religion preaches the same thing. And there’s the idea of karma. I’ve been very blessed. Raytown and
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Photo courtesy Hope House John Schupp, right, owner of Sci-Tech Automotive, with the recipient of a car he donated to Hope House, a domestic violence services center.
Grandview have been very good to me, and I just want to give back.”
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