Barbecue, showers, health checks: Amid COVID-19, tent village opens for KC homeless
As soon as the large white tents welcomed visitors for the first time Wednesday morning, the volunteers and agency officials who created them saw just how much their efforts were needed.
Dozens of people flooded to the new outdoor center at Eighth Street and Virginia Avenue, east of downtown. Many used wheelchairs or walkers, and some pushed strollers or held their children’s hands.
Homeless or low-income, they came to pick up meals, have their temperature checked, use the restroom and wash up.
“Our initial goal was to first serve the homeless, but it’s become a lot more than that,” said Jaysen Van Sickle, executive director of Hope Faith Homeless Assistance Campus, one of several agencies that banded together to ensure the homeless continue to receive services during the coronavirus pandemic. “Now we’re seeing a lot more families, and it’s become about how we can serve the entire community.”
As everyone across the metro is ordered to stay home amid the outbreak, the agencies are scrambling to protect those who have no home. Opening the day center, just outside Hope Faith, is an early step, leaders said, allowing them to coordinate care in a large, outdoor area where people can more easily follow social distancing guidelines.
Leaders hope the center will be part of a long-term coordinated effort to care for the acutely vulnerable population — many of whom still need safe places to self-quarantine and sleep at night.
“We’re consolidating services. The homeless population may not be getting medical assistance or the resources we take for granted, like milk, water and bread,” said Vincent Morales, co-founder of Veterans Community Project. “We’re trying to bring them to one centralized area, to assess their needs and give them the assistance they need.”
The groups are working to prevent the spread of the virus among the homeless, who often have compounding medical conditions and are more susceptible to illness or death. Experts worry an outbreak among the homeless could lead to greater community spread of the virus.
At 6:30 a.m. the day before, with rain pouring down, volunteers from across Kansas City came together to set up barricades, port-a-potties and the large tents.
“It was raining and we were setting up the tents. And there were a few guys waiting for meals against the wall,” said Bobbie Yarbrough, with the Kansas City chapter of Team Red, White and Blue, a veterans organization. “I realized that my situation is temporary. I get to go home to my kids and isolate. But they’re going to be still standing in the rain, waiting for food, because this is the only place open for them right now.”
As more Kansas City residents lose their jobs or regular paychecks, Van Sickle said, agencies have begun serving hundreds more people.
And they’re asking for the community’s help — with donations and more.
Immediate relief
Anthony Fields — a 50-year-old who has lived on the streets of Kansas City for the past six months — visited the tent village on Wednesday to pick up a hot meal.
He’s been working with staff at Hope Faith to receive medical care, mental health services and housing referrals.
“A couple of years ago I got shot, so I couldn’t work. I’ve been trying to get on disability,” Fields said. “I got PTSD and am trying to get medical help. I’m just staying afloat. And praying.”
On Wednesday, he hoped to receive an update on his search for housing. Fields has struggled to find an open bed at any of the local shelters, he said, and some of his friends with homes are no longer letting people sleep on their couches as they self-quarantine.
But many services typically offered by Kansas City agencies are on hold as efforts are focused on addressing the coronavirus outbreak.
For now, the outdoor center is serving three meals a day, including the sandwiches that were prepared by the nonprofit Operation BBQ Relief on Wednesday, and offering showers and some social services. Hope Faith is planning to continue some of its other services, such as housing and medical referrals, at the site in the coming days as well, Van Sickle said.
As public libraries and other agencies close due to coronavirus concerns, leaders said that opening the center is a way to provide immediate relief to those in need.
But they know the help they’re offering now is only starting to address the community’s needs.
Advocates said they are planning for the day when they need to provide medical care for the homeless, in case someone exhibits symptoms or tests positive for coronavirus.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said last week that he is working with the agencies, and that they are in early conversations about the city providing motel rooms or other space for the homeless to self-quarantine.
But without city assistance, providing meals and services to a growing number of homeless and low-income residents is becoming increasingly strenuous, advocates said. Even with one block of Virginia Avenue closed to serve people outside, maintaining social distancing remains a challenge.
Advocates are calling on government leaders to provide space, funding and other resources to continue serving the homeless as the number of coronavirus cases grows exponentially.
“It sucks to be relying on somebody, but to be honest, it gives us hope,” said 28-year-old Juan, who asked that his last name not be included.
After eating lunch at the outdoor center on Wednesday, he went on a street corner to panhandle, hoping to receive enough money to pay for his medical prescription.
How you can help
Kansas City agencies are calling on residents to help the homeless during the pandemic.
They need funding, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and food. Veterans Community Project, at 8900 Troost Ave., is accepting donations, which will be distributed to agencies throughout the community.
“If you did happen to hoard products or toilet paper, or if you have any goods you can get rid of, you can drop them off,” Morales said.
Residents may provide monetary donations by going to the websites of Hope Faith, Veterans Community Project, Team Rubicon, Team Red, White and Blue, reStart Inc., City Union Mission and Reconciliation Services.
And advocates said they also need volunteers, including medical professionals and residents willing to pack and serve meals.
“A lot of people are feeling lost. They don’t know what to do with themselves. People are overwhelmed,” Yarbrough said. “So volunteering here is really a way to get out, pay it forward a little bit and feel like we’re doing something to give back.”
For more information, visit hopefaithministries.org.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 5:51 PM.
