Cultural Identity

Pictured Above: Team Member Jake talking with community members at a free lunch

We worked with an array of people during our trip to Kansas City. Our home was Lazarus Ministries, downtown Kansas City, Kansas. On Sunday, we were able to spend the morning with over 200 sojourners and learn about their life experiences. A sojourner is described as someone who resides in a place temporarily. The majority of people were middle aged, men and had many stories to tell. The Christian church was a welcoming home to those who may not have one of their own.

In the YMCA's of Kansas City we met tons of amazing and inspirational educators who each had their own reason for loving to teach and spend time with children. There were volunteer high school students sharing their gifts with the kids and a full time staff dedicating their time. The children rotated from stations including science, gym time, art and reading time. The children were all from the area and there was a little bit of redlining we noticed in the afterschool program. There were a handful of children whose first language was not english and have assimilated into the community.

At the Head Start Program, the culture of the environment for the underprivileged children was uplifting and joyful. The children in the program come from parents, mainly single mothers, who need care for their children while they look for work during the day. The program feeds the children breakfast, lunch and snack, and promotes learning through activities in the classroom and beyond.