During the holiday season we had a chance to see the plight of Kansas City’s homeless population first-hand. There are people in our own community who, for a variety of reasons, have been reduced to a state of anonymity and permanent poverty.

We reported at the time that the experience was really eye-opening and that the implications would affect what we’re doing in the One5 Foundation. We’re going to live up to that promise by opening a small outreach health clinic for homeless people who are clients of the Hope Faith Ministries, which operates in downtown Kansas City.

The clinic will provide walk-in health services, management of acute and chronic illness, wellness exams including screening for diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, women’s health care, family planning, HIV screening, podiatry, immunizations, and referrals to additional medical, dental and other services. This project is under development and additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

The Hope Faith Ministries attempts to help these desperate people obtain an identity, set them up in apartments with a mailing address and give them clean clothes so they can ultimately start the process of qualifying for jobs.

These are people who deserve compassion; it is unfair to say that they are where they are because of their own choices. Obviously, many are struggling with addictions and alcoholism and the Hope Faith Ministries is also working to get them into programs that address those problems.

If they can get treatment for their immediate health problems, they will be in better shape to get started on the rest of their lives.