Community Assistance Council

Building Stronger Families, One Step at a Time In Kansas City

Our Programs

Support for today. Tools for tomorrow.

When life takes an unexpected turn, you shouldn’t have to face it alone. Community Assistance Council’s Resolution & Resilience Services are here to help you address urgent needs while building the confidence, stability, and resources to move forward.

 

Emergency Assistance: Rent & Utilities

We consider applications from individuals and families who meet the following criteria:

General Requirements

  • You can explain how this assistance will help you pay your bills immediately
  • You fall within Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines
  • You have received income within the past 60 days
  • You live in the Ruskin/Center School District or Jackson County

Utility Assistance Requirements

  • Utility bill must be in your name
  • You must have paid on the bill within the last 90 days
  • You must have a disconnect notice
  • A payment must be posted on your account within the last 30 days
  • LIHEAP application must be completed

Rental Assistance Requirements

  • The lease must be in your name
  • You must have lived in the residence for at least 6 months and paid rent for 6 months
  • You must have a letter of delinquency and proof of emergency
  • Assistance is available once every 12 months

 

Next Steps Case Management

For clients needing deeper, ongoing support, we offer Next Steps Case Management in the following areas:

 

  • Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
  • Maternal & Infant Health
  • Medical Vouchers (emergency dental, eye exams/glasses, prescriptions, durable medical equipment, hearing aids)
  • Navigating Government Benefits (TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP, Medicaid/Medicare, SSI, SSDI, Section 8/Public Housing)
  • Employment & Education Referrals

 

If you need Next Steps support, please fill out the application. We will contact you within 5–10 days.

Si necesita más ayuda, llene la aplicación y alguien le responderá en 5–10 días.

What You Can Expect as a Client

You will be paired with a Community Navigator—a trained, compassionate guide who walks alongside you throughout your journey.

Your Navigator is here to:

  • Listen without judgment
  • Help you identify solutions
  • Support your goals at your pace

Our goal is simple: to help you stabilize today and strengthen your resilience for the future.

Hours of Operation

Monday–Friday, 9 AM–2 PM

Hours may vary.

Horas de Operación:

Lunes–Viernes, 9 AM–2 PM

 

If you need to reach someone, please call:

816-763-3277

Si necesita contactarnos por favor llame al 816-763-3277

You Don’t Have to Navigate Hardship Alone

Whether you’re facing a temporary crisis or working toward long‑term stability, Community Assistance Council is here to walk with you—one step at a time.


Happy Bottoms

We Now Offer Potty Training!

Every Baby Deserves a Healthy Start.

Diapers are a basic need — yet for many families, they’re an expense that stretches budgets beyond the breaking point. Your support ensures that parents don’t have to choose between keeping their child clean and covering other essential bills. Through our partnership with Happy Bottoms, the Community Assistance Council provides diapers to families who need them most.

Your generosity keeps babies healthy, comfortable, and cared for.

About Our Happy Bottoms Partnership

As an official Happy Bottoms Partner, we provide diapers to families with infants and young children who are experiencing financial hardship. Diaper access is more than convenience — it’s about health, dignity, and stability.

When families receive diaper support, they can redirect limited resources toward food, housing, medical care, and other essentials. It’s a small intervention with a life‑changing impact.

Program Details

  • What We Provide
    • Diapers for infants and young children through our Happy Bottoms partnership
    • Support from a Community Navigator who listens, guides, and helps families access additional resources
    • A welcoming, judgment‑free environment for every parent and caregiver

     

    Hours of Operation

    Monday–Friday, 9 AM–2 PM

    Hours may vary.

     

    Horas de Operación

    Lunes–Viernes, 9 AM–2 PM

Next Steps For Clients

How to Apply

Please fill out the application below for Happy Bottoms and Food Pantry services. Someone will contact you within 24–48 hours.

Phone Lines: Open Monday–Friday, 8:00–10:00 AM 816‑763‑3277

New Applicants — Please Bring These Documents to Your Appointment

  • ID for all adults in the home
  • Birth certificates for all children in the home
  • Proof of income
  • Address verification document

Para Pañales de Happy Bottoms

Por favor llene la aplicación abajo.

Raising a child is challenging enough — no parent should have to worry about whether they can afford diapers. Whether you’re seeking support or offering it, you’re part of a community that believes every child deserves comfort, health, and a strong start.

We’re here for you, every step of the way.

Why Support Is Needed

Diaper need affects a child’s health, a parent’s stress, and a family’s overall stability. When you give, you’re doing more than providing diapers — you’re offering relief, dignity, and the reassurance that this community stands behind its families.

  • Your contribution helps us:
    • Provide consistent diaper support to families in crisis
    • Reduce financial strain on parents
    • Promote healthier, happier babies
    • Strengthen the wellbeing of our entire community

    Together, we can ensure every child has what they need to grow and thrive.

Give Today. Support a Child’s Tomorrow.

Your donation directly supports local families and helps us keep this essential program strong.

Every gift makes a meaningful difference.


Empower

Empowering Neighbors to Build Stronger Futures.

Building Financial Confidence. Strengthening Families.

Financial stability is more than numbers — it’s confidence, opportunity, and the freedom to move forward. Your support fuels Community Assistance Council’s Empowerment Program, giving individuals and families the tools, knowledge, and guidance they need to take control of their financial lives.

Your generosity helps transform uncertainty into possibility.

Program Details

  • When: Every First Wednesday of the Month
  • Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Location: 10901 Blue Ridge, Kansas City, MO 64111Light refreshments are provided, and childcare is available for families who need it.

About the Empowerment Program

To The Families of Hickman Mills Students That Need Support Within Housing/Income Growth and Stability, and Student Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being.

Come to Our Empower Nights!

Empower Night is a monthly community gathering where participants learn practical financial skills, connect with local resources, and gain the confidence to make informed money decisions. Whether you’re working to pay off debt, save for a goal, or simply want to better understand your finances, Empower Night is here to guide you every step of the way.

 

What You’ll Learn

Each Empower Night features interactive workshops and real-world guidance on topics like:

 

  • Budgeting Made Simple – Learn how to track your income and expenses without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Debt Management Strategies – Understand your options and create a plan to reduce debt.
  • Saving for the Future – Build habits that help you prepare for emergencies and long-term goals.
  • Credit Basics – Learn how credit works and how to improve your score.
  • Accessing Local Resources – Discover programs and services available right here in our community.

Why It Matters

Financial stress can impact every part of life — from health to relationships to opportunities for children. Empower Night is about more than numbers; it’s about restoring hope, building confidence, and creating a path toward lasting stability.

Who Can Attend?

Empower Night is free and open to everyone in our community. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or looking to fine-tune your skills, you’ll find a supportive environment where you can learn without judgment

When & Where

  • When: Every First Wednesday of the Month
  • Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Location: 10901 Blue Ridge, Kansas City, MO 64111Light refreshments are provided, and childcare is available for families who need it

Financial stability is a journey — and no one should have to walk it alone. Whether you’re seeking support or offering it, you’re part of a community that believes in growth, dignity, and the power of knowledge.

We’re here to help you build the future you deserve.

Empowering Families Requires Support

Financial instability affects every part of a person’s life — housing, health, employment, and emotional well-being. When you give, you’re not just funding a program; you’re investing in someone’s future.

 

  • Your contribution helps us:
    • Provide personalized financial education
    • Connect families to life‑changing benefits
    • Reduce long‑term hardship
    • Build a stronger, more resilient community

    Together, we can help neighbors break cycles of crisis and step into stability.

Give Today. Empower a Future Tomorrow.

Your donation directly supports financial literacy, coaching, and resource access for families working toward stability.

Every gift creates a lasting impact.


Every day, families in South Kansas City face the impossible choice between paying bills and putting food on the table. Your support ensures they never have to make that choice alone. Through the Community Assistance Council’s Food Pantry, neighbors receive nutritious food, compassionate guidance, and the dignity of knowing their community cares.

Your generosity fills shelves — and hearts

About Our Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry provides essential groceries to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. As a Happy Bottoms Partner, we also offer diapers to families with young children, helping relieve financial strain and support healthy beginnings.

We believe access to food is a basic human right. Whether someone is facing a temporary setback or ongoing hardship, we are here to help them stay nourished, supported, and connected.

Program Details

What We Offer

  • Fresh produce, pantry staples, and household essentials
  • Access to Happy Bottoms diapers for eligible families
  • Support from a Community Navigator who listens without judgment and helps guide next steps
  • A welcoming, respectful environment for all clients

 

Hours of Operation

Monday–Friday, 9 AM–2 PM

Hours may vary.

 

Horas de Operación

Lunes–Viernes, 9 AM–2 PM

Next Steps for Clients

New Clients

  • Fill out application below!
  • Please email communitynavigators@communityassistancecouncil.org to begin the application process for:
    • Food Pantry services
    • Happy Bottoms diaper assistance

Returning Clients

Please call 816‑763‑3277 for continued support.

Para Comida Comunitaria o Pañales de Happy Bottoms: Por favor llene la aplicación abajo.

No one should have to face hunger alone. Whether you are seeking support or offering it, you are part of a community that cares deeply. At Community Assistance Council, we’re here to walk alongside every neighbor — providing nourishment today and building resilience for tomorrow.

Hope grows here.

Support is Needed to Keep Our Pantry Thriving

Food insecurity affects health, stability, and a family’s ability to thrive. When you give, you’re doing more than providing groceries — you’re offering relief, dignity, and hope.

  • Your contribution helps us:
    • Keep shelves stocked with nutritious options
    • Expand access to diapers through Happy Bottoms
    • Ensure families receive compassionate, personalized support
    • Strengthen the wellbeing of the entire community

    Together, we can make sure no neighbor goes hungry.

Give Today. Feed a Family Tomorrow.

Your donation directly supports local families in crisis. Every gift makes a meaningful difference.