Small Organization with a Big Vision: KC Indian Center

Small nonprofits struggle with maintaining their programs and services on a number of levels, and sometimes the seemingly huge problems, like a broken furnace, remind workers and staff that some problems are easy to solve. The Kansas City Indian Center, until recently named the Heart of America Indian Center, is no different. The organization delivers important social services to clients, yet holds a vision to expand its reach into the Native American community.

On Friday, January 14, 2011, while completing a service project supported by Harvesters food bank in Kansas City, I arrived to learn that their furnace had been replaced after a worker discovered high levels of carbon monoxide. The center was back in stride, not only after a furnace replacement, but also after recent staff turnover. New executive director Steve Jackson took time out of his schedule to describe changes needed to the phone and voice mail systems. The organization recently hired Gayl Edmunds, a new counselor with the Morningstar substance abuse program for Native Americans and Delfina Segura, the new data coordinator. Cheree Solomon, the coordinator of the All Nations Breath of Life smoking cessation program and Ken Forbes, food pantry coordinator are the other staff members that have worked there for a while. The staff needed help changing the phone system to reflect the new staffing, so with my technology background I went to work.The phone system, while outdated, still provided a modern automated phone system like what the center needs.

Steve Jackson (left), Executive Director
of the KC Indian Center, delivering
proclamation to KC City Council.
Steve Jackson was anxious to see the changes made. He kept surprising me with his humor, like when I asked him not to answer the phone while I tested dialing his number. He replied something like "okay, I'll answer the phone on the first ring when you call." My service work took place on the first day the center was open after the furnace repair and three days of weather-related closings. Despite the closings people from the neighborhood dropped in to step out of the cold, and people called and dropped in asking about food and emergency assistance. Staff were always respectful and courteous when reminding people about how the center's food pantry worked.

Ken Forbes gave me a tour of the facility, showing me the pantry and explaining the programs and partnerships the center uses to maintain food assistance for Indians, as well as for neighborhood residents.

Aside from the substance abuse, smoking cessation, utility, and food assistance programs the center has a summer youth program and offers free tax services. The Blue Buffalo Trading Post, which is operated by Nancy Blue, offers books, artwork and crafts by Native American artists.


The center located at 39th and Pennsylvania in Kansas City struggles to reach Native Americans in the KC area, but knows there are a lot of people needing assistance. More importantly, the center's vision includes expanding their cultural and arts programs, especially with a youth focus. This vision was shared by Steve Jackson when he explained at an open house held on November 1, 2010 (see photos) how the center's goals are to empower Native Americans, including to provide a place for Indians to connect and share stories and knowledge, and learn native languages.

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