By: Kristin Dow, M. Div.
Kansas City Hospice Chaplain
At Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care (KCH), our mission extends beyond compassionate care—we strive to honor and uplift those who served our country.
One of the ways we do that is through our partnership with Veterans Community Project (VCP), a unique and inspiring organization dedicated to ending Veteran homelessness and supporting Vets in crisis.
VCP: A Lifeline for Those Who Served
Veterans Community Project is best known around Kansas City for its innovative tiny home village, a transitional housing community located at 89th and Troost in Kansas City. The village includes 49 fully furnished tiny homes—four of which are large enough to accommodate families and pets.
These homes provide more than shelter: they offer a fresh start and a foundation for building stability. Veterans stay rent-free, with furnishings they take along when they move to permanent housing. Their stay is guided by progress toward benchmarks in health, employment, financial literacy, and support systems.
Beyond housing, VCP’s Outreach Center provides essential services.
Walk-in resources include food and hygiene kits, clothing, and a monthly commissary. Veterans can also receive case management, dental care, counseling referrals, housing and employment support, and even help upgrading military discharges. In addition, VCP’s Emergency Assistance Fund offers financial relief during crises, prioritizing those at risk for homelessness and ensuring payments go directly to creditors or landlords.
Kansas City Hospice team members dropping off donated food, hygiene supplies and clothing in support of the Veterans Community Project in May 2025.
Joining Forces: How KCH Supports VCP
The KCH commitment to VCP began as part of our We Honor Veterans pledge (more about that below), but it quickly grew into something even more impactful. Since initiating twice-yearly donation drives in 2022, Kansas City Hospice has contributed more than $13,000 in goods—ranging from food and hygiene supplies to household items and pet products.
With donation boxes in every KCH location and an emphasis on VCP’s Amazon wishlist, the drives make it easy for KCH team members, families, and the community to get involved and make a difference. The items collected directly support VCP’s commissary and outreach services, reinforcing the safety net for Veterans in need.
KCH’s Role: Compassionate Care Rooted in Respect
Kansas City Hospice has proudly supported Veterans through our participation in the national We Honor Veterans program since 2013. As a Level Four Partner, we’re committed to addressing the unique end-of-life needs of people who served. In 2024 alone, KCH provided specialized care to more than 470 Veterans.
The heart of our efforts lies in personal connection and recognition.
Our Veteran Recognition Ceremonies are poignant, personalized events offering thanks and closure. With
poems, music, and symbolic gifts like handmade quilts, each ceremony acknowledges the Veteran’s service and offers them peace to “stand down.”
Additionally, our involvement with Honor Flight Network, through a long-standing partnership with Heartland Honor Flight, gives KC-area Veterans the chance to visit our nation’s war memorials—an experience many describe as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reflect, heal, and connect with others who served.
Looking Ahead: Deepening the Impact
As we look to the future, KCH is eager to expand its role in supporting Veterans. Plans include continuing robust donation drives twice annually and exploring opportunities for VCP and other community partners to engage with hospice and end-of-life care training.
Our shared vision is clear: every Veteran deserves dignity, respect, and compassionate care—whether they’re starting over in a tiny home or preparing for their final chapter surrounded by love.
At Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, and through our partnership with Veterans Community Project and other Veterans organizations, we’re honored to serve those who have served our country. Together, we’re building hope, healing, and a brighter future for Kansas City’s Veterans.
Posted in In the Community, Kansas City Hospice, Stories of Support