Homelessness continues to grow in our community. Now imagine what it’s like to be without a home during the holiday season and the possibility of a seasonal celebration with no gifts.
Working together, Jewish Family Services’ Family Empowerment Program (FEP) and the Polsinelli law firm are changing that situation for a number of families in the Shawnee Mission School District.
Polsinelli employees teamed up to collect items and donated funds to create 30 colorful holiday activity baskets that will be given to FEP families during the winter holidays. Baskets include art supplies, games, playing cards, playdoh, snacks, blankets and gift cards. As families are transitioning from place to place, extras like blankets, games and entertainment items are often left behind. These baskets will provide comfort to families that have been participating in FEP.
“Coming together to assemble the baskets made everyone smile,” said Mary Jane Judy, Polsinelli Shareholder and Kansas City office Managing partner.
The JFS Family Empowerment Project began in the 2018-2019 school year as a collaboration with the Shawnee Mission School District. With funding support from United Way and the Siemer Family Institute, the partnership works to identify families at risk of homelessness and help them find stable family housing.
The partnership connects these families with other support services like the JFS food pantry, employment assistance, and state and federal benefit programs that can help them achieve and maintain long-term housing stability.
Upon learning about the JFS-Shawnee Mission effort, Polsinelli’s team jumped in to lend a hand.
“Homelessness is stressful on every member of a family. Anything that can be done to provide comfort and support family togetherness during this time is so important,” said Greg Kratofil, Polsinelli Shareholder and Kansas City office managing partner.
“Polsinelli has a culture of giving back to the community," said Attorney Jeffrey Bell, who is the firm’s immigration and workforce mobility chair. “I am so thankful that we could partner with Jewish Family Services to help those in need this holiday season.”
JFS helps more than 10,000 Kansas Citians each year through providing essential human services including its food pantry (two locations), mental health services, counseling, older adults, chaplaincy and more. Services are available to all regardless of faith, age, culture or lifestyle.
If your business or organization is looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, please contact Taly Friedman, Director of Volunteer Partnerships, at or call (913) 327-8250.