Newhouse in need of 15-passenger van finds prime opportunity but needs community support
News & Media
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Newhouse, Kansas City’s first domestic violence shelter, has been searching the past year for an affordable passenger van to help transport survivors and families, and they are asking for the community’s help to secure one they have identified.
With this van, Newhouse will be better able to transport clients to medical appointments, residents to job trainings, children to school and educational activities, and more. Due to the worldwide vehicle shortage, passenger vans are extremely expensive and hard to come by. Newhouse has the opportunity to purchase a 15-passenger van from a local church but needs the community’s help to make this dream possible.
“It is our hope that the community will step up to invest in the brave survivors who call Newhouse their temporary home by supporting the purchase of this life-changing van,” said Newhouse Director of Philanthropic Engagement Chris Stibbs. “This van opens endless opportunities for Newhouse youth to explore Kansas City’s vast offerings and for mass transportation of residents to job trainings, tours of possible housing, and activities that help with the healing process.”
The Newhouse van campaign also offers individuals and companies that donate $2,500 or more to have their brand presence on the van for six months. While the vehicle will not be heavily branded as Newhouse for security reasons, sponsors can benefit from their brand presence on the van garnering thousands of impressions.
“Transportation is a deep-rooted barrier that often prevents survivors from accessing medical care, opportunities for work, and the ability to access social service agencies in our community,” Stibbs added. “To the outside community, this may just look like an ordinary bus, but to the survivors here at Newhouse, this means opportunity.”
