The Center for New Americans, located at 1620 Baltimore, opened January 6, 2004. It is the home of the JVS Resettlement Program, formally known as the Nationalities Center and operated by the Don Bosco Center for over 30 years. Our Center is projected to resettle 300 refugees this year. We are prepared to assist refugees from any country and we have been receiving refugees from Somalia, Liberia, Sudan and Cuba. A group of 75 Somali Bantus are scheduled to be resettled in Kansas City as part of a nationwide effort to place 12,000 Somali Bantus who have been struggling for many years in refugee camps. We are excited to add this dimension of service to our agency.

As the resettlement agency for western Missouri, JVS is responsible for meeting newly arrived refugees at the airport, welcoming them to their new home, moving them into apartments, orienting them to the American culture and assisting them with becoming self-reliant. Since refugees are either fleeing worn torn countries or leaving refugee camps where they have lived for several years, many come to this country with very little personal possessions. Many have limited or no English language skills. Most do not have any support system. Without the JVS Center for New Americans, these future American citizens would have nowhere to turn in their time of need.

• Transitional cash assistance
  
• Health benefits
  
• Employment services
  
• Case management
  

• Transitional cash assistance
  
• Health benefits
  
• Employment services
  
• Case management
  

JVS would like to request your help in donating new or gently used clothing & household items to our Center for New Americans. Donations can be dropped off during business hours or you can contact Laurie Licata at the Center (816-471-2808) or email her to arrange for pick-up of your items. We are in particular need of the following items: 

• Single & double beds
  
• Furniture: sofas, coffee/end tables, kitchen tables & chairs
  
• Lamps, alarm clocks, radios & televisions
  
• Working appliances: irons, vacuums, toasters
  
• Kitchen items: cookware, utensils, plates, bowls, glasses
  
• Gift cards: Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.*
  
• Insulated winter hats, gloves and scarves (preferably waterproof)
  
• Computers in working condition
  

• Sewing machines
  
• Hygiene items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo
  
• Baby items: clothing, car seats, supplies, furniture
  
• Clothing: men's, women's, outerwear & shoes
  
• New Children's underwear and socks (all sizes)
  
• Educational toys (all ages)
  
• School supplies: backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons
  
• Monetary donations*
  

Accreditation of JVS
Rehabilitation programs

Note: Linked organizations and services are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement by JVS of those organizations or services

* Gift cards and monetary donations can be mailed to
    JVS Center for New Americans
    1620 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO  64108 (Attn: Laurie).
    Other donations can be taken to 1620 Baltimore from     
    8:30-4:00 p.m. Mon. - Fri.

JVS Picking-up Bantu Arrivals at Airport