Center for New Americans

Reaching out to newly arrived refugees

The Center for New Americans (CNA), 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. We are prepared to assist refugees from any country and we have received refugees from Somalia, Liberia, Sudan, Cuba, Burundi, Vietnam and many other countries around the world.

As the premier 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 American culture and assisting them with becoming self-reliant by helping them find jobs. Since refugees are either fleeing war 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.

JVS provides the following services to newly arrived refugees:

  • Case management
  • Transportation assistance
  • Citizenship classes
  • Pre-drivers education
  • Relationship enhancement classes
  • Health benefits
  • Employment services
  • Transitional cash assistance
  • Clothing, house wares and furniture

JVS needs your donations for our Center for New Americans. JVS staff members who establish refugees in their apartments must do so with items donated form members of the community. Donations can be dropped off at 1620 Baltimore, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00pm. You can also contact Denis or Karen at 816-471-2808 or kjanas@jvskc.org to see if pick-up may be available for your items. We are in particular need of the following (all clean and in working order, please):

  • Twin & Full sized beds and bedding
  • Furniture: sofas, coffee/end tables, kitchen tables & chairs
  • Lamps, alarm clocks, radios & televisions
  • Irons and ironing boards, vacuum cleaners, toasters
  • Kitchen items: cookware, utensils, plates, bowls, glasses
  • Insulated winter coats, hats, gloves and scarves (preferably waterproof)
  • Sewing machines
  • Personal hygiene items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins
  • 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
  • Computers in working condition
  • Monetary donations*
  • Gift cards to Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.*

* Gift cards and monetary donations can be mailed to:
JVS
Attn: Joy Foster
1608 Baltimore,
Kansas City, MO 64108

Other donations accepted at 1620 Baltimore from 8:30-4:00 p.m. Mon. – Fri.

Click here to download brochure.


www.refugees.org/