PROGRAMS
LION HOUSE
Lion House is Our Spot KC’s flagship housing program, which includes both transitional housing and rapid rehousing for LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and families facing homelessness in the KC metro. Lion House operates two transitional housing facilities, one in Kansas and one in Missouri, and is in the beginning stages of construction of a 9-cottage community to expand our offerings. Lion House provides housing alongside supportive services, all catered to the unique experiences and needs of the LGBTQ+ community, including culturally tailored case management, affirming in-house mental health services, basic needs provision, weekly life skills workshops, vetted third party referrals, community building, and employment and volunteer opportunities. Lion House is primarily funded through government grants, private grants, and individual donations, and is a participating member of the MO-604 Continuum of Care serving Jackson County, MO and Wyandotte County, KS. To complete an application to enroll in the Lion House program, visit www.lionhousekc.org.
TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Our Spot KC offers training and technical assistance to any entities wishing to enhance their service to the LGBTQ+ community, including corporations, social service agencies, classrooms, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and more. Both training (interactive presentations from OSKC Education staff) and technical assistance (intensive review of policies and practices) are catered specifically to the wants and needs of the requesting audience, both in topics covered and allotted time. ​ Training is offered virtually or in person, and typically runs between 1-2 hours in length, though specific time needs can usually be accommodated. Example training topics include: LGBTQ+ Essentials (beginner through advanced), LGBTQ+ and Healthcare, LGBTQ+ and Law Enforcement, LGBTQ+ and Survivor Services (DV/SA/HT), LGBTQ+ and Housing Services, LGBTQ+ and the Workplace, LGBTQ+ Youth, LGBTQ+ and School (Title IX, GSAs/groups, Legislation), or custom topics. ​ Technical Assistance includes institutional review to assess for accessibility and affirmation of LGBTQ+ clients and staff in the areas of policies, practices, paperwork, and physical spaces. Technical assistance is typically a longer process and involves more behind-the-scenes work. OSKC and the requesting client will work together to establish goals and timelines. ​ To book a training presentation or technical assistance consultation, contact james@ourspotkc.org.
OUTREACH ON
WHEELS
The Outreach on Wheels program was started at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when food resources across the metro were closing in the name of public health and safety. Our Spot KC’s Outreach on Wheels food truck was able to travel into communities to provide fresh meals to those in need.Once food resources became available again, the Outreach on Wheels food truck was repurposed as a small business incubator to provide LGBTQ+ food business owners with the opportunity to bring their offerings across the metro and establish their name and following.
ROAR MAGAZINE
Our Spot KC’s magazine The ROAR (Redefining Outreach, Arts, and Resources) was developed to be a means of uplifting voices from our community about the wide range of issues and topics of interest to our diverse community here in Kansas City. Its focus is local, and it’s intended to serve as not only an outlet for our voices but also a resource to find services and businesses that are affirming. Published in-house on a quarterly basis, The ROAR accepts submissions from the community year-round and is available at the Our Spot KC Navigation Center and various businesses across the KC metro. To submit an article, poem, piece of art, or to learn more about placing an ad for your business or becoming a distribution partner, email roar@ourspotkc.org.