Journey to New Life, Inc.

10/02/2026

We are so proud of our peer support team! 💚

They spent this week at the Region 7 Peer Summit in Kansas City. They showed up, learned, connected, and represented JTNL beautifully.

The theme was "Connected by Experience, Strengthened by Community." Peer specialists from Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa came together to learn from each other and celebrate what peer support makes possible.

Our team knows this work from the inside. They've been where our clients are. They show up every single day to walk that road with someone else.

Alicia, Anthony, Aricka, Amanda, Taffny, Chelsea, Jaime, and Donna: we see you, we appreciate you, and we're so glad you're on this team!

09/24/2026

We are so grateful for these wonderful volunteers!

Nial and Terrence spent their Saturday morning helping build the cabinets that will become a kitchenette for our office space at 3120. This space will support our food pantry and the community events we host here.

Jarion Champ, our Associate Director of Operations and Community Engagement, put it this way:

"We are so grateful for these wonderful volunteers who spent their Saturday morning helping to build the cabinets that will ultimately become a kitchenette for our office space at 3120. This ability to have a space to support our food pantry and other community events we host at our office is so important. They sacrificed their time, blood, sweat and tears (that was mostly me) to make this dream come true."

Thank you, Nial and Terrence. You built more than cabinets. You built a space where community will happen!

If you or your group would like to volunteer with us, reach out at [email protected].

09/23/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Women's Group at St. Peter's Parish & School, Kansas City in Brookside.

Last Sunday, we had the joy of speaking with your group about our services, our impact, and the work we do every day at Journey to New Life. You welcomed us, listened, and then you went further — you hosted a clothing drive on our behalf.

Because of your generosity, we received sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, and clothing for both women and men. These aren't just items. They're comfort. They're dignity. They're a warm bed and a fresh start for people who are rebuilding their lives.

Thank you for your partnership and for believing in the journey. We are so grateful.

To other churches and community groups: If you'd like to partner with us — whether through a donation drive, a speaking opportunity, or simply learning more about reentry in Kansas City — we'd love to connect. You can reach us at [email protected], or join us for Journey Over Lunch, our monthly gathering. The next one is Thursday, October 15. All are welcome.

09/21/2026

What a turnout for Journey Over Lunch last Thursday!

We welcomed folks from Hope Faith, Jackson County Public Health, and community members interested in volunteering. They came to learn, and they got to hear from two incredible women.

Chelsea, a Journey House peer advocate and graduate of our program, shared her experience and her journey — the kind of story that reminds us why this work matters. Ciera, our Director of Reentry Residences, also spoke about the journey and the support we provide.

This is what Journey Over Lunch is all about: gathering around a shared table, hearing real stories, and learning what reentry actually looks like in Kansas City. No slides. No pressure. Just real conversation.

Journey Over Lunch happens every month. The next one is Thursday, October 15. If you're curious about our programming, a community group looking to get involved, or just want to learn more, we'd love to have you.

RSVP: [email protected] or www.journeytonewlife.org/journey-over-lunch

09/17/2026

🏌️‍♂️25+ teams and counting!

The Father Waris Irish Open is filling up fast and we'd love for you to be a part of it!

📅Monday October 12, Fred Arbanas Golf Course

Two deadlines to know:
-🤝Sponsorships: September 21 (so we have time to order signage!)
-⛳Golfer registration: October 2

This year is special, as we are honoring a man who's given over a decade to second chances in Kansas City. It'll be one to remember!

$165 per player; $600 per team
-Includes greens fee, cart, dinner at Southside Bar & Grille, and a donation to JTNL!

Register now for a day on the course and a swing at second chances!

Father Waris welcomes you to his annual Irish Open — a tradition of fellowship, fairways, and faithful support for Journey to New Life.

09/15/2026

Last week, on the National Day of Service and Remembrance, our team spent part of the day at T-Mobile Center volunteering at the Kansas City Meal Packing Event — one of 50 large-scale 9/11 Day service projects happening across the country.

Twenty-five years ago, we lost thousands of people, and so many families are still carrying that loss. One of the ways our country chose to honor them was by turning this day into a day of service.

So we showed up. Hundreds of volunteers came together to pack meals for neighbors who need them. We did it because we believe in giving back when we can — the same reason we do this work every day.

We remember and we serve!

09/09/2026

We're hiring an Office Coordinator! 💚

This is the person who makes our main office feel like home — welcoming clients, answering questions, keeping things organized, and making sure everyone who walks through our doors feels seen.

We strongly prefer candidates with lived experience of incarceration and reentry. We know that lived experience is valuable expertise that builds trust, understanding, and connection with the people we serve.

What you'll do:

· Welcome clients and visitors, answer phones, and connect people with resources
· Support First Stop walk-in services
· Keep the lobby, front desk, and client areas clean, welcoming, and organized
· Manage in-kind donations, supply inventory, and office coordination
· Order and pick up hygiene supplies, coordinate harm-reduction resources

What we're looking for:

· Knowledge of the correctional system and reentry barriers
· Strong communication and organizational skills
· People directly impacted by the justice system are strongly encouraged to apply

What we offer:

· $42,000 – $46,000 + benefits
· Health, dental, and vision ($500/month employer contribution)
· Paid time off + 10 holidays + week between Christmas and New Year's
· Retirement plan with employer match beginning in 2027

To apply: Send resume, cover letter, and three references to Jarion Champ at [email protected].

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Share this post!

The Office Coordinator creates a welcoming, organized main office, connects clients with JTNL services and community resources, and supports First Stop and daily operations. Lived experience with incarceration and reentry is strongly preferred and valued as meaningful expertise.

09/09/2026

We're hiring a Peer Support Specialist for our Men's Program! 💚

This role is for someone who's walked the road we're asking others to travel. If you have personal experience with recovery and incarceration, you know what it takes to rebuild and the power of someone saying, "You can do this."

What you'll do:

· One-on-one mentorship and support groups
· Help clients set and achieve recovery goals
· Co-coordinate social events and workshops
· Provide emergency resources and walk-in support

What we offer:

· $42,000 – $47,000 + benefits
· Paid time off + 10 holidays + week between Christmas and New Year's
· Health, dental, and vision insurance ($500/month employer contribution)
· CPS training provided within your first month

To apply: Send resume, cover letter, and three references to Nick Flowers at [email protected].

Know someone who'd be a great fit? Share this post!

Our mission is to create pathways for recently incarcerated people to overcome reentry barriers and live fulfilling lives. We provide essential services such as clothing and IDs, case management, recovery support services, and employment services to meet immediate needs and foster long-term stabilit...

09/07/2026

Our office is closed today in observance of Labor Day!

We'll reopen tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8, for regular business hours. First Stop Walk-In hours will be 10AM to 2PM.

Today, we're thinking about the dignity of work: the kind that provides stability, purpose, and a way forward. For the men and women we serve, a job is a foundation, it's proof they belong, and it's a brave step toward rebuilding a life.

We hope you have a restful day!

09/04/2026

This week, our Director of Reentry Residences, Ciera Pierce (pictured center), attended the Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers Conference, alongside Jill Hanlin (pictured left) from Amethyst Place, and Anna Hoyt (pictured right) from Healing House KC.

They connected after a breakout session focused on trainings and processes, where they had a conversation about strengthening staff development, organizing training requirements, and building consistent learning and accountability for teams.

Ciera reflected on the experience:
"It was great connecting with other professionals and sharing ideas about ways to better support our teams and the people we serve."

That connection, between professionals, organizations, people who care, is what makes recovery possible. When we show up to learn from each other, we get better at showing up for the people who need us.

We're proud of Ciera for representing JTNL and for investing in the kind of growth that strengthens our community!