News & Events

Citizen of the Year Award

We are proud of Barb McEver, who received the Citizen of the Year Award from United Community Services of Johnson County. Barb is a Project 1020 co-founder and has devoted her life to serving the homeless.

October 20, 2021

The Peace Poles Community Art Project — a series of poles designed by community members and adorned
with original art and messages of peace — has been on display in Lenexa's Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. The
purpose of the exhibit is to inspire peace, hope, creativity, and community involvement.

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The Peace Poles Community Art Project is organized as a partnership between the Lenexa Rotary Club,
Rotary Club of Western Johnson County, the Lenexa Arts Council and the City of Lenexa. Sponsors include
Kiewit and Commerce Bank. A panel including art professionals judged the entries in May, and awards
were announced at a ceremony in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

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After the exhibit ends October 31, the Lenexa Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Western Johnson County will
sell the peace poles during a silent and live auction on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lenexa
City Hall to benefit Project 1020! Auction sponsors are Kiewit, Gill Studios, and GBA Builders.

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October 10, 2021

Olathe Ford’s annual Golf Tournament this year benefitted Project 1020! Sign up to play or donate at
www.OlatheFord.com/golf.

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August 10, 2021

Project 1020 is so grateful to be the beneficiary of the 2021 Kurlbaum Tomato Chef Dinner, featuring
Kurlbaum’s famous Heirloom Tomatoes and prepared by Chef Alex Staab, hosted at the North Kansas City
Chicken and Pickle. 
 
June 1, 2021

We’re excited to announce a new addition to Project 1020!! Jeff Smith has come to us from a career of many years
in the tech industry to follow his passion to serve those without shelter who cross our path. Even before he became
our full-time case manager, Jeff drove one of the vans every single morning for three full seasons, getting to know so
many who had slept at the shelter the night before.

We’re fortunate to have received the donation of a perfect space on Santa Fe in Olathe, where Jeff offices and
clients stop in for appointments (and a piece of chocolate Barb keeps on hand!) Two Surface Pros have been
donated for clients to use for resumes, applications, job searches, etc.

Providing case management for those experiencing homelessness is a long-time goal of Project 1020. Jeff meets
each person on an individual level – right where they are – to help them achieve their goals! We are quickly seeing
how important this unique service is to improving the lives of our clients! Thank you, Jeff, for your kindness and care
on behalf of Project 1020!

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March 17, 2021

The Lenexa City Council voted to pass an ordinance approving amendments to multiple sections of the
City’s Unified Development Code to address homeless shelters at its March 16 meeting. Draft code
language was reviewed by the Governing Body at Committee of the Whole meetings on Jan. 26, 2021. The
Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the code amendments at its March 1, 2021
meeting.

The new code now makes provision for a homeless shelter as an accessory use to a church up to a
maximum of 30 guests subject to specific criteria, up to 10 guests with fewer criteria, and with a Special
Use Permit in certain commercial zoning districts.

Project 1020 is looking forward to continuing operating its shelter in the coming winter in the Shawnee
Mission Unitarian Universalist Church upon its receipt of the required new certificate of occupancy.

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December 1, 2020

OPENING DAY!! At 6 PM tonight, our van began its route to pick up Guests and bring them back to the
Shelter for the first night of warmth, comfort, and a hot meal. Our seasoned as well as new volunteers are
making this all possible. 

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Many extra volunteer efforts went in to preparing the space to minimize risk of COVID - 

• Creative planning and floor spacing to maximize distance between cots and dining chairs

• 36 newly-constructed dividers between cots 

• shields for check-in, serving, and dining tables

• donated masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, cleanser

The Project 1020 Community Rocks!

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November 10, 2020

Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church is completing several maintenance projects to the wing of
their building used by Project 10 20. SMUUCh has been such a gracious host for our Guests! 

For example, dedicated SMUUCh volunteers decided the child-height toilets should be raised up for adult
conveniences, which will be ever so much appreciated by our Guests! SMUUCh-ers have figured out the
maze of plumbing in their building to ensure hot water flows freely in our dining area! And, they installed a
wi-fi repeater so that Guests and Volunteers have better access to the internet, especially enabling us to
use a computer for a more sanitary check-in rather than a paper/pencil process during this time of COVID. 

We can’t thank them enough!

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September 2020

Project 10 20 is thrilled the City of Lenexa has extended the approval for our shelter to operate through
this season, even if new ordinances are adopted before April 1! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

As you might remember, the City’s regulation process was suspended in March due to COVID. It was
revived this summer and several of us attended the “Committee of the Whole” meeting on August 25.
There the Lenexa staff presented some ideas for future regulation related to homeless shelters, the
community was able to offer comments, and the Council asked questions and commented as well.

Check back here for additional news about the process.

New In-Kind Donation Section Text:

In-Person

Our guests appreciate new or very gently used and clean winter clothing and shoes/boots for men and
women in a variety of sizes. We also are often in need of specific supplies such as waters, soft drinks,
paper goods, etc., as well as a variety of toiletries.

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Please check our Facebook page for current specific needs, as our storage space is somewhat limited.
Call (913)-219-3347) and follow the prompts to speak to someone about donating your items, and we’ll
make arrangements to meet you at the shelter and provide a receipt for your tax deduction as well!

We are so grateful for your support in this way!

Online

We love our Amazon Wish List shoppers and could not provide so many wonderful things for our
guests without you! Check back frequently as the list is updated frequently!

Let's Make A Change

Here are some ways you can make a tax deductible donation.

In Kind

Monetary