Homeroom Health started as a simple idea: what if there was a place where youth, teens and young adults ages 0-24 could receive all of their physical, dental and behavioral healthcare under one roof, regardless of their insurance or Medicaid status? A place that was welcoming, trauma-informed and put patients at ease while they received care? Fast forward several years, hundreds of planning hours and dozens of generous donors, and that dream is now a reality!
When you walk into Homeroom Health, it’s immediately clear that this is not just another health clinic. Original murals by the Kansas City-based artist JT Daniels decorate the walls. There are art supplies and games for kids in the waiting area. And equally unique is the list of services, which range from physicals and well-child exams to teeth cleanings, vaccines and counseling.
Key to this entire project is our partnership with KC CARE Health Center, a premier healthcare organization with years of history serving people in Kansas City. “Relying on the strengths of each organization, our vision is to better address the needs of children who have experienced trauma and improve the overall health of our community,” says Denise Cross, our CEO.
Another unique feature of Homeroom Health is The Hangout, a space specifically designed for teens and young adults to use free Wi-Fi, get a snack or coffee and to receive a variety of skills-based services. Overseeing The Hangout is Abby Kay, who also leads our Youth Educational Success (YES) program and has a passion for seeing young people overcome obstacles.
“The Hangout is a space for youth and young adults to access basic services and reach their individual goals, be it job applications and interviews, high school or college success or anything else,” she says. “I want it to be a place that you can be authentically yourself, identify barriers standing in the way of where you want to be and find support from staff and peers to work through those barriers.”
On opening day, our staff served six patients, including two walk-ins. A young woman experiencing homelessness was able to take a hot shower and talk with our social worker. A girl who said she was hungry while waiting for her appointment enjoyed chocolate milk and a granola bar in The Hangout. Your support made this all possible! We believe that because of you, we will look back on this moment years from now as the start of a whole new way of thinking about whole-child care.
