Homeless Outreach KC
In addition to the extensive service work which For the Love of Mateo does all year long throughout Guatemala, we also have a handful of local community outreach projects we have chosen to partner with by volunteering, donating & serving.
Because serving the homeless population in Kansas City (KC) is greatly needed, we recently started making up ‘Blessing Bags’. Handed out personally by FTLOM volunteers to those individuals in need, these special bags are filled not just with love but also with snacks/food and personal care items all of which are much needed throughout the homeless population.
Also, we have collected and donated various items of clothing and personal care to Uplift KC, a non-profit organization in KC whose primary mission is to serve the homeless.
Uplift KC is an incredible non-profit organization that we chose to serve and volunteer with because their values and mission align with that of For The Love of Mateo.
Did you know?
"At 95.7%, the Kansas City area has the highest percentage of people experiencing chronic homelessness living unsheltered of any major U.S. city, according to a report by HUD. That rate is worse than places known for significant homeless populations like Los Angeles, which ranked second at 86.6%." {October 14, 2024, KC Star}
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What's the cost for a mission trip?Starting in 2023, each six-night mission trip costs $800 per person which includes: 6 nights hotel stay at The Hotel Aurora in Antigua, Guatemala Transportation from the airport to the hotel and back, and to all of our mission teams scheduled activities throughout the week 2 dinners (welcome and farewell) A bilingual assistant that will be with us the whole time to help with translation All breakfasts at the Hotel Aurora each morning * You are responsible to book your own flight to Guatemala City and most will book to fly in the day before to ensure they arrive by the required 12:00PM arrival time into GC on the day of the trip. YOU can have FTLOM’s in-country assistant book a hotel at The Clarion Hotel in GC for you (10 minutes from the airport & includes shuttle), and you will then pay Claudia the morning of the mission trip in the hotel lobby for your $90 room rate (holds up to 4 people.) For all early arrivals, our mission team will all meet in the hotel lobby on the actual mission trip day.
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What would be expected of me during my trip?Each FTLOM team member is required to register for multiple needs that will be listed on the "sign up genius" that the mission team leader will post to the Facebook Page created for each team. The sign ups include things like toys for projects, cost of bunk beds, stoves, water filters, money to cover activities for projects, diapers, wipes, etc… You are required to participate with the FTLOM the whole time and you cannot make your own plans to go anywhere outside of the approved agenda during the 6-day mission trip. Each team member will need to sign a contract and mail it to Valerie Edwards, 3 months prior to travel.
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What should I pack?Review and print "Need to Know Info" for your FTLOM Mission Trip.
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Where do I find the mission trip volunteer contract?It is mandatory for each mission trip participant to sign and return their contract in advance of their trip. The contract is available here: For participants living in the USA (pdf) For participants living in Canada (pdf)
