Acumen Ascend Team

A local family is seeking assistance in purchasing essential medical supplies needed to safely feed their young child. The child has a swallowing disorder that requires the use of a specialized food thickener to prevent aspiration and ensure safe feeding. While the family is actively working with healthcare and insurance providers to secure long-term coverage for the product, they are currently in need of financial support to help cover the cost in the meantime. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as they navigate this challenging time.

Seeking assistance for funding of a storage unit while a mother identifies different housing. A mother was residing in a home with a partner who was violent towards her, and she is moving out and while she identifies more permanent housing, she needs help paying for a storage unit for her things. Mother has done what is needed to get her kids back and has had them in her care for the last 7 months but due to this she is making other arrangements for the kids; the sooner the storage unit is paid for the sooner mom can get out and work on getting to her new place and having the kids back with her.

We have youth being released from residential treatment in the next week or so and are reaching out to see if we can find a source for a punching bag. The residential facility has successfully used the punching bag and heavy bags to help focus the youths aggression and work out some of his anger. Since using this method the youth has not had any unsafe incidents. We would like to continue this therapeutic training as the child transitions home. Ideally it would be a free standing bag as we unsure the family has a secure spot to hang a bag. The 100lb bag by itself costs around $100 with a stand costing an additional $100.

I have a family that is working to stay together. The mother just got approval to move into her new apartment with her young child. She is needing to get all of her belongings out of storage but due to unfortunate circumstances she could not keep up with the monthly payment. Her storage unit is up for auction this Friday July 18, 2025. With this assistance mom will not need to start over in her new apartment. Everything she currently owns is inside of the storage unit.

IIS is requesting assistance in paying a family’s electricity bill. A single mother of four who is helping her cousin and their child has had her electricity turned off by Evergy. Mom has worked diligently to reach out to local resources and even attempted to take out a loan to pay off her bill. Prior to the electricity being turned off, the mom had believed that there was an automatic pledge assisting with this bill. She was unaware of the bill's high amount until the electricity was turned off. Currently, we have not been able to find a resource that can assist in meeting this need elsewhere in the community. The family is currently unable to stay in the home due to the significant heat the area is experiencing. There are 2 adults in the home. There are five children, ages 10, 6, 5, 3, 1.

If we are able to meet this need the family can resume staying in the home and safely avoid the excessive heat. If the family is able to resume staying in the home they can begin to focus on using their finances to pay off debt and not seek out temporary living stations (hotels, etc).

The bill is currently 730 dollars to get the electricity back on in the home. At this time, IIS and its organization are approved to pay approximately 430 dollars. Any additional assistance meeting the remainder of the 300 dollars to get the electricity into the home would be amazing to help this family.

A mom and her 9 month old infant are relocating from a domestic violence shelter into housing. They currently have a pack n play, but this is too small for baby. Preferably, a crib that converts to a toddler bed would be beneficial. If not available, a crib would be acceptable.

Please consider helping a single mom of 2 little girls. Mom is unfortunately $1500 behind in rent. Her car has broken down twice and she has been unable to get her children to daycare and herself to work. Our agency is helping with the car repair. However, mom now has a pending eviction due to getting so behind in rent while not being able to work. To top things off, her air conditioner has gone out and the landlord will not fix it due to the back rent owed. Mom is securing income-based housing in 2 weeks, so we are in need of helping her to get this paid off so she can move into a stable place for her family. Thank you for considering helping this family to stay together and not lose their housing!

This family has recently been rehoused by Impact Avenues. They have faced many barriers this past year, including legal issues, domestic violence, loss of benefits & transportation, and more. This parent has been working hard to rebuild and put these struggles behind her. Her legal battles are completed, she's restored her benefits/income, and she's even going back to school and beginning employment.

A washer/dryer give this family additional support as they begin this fresh start. It will increase her & her kiddos access to clean clothes, towels, blankets, etc. Also, with the cost of laundromats increasing, having a washer/dryer in-unit could save her hundreds of dollars a year. Funds that she will then be able to utilize for their housing and other needs. They are currently on a fixed income until she is able to begin working, and purchasing these appliances herself is not affordable or sustainable.

The child worked with us for quite a while as we sought to identify the source of her not wanting to go to school. She was struggling badly and had been an ideal student. Her parents worked tirelessly with CD and the STEPS program to get her compliance with attendance, but a formal IEP cannot be established until the new school year, and she has had to go to " home based learning".

Her Mom and Dad wanted to keep her in the program through the summer, as it was necessary, so she did not regress in her attendance, but that summer involvement has meant a private tutor, and they need help to pay the remainder of what the tutor is owed.

Tutor has helped her catch up, parents have been wonderful, and support the child, and they are out of money for this, but it is needed so she doesn't start school with excessive absences like last year. Without this tutor it is strongly believed that she will regress in her program and then will not be able to physically get to school in the new year which will prevent her from having enough contact time for an IEP. The child only trusts this person and this person has helped her immensely. She received a formal diagnosis of autism, finally so the family are relieved that they have an answer, and they have been wonderful in supporting their daughter, they are not teachers though.

Mom and dad just gave birth and have a three year old in the home. They are having financial difficulties due to dad's recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis which has made it very hard for him to keep a job, and mom is currently unable to work due to just giving birth. They are facing eviction. They have reached out to multiple community partners to help get the back-rent paid but have not been successful. They also have an electric bill coming due. The family is working with the Jackson County Prevention team and University Health Social work. Mom plans to return to work and dad hopes to find a job that he can manage with his MS. Right now, they just need a little help to stop the eviction.

A devoted single dad of two, navigating the challenges of raising his young son and daughter on his own. Recently, he faced a tough turn of events after a car accident left him without a vehicle and struggling to keep up with rent payments. Just as he secured gainful employment, the loss of his car has created significant financial strain. With their mother not in the picture, he is determined to provide a stable and loving home for his children but needs a helping hand to catch up on rent. Any assistance would mean the world to this caring father and his family during this difficult time as he works diligently to catch up on rent and bills. The family are in the process of being evicted but still have an opportunity to stay if they can come up with the rent. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This family has 2 kiddos brothers age 8 and 6 years old. They were brought into care because their mother was having a mental health issue. The kiddos were placed with the grandparents and soon after the grandmother passed. The kiddos were then placed with the aunt and uncle. They are requesting a Bunk bed with a full-size bed on bottom. They will also need bedding for the beds. This would help this family have some peace. Thank You