Past Charities

Kansas City Bear Mafia 2018 Beneficiaries

Foster Adopt Connect

FosterAdopt Connect is a nonprofit organization that specializes in solving problems for kids and families involved in and affected by the child welfare system.

Their mission is “to provide foster and adopted children a stable, loving and nurturing family environment by support and advocacy for abused and neglected children and the families caring for them.” They began in 1998 as a small support group formed by an experienced Teaching Foster Parent and a brand new, energetic foster parent. Due to their perspective as a grass roots organization formed by foster, kinship and adoptive families, they are effective at implementing innovative programs and services when others might not be.

For more information about The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project, visit their website: www.fosteradopt.org

 

Kansas City Anti-Violence Project

The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) provides dedicated services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth and adults, throughout Missouri and Kansas, who have experienced trauma, violence, harassment or neglect. Through direct advocacy, professional training and community education, we work to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual violence and hate crimes.

Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) is the only organization in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, or Nebraska solely dedicated to providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) victims of domestic and sexual violence as well as bias crimes (also called hate crimes).

KCAVP was created in October 2002 in response to a murder-suicide that occurred in Kansas City. While members of the LGBTQ community were aware that the individuals involved were a gay couple, local media reported that the two men were roommates. After discussions about possible resources in the area for LGBTQ individuals experiencing domestic violence, it was discovered that no LGBTQ-specific resources existed to help those in the community. As a response, KCAVP was formed to to bridge the lack of services available to LGBTQ victims of violence and to educate both the LGBTQ community and the community at large about violence in the LGBTQ community.

For more information about The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project, visit their website: www.kcavp.org

 

Kansas City Center for Inclusion

The Kansas City Center for Inclusion, Inc. (KCCI) is Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ resource center. Founded in 2017, KCCI is proud to focus on the future of our family here in Kansas City, as we strive for a cohesive community.Their Mission:

To operate exclusively for charitable purposes by providing a safe, welcoming community space where LGBTQIA+ individuals, their families, friends, and straight allies can come for education, resources, and activities; and by providing community outreach in building a cohesive LGBTQIA+ community in the Midwest.

For more information about The Kansas City Center for Inclusion, visit their website:: www.inclusivekc.org

 

The Union – A Midwest Transguy Coterie

The Union is a support, social and resource group that caters to the FTM community. The brotherhood is located in and primarily serves Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding metropolitan areas but also provides a presence and assistance to those in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

For more information about The Union, visit their website:: www.theunionkc.com/

 

2017 KC BEAR MAFIA GRANT BENEFICIARIES

Kansas City Center for Inclusion

The Kansas City Center for Inclusion, Inc. (KCCI) is Kansas City’s only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community center. They are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Originally formed in 2012 under a different name, the KCCI continues to provide a safe, welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, their friends, family, and allies. In addition to this part of KCCI’s mission, they are also focused on building synergy and partnerships with other organizations to provide further opportunities in the Greater Kansas City area.

Find out more by visiting their website: www.inclusivekc.org

MID AMERICA FREEDOM BAND

MAFB proudly represents the LGBTQIA community, performing at a wide variety of venues across the Kansas City metropolitan area including area churches, local parades, street festivals, and concert halls. In 2012–13, MAFB performed at Unity Temple, Spirit of Hope MCC, Brookside St. Patrick’s Day Parade, All Soul’s Unitarian Church, Kansas City AIDS Walk, Troost Festival, and has been invited to play at both Kansas City and St. Joseph Pride events. Liberty Memorial has requested our musicians perform for its Veterans’ Day Ceremony in November. The season for 2015–16 currently has a 3-concert season of the concert band with 5 performances, 4 jazz band appearances, and 2 parades scheduled with more to be added to the jazz band and parade calendar.

Learn more about the Freedom Band and see their concert schedule on their website: www.freedomband.com

Kansas City Anti-Violence Project

The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) provides dedicated services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth and adults, throughout Missouri and Kansas, who have experienced trauma, violence, harassment or neglect. Through direct advocacy, professional training and community education, we work to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual violence and hate crimes.

Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) is the only organization in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, or Nebraska solely dedicated to providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) victims of domestic and sexual violence as well as bias crimes (also called hate crimes).

KCAVP was created in October 2002 in response to a murder-suicide that occurred in Kansas City. While members of the LGBTQ community were aware that the individuals involved were a gay couple, local media reported that the two men were roommates. After discussions about possible resources in the area for LGBTQ individuals experiencing domestic violence, it was discovered that no LGBTQ-specific resources existed to help those in the community. As a response, KCAVP was formed to to bridge the lack of services available to LGBTQ victims of violence and to educate both the LGBTQ community and the community at large about violence in the LGBTQ community.

For more information about The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project. visit their website: http://www.kcavp.org