Jeanne Jugan Center, named for our Foundress and the first Little Sister, is located in South Kansas City off of I-435 and 87th street. Our large, airy home sits on 24 acres filled with plenty of flowers and a pond that we share with a friendly family of ducks.
What makes Jeanne Jugan Center unique?
We offer our Residents quality care in a home-like setting with varying levels of care which include:
- Independent living apartments for low-income seniors
- Skilled nursing care (Medicaid certified)
Little Sisters who dedicate their lives to the elderly live on-site and are available 24/7 to respond to Residents’ needs.
The dignity of the Resident is the #1 priority in our Home. All Residents get up and dressed daily, and get their hair done and nails manicured regularly at our Home’s beauty parlor.
A full-time Chaplain lives on site to attend to Residents’ spiritual needs.
Each Resident has a private room and bathroom.
Each of our independent apartments has a kitchenette, living area and bedroom. Apartment Residents are also welcome to enjoy home-style meals in our dining room at no charge, as well as participate in activities and religious services in our chapel.
Many Residents volunteer to help in various areas of the home according to their abilities, which contributes to a family-like atmosphere. Some help in the laundry or kitchen, while others visit with fellow Residents who are room-bound.
We offer on-site physical/occupational therapy, a podiatrist, general-care doctors, and a dentist for our Residents’ convenience.
In the final moments of life, a Little Sister is present at the bedside, praying and accompanying the elderly.
The History of Our Work in Kansas City
First Home at 31st and Locust
The Little Sisters of the Poor have been in Kansas City a long time!
Their work started in 1882 when six Little Sisters made the trip to Kansas City to open their first Home. They opened St. Alexis Home for the Aged in a building at 31st & Locust that was originally built to house widows and orphans of the Civil War’s Confederate soldiers. They lived and served at that location until 1923.
When an expansion of Gillham Trafficway forced them to relocate, the Little Sisters purchased land at 53rd & Highland to build a second St. Alexis Home. In May of 1922, Bishop Thomas Lillis led a great procession of 3,500 people to bless and lay the cornerstone for the new building. It was one of the largest Catholic parades ever held in Kansas City!
Construction was completed in December of 1923, and for the next 60 years, hundreds of aged men and women called that building “home.”
Second Home at 53rd & Highland
By 1982, the Little Sisters of the Poor needed to build a new, more modern, functional Home that met the changing Federal and State regulations.
With the help of many generous benefactors, our current Home, Jeanne Jugan Center, opened at 8745 James A. Reed Road in 1987 and was designed around the many special needs of the elderly.
It is such a joy to hear stories from people who remember dropping off donations or volunteering at the old Home on Highland; or to talk to those who played in the neighborhood as children and have stories of the Little Sisters and Residents there.
What a wonderful city this is to call Home!
Meet Members of Our Family
“I’m so happy to be here in Kansas City and to meet all of the wonderful volunteers, employees, and benefactors who share in our mission of care for the elderly. God bless everyone who is a part of our large extended family!”
Mother Margaret
“I’ve lived here for over 20 years. Before that, I worked for the sisters for about 15 years. After my husband died, I wanted to work some place I liked, and this was it. After I retired, I moved into the apartments. I love my apartment! It’s home. I’m thankful to Jesus for guiding me to the Little Sisters of the Poor.”
Marge, Apartment Resident
“I love working here! I have been here for 15 years. The thing I like most about my job is helping to take care of the Residents. They are like family to me, and treat me like a daughter.”
Betsy, Employee – Housekeeping/Receptionist
“I first came to the Jeanne Jugan Center 20 years ago when my children were volunteering with their school. I started volunteering regularly about 8 years ago. I love the atmosphere here, and the way people care and appreciate you. I can really feel God’s love here.”
Janie, Volunteer
“I started volunteering with the sisters in 2004, and became a member of the Association Jeanne Jugan in 2006. I enjoy being with the people here, both the Residents and the other volunteers. Everyone is very nice. It’s a friendly place.”
Janice, Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ) member
“I like living at the Jeanne Jugan Center. I enjoy being able to go to Mass every day, and I really like the outings we get to go on. These are things I couldn’t do when I lived by myself.”
Judy, Resident
“I love the sisters’ mission of serving the elderly. Earlier in my career I thought I would work with young children, but God had different plans for me. I believe he led me here to the Little Sisters and the Residents,” said Gaby.
Gaby, Employee – Activities Director
Mission, Vision and Values
The Little Sisters of the Poor are an international congregation of Roman Catholic women religious founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan. The Little Sisters of the Poor serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world with a diverse network of collaborators.
The Little Sisters of the Poor are continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our foundress.
The MISSION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself.
The VISION of the Little Sisters of the Poor is to contribute to the Culture of Life by nurturing communities where each person is valued, the solidarity of the human family and the wisdom of age are celebrated, and the compassionate love of Christ is shared with all.
The VALUES of the Little Sisters include:
- REVERENCE for the sacredness of human life and for the uniqueness of each person, especially those who are poorest and/or weakest. The commitment to reverence is reflected in care that is holistic and person-centered.
- FAMILY SPIRIT offering joyful hospitality embracing all with open arms, hearts and minds; fostering participation in the life of the Home and rejecting all forms of discrimination.
- HUMBLE SERVICE to raise others up and to put their needs before our own; an appreciation of simple, everyday tasks and experiences and humble means of accomplishing our work.
- COMPASSION for sharing the weaknesses and sufferings of others; eagerness to relieve pain in all its forms and to make the elderly happy.
- STEWARDSHIP that recognizes that life and all other goods are gifts from God and should be used responsibly for the good of all; trust in God’s Providence and the generosity of others to provide for our needs; just compensation for our collaborators; a spirit of gratitude and sharing.
Philosophy of Loving Care
As Little Sisters of the Poor, we care for the elderly poor in the spirit of humble service we have received from our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. We welcome the elderly as we would Jesus Christ himself and serve them with love and respect until death.
WE STRIVE TO:
- Provide a home for those 65 years of age and older who, because of declining health and/or resources, need a helping hand.
- Respect the dignity of each person in our care and cherish him or her as a fellow child of God, regardless of race or religion.
- Care for the “whole person” with quality health care, safe and comfortable surroundings, spiritual support and enjoyable activities.
- Accept death as a natural part of life and accompany those on their final journey in a pain controlled, supportive atmosphere – ensuring no one dies alone.
- Share our mission with our extended family of staff, volunteers, benefactors and Residents’ family members to form a community-supported home.
- Live our belief that all life has value – regardless of age or financial status
For more information on the philosophy of the Little Sisters of the Poor, click here.
Tradition of Begging … the Gifts of Providence
To provide for the needs of the aged poor, Saint Jeanne Jugan walked the roads of France seeking alms. She was recognized by the begging basket she carried. She asked for money as well as food, clothing, wood, wool or whatever was needed for the Home.
Today, we Little Sisters carry on this tradition of “begging” by going to area businesses daily, seeking food and commodities to offset operating expenses. And, like Jeanne Jugan, we trust in God’s Providence to provide for us (through generous benefactors) and do not have any endowment or fixed income.
Jeanne thanked her benefactors by praying for them, and today’s Little Sisters happily continue this practice by praying for all those that share in our mission. A Mass is offered once a month, as well, for their intentions.
With care and medical costs rising and Medicaid covering only a portion of the costs of care, we Little Sisters must raise a significant percentage of Jeanne Jugan Center’s annual operating costs this way.
It is with great joy and gratitude that we go on our collecting rounds, inspired by the generosity and kindness of those that make our mission possible.