A nonprofit organization in Kansas City, Missouri, that serves low-income families has abruptly terminated the majority of its paid workers, leaving the community and former employees in shock and concern.
Key Takeaways
- Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council terminated most of its staff without warning.
- The terminations have raised concerns about the future of community services.
- Financial and economic conditions were cited as reasons for the layoffs.
Sudden Termination Shocks Employees
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council’s Interim Executive Director, Alana Henry, along with two other workers, were terminated last week without any prior notice. Henry described the move as abrupt and said they were given less than 24 hours to clear out their offices.
“No warning and less than 24-hour notice to clear out our offices,” Henry said. “I think the ripple effect of what I believe to be a hasty and unfounded decision could be catastrophic for the community at large.”
Impact on Community Services
Before the terminations, the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council had a small staff of five people. Henry, who had been with the organization for a year and a half, said their team had worked hard to reopen the neighborhood center in 2022 and get it back on track to serve low-income families.
The organization partnered with legal aid, ran a tax program, and held back-to-school events, distributing hundreds of free backpacks. They also provided thousands of pounds of food each year. However, the sudden terminations have raised concerns about the continuity of these essential services.
Financial Reasons Cited
The board president cited “recent financial and economic conditions” as the reason for the terminations. Henry mentioned that delays in Jackson County Combat funds were used as justification for the layoffs.
“If it’s ‘pay the bills or pay me,’ then pay the bills; we’ve got to keep the center open, but we could’ve talked about it,” said Community Garden Manager Rosierra Warren-Thomas, who was also terminated.
Community Garden Initiative at Risk
Warren-Thomas managed the community garden and created an initiative called “Harvest Day,” which provided free food every Tuesday to combat food insecurity. Last year, she grew about 900 pounds of produce and served around 40 people each week. The sudden termination has put this initiative at risk.
“The elderly people who I would help carry their fruit to the car for them,” Warren-Thomas said. “Some people were walking, it’s sad. They are going to miss out on having this resource now.”
Uncertain Future
While the receptionist at the neighborhood council stated that the center is open and programs will continue as normal, Warren-Thomas noted that Harvest Day did not take place as scheduled. Henry reported that people showed up looking for fresh produce but left empty-handed.
“I hope the community stands up and says we expect better,” Henry said.
A community meeting is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Center to discuss the recent developments and the future of the organization.
