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COVID-19 keeps organization at a standstill as it tries to help ex-offenders move forward

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Posted at 8:55 AM, Apr 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-13 10:44:35-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A local organization, KC Redemption, is trying to help ex-offenders move forward while the country is at a standstill due to COVID-19.

The organization opened up a transitional home for men in December, called New Beginnings, near 31st Street and Woodland Avenue.

Founder, Mark Byrd said the men will get trained and transition into permanent jobs and housing.

Arthella Webb, who's been living in the transitional home, said he wanted to change his life around, after going through a rough season in his life, and needed a place to help him get back on the right path.

Webb said he's been doing some self-reflecting until everything opens again, and trying to stay optimistic through this pandemic.

"Just believing that nothing will happen and everything will be OK," Webb said. "And so this is a time for me to really reflect on my life get closer to my God. And when it’s all said and done I want to be in the right place in my heart to say I did the right thing."

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, Byrd said there is a drastic need for help.

"A lot of our funding has been cut off, due to the virus," Byrd said. "Food is kind of hard. We need toiletries, we need everything. The same things you need at home, these men need in this home also. And it’s so hard to find when you’re trying to supply for seven or eight men or people that just can’t supply for themselves at this time."

Much of the organization's funding comes from donations, and they've seen very little come in during this time.

Byrd said with many of the state offices closed where men can get billing assistance, it makes it even more difficult to make an easy transition back into normalcy.

They're trying to do what they can in the mean time to provide for themselves and their family.

"We tried to have a lawn service, some stuff maybe we can do outside, some clean up. Whatever it is that we can do as men to not just get a helping free hand, but to work it off," Webb said.

"We have bible study in the morning so fellowship," Byrd said. "We go through a process of studying the word really just staying together and making sure that we’re accountable for each other.

Right now, the organization is in need of monetary donations to provide clothes, food and toiletries for the men they serve. They're also looking for masks and hand sanitizer.

To donate or learn more about the organization, you can call 816-216-4513 or click here.