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Program helps refugees put down new roots in Kansas City

New Roots for Refugees
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A local program is helping refugees put down new roots in Kansas City.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, in partnership with Cultivate Kansas City, began New Roots for Refugees in 2008. The program teaches 16 participating families the skills necessary to grow their own produce and sell it.

"This is a place where they can feel comfortable, they can feel like they can bring their skills, and then ultimately it benefits our community," said Kelly Kearney, vice president of development for Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

On Friday, volunteers from JLL, a commercial real estate company, transformed a shipping container into a functioning walk-in cooler.

The cooler will allow families to store their produce before taking it to local farmers markets, retailers and restaurants that specialize in farm-to-table concepts.

"I love that aspect about it, that it frees up the families to work their schedules around what makes sense for their families," JLL Senior Vice President Craig Cooper said.

This was the third year JLL has partnered with New Roots for Refugees for its annual service day project.