Artists' group aims to help homeless in metro area

A traveling sculpture erected last week at the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Roe Avenue in Mission marks the Artists Helping the Homeless organization's efforts to spread a positive message.

AHH founder Kar Woo said "Be the Change" was initially going to be more subtle than the 25-foot message erected at the site, but with the rapidly changing economy, Woo said he wanted the message more visible.

"We wanted something positive to share with the community," Woo said. "We all need something positive to trigger our thoughts so we think ‘Oh, I can do something.'"

The unveiling of the sculpture June 16 marked the introduction of a vegetable garden in Mission where volunteers will grow food to donate to low-income residents.

Woo, who came to Kansas City as an exchange student, said he feels grateful to the city that has been so helpful to him. After moving his fine art and furnishings business from Leawood to Kansas City, Woo became inspired to help his fellow Kansas Citians.

"In Leawood we don't see homeless people," Woo said.

In Kansas City, he encountered and interacted with the homeless, which led him to find a way to combine his passion for art and his compassionate nature to benefit the community.

 "We feed the homeless and the low-income people," Woo said. "We are friend-oriented ... we know them by name."

Woo said each homeless person should be treated with dignity.

"We actually sit down and get to know them. We know their challenges," Woo said.

Artists Helping the Homeless is a nonprofit public charity organization. Volunteers are primarily composed of students at Mid America Nazarene University, Olathe. The organization raises money by selling art from local artists, including Kansas City Art Institute students.

Woo said that besides purchasing artwork, there are several ways for the community to become involved with the organization, including monetary donations and sponsorships, donations of canned and boxed food items and clothing, and serving food at the group's Olathe site.

At the Olathe location, AHH is starting a program where homeless people can sit down and be served a meal as opposed to moving through a food line with a tray. Woo said this helps people feel respected and dignified. He acknowledged the challenges.

"It will be more labor intensive," Woo said. "We could always use volunteers to join us." The "Be the Change" sculpture raises awareness of the group's efforts. The monument was first erected in April at Mid America Nazarene University, and has since traveled to different Kansas City locations.

"In August, we are working with the Great Mall to raise awareness," Woo said. "We will move the sculpture there."

Woo's long-term goal for Artists Helping the Homeless is ambitious.

"I would like to have a place for the homeless to stay, with a first floor for pets and the upper floors for people," Woo said. "I think the responsibility of having pets will help them, bring out the best in them."

Regardless of how long it takes Woo to bring his dream to reality, he has one simple hope that gives meaning to all of his efforts.

"If I can just inspire one person ... that one person thinks ‘I can change,'" Woo said.

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