Who We Are
overview
46 YEARS OF SAFETY
Rose Brooks Center is about saving lives. Each year, Rose Brooks Center reaches over 14,000 individuals and pets.
While hundreds of individuals find safety in emergency shelter, thousands more are served outside of shelter each year. We accomplish this through groundbreaking community-based programs and services, built over the past 45+ years.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
The mission of Rose Brooks Center is to break the cycle of domestic violence so that individuals and families can live free of abuse.
Our Vision
Rose Brooks Center envisions a world free of violence. We will serve as a leader of innovative comprehensive family violence services, sharing our legacy of hope through advocacy, education, and empowerment.
Our Initiatives
Our initiatives are centered around three foundations of care – Keeping Families Safe, Creating a Safer Community, and Ending the Cycle of Violence.
Impact
based on the 2023 annual report
Nights of safety provided
10
Nights of safety for family pets
10
Individuals called the hotline
10
Survivors provided economic and employment advocacy
10
OUR STORY
Through the Years
1978
Rose Brooks Center is established. Seven board members established a charter to support the community through shelters, hotlines, and education. On August 22, the Rose Brooks Hotline opened as a lifeline - a first of its kind.
1979
Because of the legacy of Rosa (known as Rose) Brooks and her family, who gifted Rose's home, we were able to open our first shelter with 19 beds. Within 24 hours all 19 beds were full.
1980
In 1980, we expanded services to include a Children’s Program, and assisted in establishing four other shelters in order to protect more survivors.
1985
Moved to a 35-bed Shelter, responding to the needs of the community.
1990
Began a substance abuse program, supporting those battling addiction.
1990
Also in 1990, advocates began accompanying survivors to court, empowering and supporting survivors throughout their court proceedings.
1991
Transitional Housing began with 9 homes. Today, we house 40 to 50 families. Housing coupled with Economic Empowerment allows survivors to create a safe future with a home of their own and the income to survive.
1992
A violence prevention program, Project SAFE®, began in two schools. Today, we are in three school districts, supporting teachers and staff, and nearly 2,000 kids annually. If you want to know if Project SAFE is in your or your child’s school, check with your school counselor.
1993
Adult and child therapy programs began, offering therapy services that help empower adult and child survivors to reclaim their lives through the complex healing process.
1995
Shelter expanded from 35 beds to 50 beds. Another example of the growing need for emergency care.
1997
Began outreach therapy services, making support possible for those not living in emergency shelter, or for those after they have left shelter services.
1998
Began a $9 million Capital Campaign for a new facility, which opened in 2001. The same year, the Bridge Hospital Program began, and staff established their first Diversity Committee.
2001
Moved into a new 40,000 square-foot gated facility with 75 beds. Pictured is a drawing of the shelter by a child who stayed in emergency shelter with her mom. It reads, 'Thank you for every thing Rose Brookz.'
2002
Rose Brooks Center's Bridge Program led a community expansion to 24 hospitals and clinics. Today, Rose Brooks serves 5 health systems with 24/7 care. The Bridge Program is credited with initiating a routine question hospitals ask patients: "Do you feel safe at home?" Today, this groundbreaking initiative has saved thousands of lives.
2003
Transitional Housing received a national Best Practice Award.
2004
Received Oprah's Angel Network Award. It was also the start of Rose Brooks Center’s Wellness Program.
2005
The grand opening of the on-site gym. This facility is still open today promoting health and healing for both residents and staff.
2009
Partnered with the KCPD to begin the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). LAP helps us provide a crucial point of access for domestic violence victims who need help the most—those with a high risk of being murdered by their abusers.
2012
Shelter expanded with another wing. At the same time, the on-site Health Clinic opened as well as the on-site Pet Shelter. The pet shelter was at capacity within 24 hours. Today, pets can stay in the rooms with their family, allowing them to heal together.
2016
Designated by the State
Department as the Domestic Violence
Shelter site to visit for international visitors. To date we have hosted
85 countries! Pictured is a portion of the 25 Mandela Washington Fellows who visited Rose Brooks Center in 2024. These scholars represent incredible nonprofits in their countries (NGOs), many of which they themselves started.
2018
Rose Brooks Center commemorates 40 years of serving Kansas City. Guidestar designated Rose Brooks as Platinum-level, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to transparency, and achieved accreditation by the
Council on Accreditation.
2020
Kansas City Blueprint for Safety launches. The Blueprint for Safety is a framework for preventing deaths and reducing the harm caused by battering. This unified, strategic response to domestic violence is designed to increase safety for victims and ensure justice. The Blueprint addresses the criminal justice response from 911 through post-conviction practices, ensuring each agency is on the same page. Instead of isolated policies and a fragmented response, interveners build upon and share essential information about risk and danger.
2022-Present
COA was renewed again in 2022 and we have maintained our designations as both a Platinum-level and 4-star charity through Guidestar and Charity Navigator.
Rose Brooks continues to be here at every point of a survivor’s journey, both behind our shelter walls and throughout the entire Kansas City community.
1978
1978
1978
Rose Brooks Center is established. Seven board members established a charter to support the community through shelters, hotlines, and education. On August 22, the Rose Brooks Hotline opened as a lifeline - a first of its kind.
1979
1979
1979
Because of the legacy of Rosa (known as Rose) Brooks and her family, who gifted Rose's home, we were able to open our first shelter with 19 beds. Within 24 hours all 19 beds were full.
1980
1980
1980
In 1980, we expanded services to include a Children’s Program, and assisted in establishing four other shelters in order to protect more survivors.
1985
1985
1985
Moved to a 35-bed Shelter, responding to the needs of the community.
1990
1990
1990
Began a substance abuse program, supporting those battling addiction.
1990
1990
1990
Also in 1990, advocates began accompanying survivors to court, empowering and supporting survivors throughout their court proceedings.
1991
1991
1991
Transitional Housing began with 9 homes. Today, we house 40 to 50 families. Housing coupled with Economic Empowerment allows survivors to create a safe future with a home of their own and the income to survive.
1992
1992
1992
A violence prevention program, Project SAFE®, began in two schools. Today, we are in three school districts, supporting teachers and staff, and nearly 2,000 kids annually. If you want to know if Project SAFE is in your or your child’s school, check with your school counselor.
1993
1993
1993
Adult and child therapy programs began, offering therapy services that help empower adult and child survivors to reclaim their lives through the complex healing process.
1995
1995
1995
Shelter expanded from 35 beds to 50 beds. Another example of the growing need for emergency care.
1997
1997
1997
Began outreach therapy services, making support possible for those not living in emergency shelter, or for those after they have left shelter services.
1998
1998
1998
Began a $9 million Capital Campaign for a new facility, which opened in 2001. The same year, the Bridge Hospital Program began, and staff established their first Diversity Committee.
2001
2001
2001
Moved into a new 40,000 square-foot gated facility with 75 beds. Pictured is a drawing of the shelter by a child who stayed in emergency shelter with her mom. It reads, 'Thank you for every thing Rose Brookz.'
2002
2002
2002
Rose Brooks Center's Bridge Program led a community expansion to 24 hospitals and clinics. Today, Rose Brooks serves 5 health systems with 24/7 care. The Bridge Program is credited with initiating a routine question hospitals ask patients: "Do you feel safe at home?" Today, this groundbreaking initiative has saved thousands of lives.
2003
2003
2003
Transitional Housing received a national Best Practice Award.
2004
2004
2004
Received Oprah's Angel Network Award. It was also the start of Rose Brooks Center’s Wellness Program.
2005
2005
2005
The grand opening of the on-site gym. This facility is still open today promoting health and healing for both residents and staff.
2009
2009
2009
Partnered with the KCPD to begin the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP). LAP helps us provide a crucial point of access for domestic violence victims who need help the most—those with a high risk of being murdered by their abusers.
2012
2012
2012
Shelter expanded with another wing. At the same time, the on-site Health Clinic opened as well as the on-site Pet Shelter. The pet shelter was at capacity within 24 hours. Today, pets can stay in the rooms with their family, allowing them to heal together.
2016
2016
2016
Designated by the State Department as the Domestic Violence Shelter site to visit for international visitors. To date we have hosted 85 countries! Pictured is a portion of the 25 Mandela Washington Fellows who visited Rose Brooks Center in 2024. These scholars represent incredible nonprofits in their countries (NGOs), many of which they themselves started.
2018
2018
2018
Rose Brooks Center commemorates 40 years of serving Kansas City. Guidestar designated Rose Brooks as Platinum-level, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to transparency, and achieved accreditation by the Council on Accreditation.
2020
2020
2020
Kansas City Blueprint for Safety launches. The Blueprint for Safety is a framework for preventing deaths and reducing the harm caused by battering. This unified, strategic response to domestic violence is designed to increase safety for victims and ensure justice. The Blueprint addresses the criminal justice response from 911 through post-conviction practices, ensuring each agency is on the same page. Instead of isolated policies and a fragmented response, interveners build upon and share essential information about risk and danger.
2022-PRESENT
2022-PRESENT
2022-Present
COA was renewed again in 2022 and we have maintained our designations as both a Platinum-level and 4-star charity through Guidestar and Charity Navigator. Rose Brooks continues to be here at every point of a survivor’s journey, both behind our shelter walls and throughout the entire Kansas City community.
