Office Hours:
We are open Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
We are closed on Fridays.

There will be no evening programs on Tuesday, March 2.

Keeler will be closed for spring break March 15 - 19.

The mission of Keeler Women’s Center is to empower women in the urban core through education, advocacy, personal and spiritual development.

Help Keeler Women's Center every time you shop and search online (books, music, clothes, office supplies, travel, etc.) by adding our new toolbar! Most of your favorite stores participate and Keeler will earn cash each time you visit or use the site. Explore the site and see how easy it is to use. Be sure to list Keeler Women's Center as your favorite non-profit agency at:
http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/keeler-womens-center

We've been in the news lately - Check us out!

We have no boundaries. Any woman who wants to come to any of our programs is welcome. Because we rely on professional volunteers and partnerships, all programs are offered at no charge. We ask for a donation based on ability to pay for those coming for counseling.

Empowering through Education

Empowering through Advocacy

Empowering through Personal Development

Empowering through Spiritual Development

Empowering women through education

We are pleased to participate in a partnership with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas to offer on-going support and help (for any man or woman, English-speaking or Spanish-speaking) who is looking for employment. Volunteers are available Wednesday mornings, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., by appointment, to help with job searches. Call 913-621-1504 to schedule an appointment.

Keeler Women’s Center en colaboración con MOCSA anuncia
su primer programa de 5 semanas
Grupo de Mujeres MIST
MIST- Planeando y solucionando problemas relacionados con trauma
Cada Martes, 1:30 – 3:00 de la tarde
5 semanas = 5 sesiones de educación y apoyo
Sesión # 1: Abril 6, 2010
Relaciones: como me relaciono con demás y conmigo misma
Sesión # 2: Abril 13, 2010
Auto-estima- como me veo a mi misma afecta como me siento
Sesión #3: Abril 20, 2010
Los impactos de trauma y como manejarlos
Sesión # 4: Abril 27, 2010
Como reconocer las señales de abuso sexual en los niños
Sesión # 5 Mayo 4, 2010
Como mantenernos saludables física y mentalmente

Gratis- para más información y para registrarse, por favor llamar al teléfono (816) 285-1366

Very Easy Conversational English. This program is for beginners. Women meet once a week for one hour to learn and practice English in a stress-free setting, by appointment. Call 913.906.8990.

Basic Literacy: Statistics indicate that over 225,000 adults in the KC metro area read at the 5th grade level or below. Illiteracy is closely linked with poverty, unemployment and mental health. Keeler Women’s Center has a partnership with Literacy Kansas City to offer tutoring in basic literacy for men and women. Literacy volunteers must be 16 years of age or older. Tutors will be provided with professional training, materials and support that will allow them to teach someone to read. Volunteers meet twice a week for 1 ½ hours each session at a time that is convenient for the tutor and the student. We are delighted to offer this program and invite you to consider being a literacy volunteer. Call 913.906.8990 for more information.

If you know someone who would like to learn to read, tell him or her to call us at 913.906.8990.

“Give Yourself Credit”
If you understand how credit works, use it wisely and avoid having too much debt, credit can help you to reach your goals. If credit is not used wisely, it invites disaster. This is a 6-Week Program on Personal Credit Topics for women who have had credit problems and those who want to avoid credit problems (high school juniors and older).

Presented by Cathlyn Barnett, 6 Thursday afternoons
March 25, April 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6, 2010, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Each woman who attends all 6 sessions will receive a gift card valued at $50.00

Topics include:
• The Language and the basics of personal credit
• Understanding credit scores and credit reports
• Credit cards
• Loans
• Handling your debts responsibly
• A healthy credit lifestyle

Education and Support for Addictions and Domestic Violence, Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. – noon. This program is offered in partnership with Friends of Yates/Joyce Williams Shelter. New members may join at any time. Facilitators are Arica Roland and Riley Lockridge. New members may join at any time. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.

Next 12-week series will begin Tuesday, March 2.
Session #1: Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Abuse and the most common issues in our community - including alcohol abuse and domestic violence

Session #2: Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Introduce “Women and Relapse”

Tuesday, March 16 – NO CLASS

Session #3: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Continue “Women and Relapse”

Session #4: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Infectious Diseases

Session #5: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Understanding Post Acute Withdrawal

Session #6: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mistaken Beliefs about Recovery and Relapse

Session #7: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Relapse Prevention Planning

Session #8: Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Family Involvement in the Relapse Syndrome

Session #9: Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Anger and Coping with Anger

Session #10: Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Continue Coping with Anger – Styles of Displaying Anger

Session #11: Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Continue Coping with Anger – Effects of Anger

Session #12: May 25, 2010
Continue Coping with Anger – Strategies for Dealing with Anger

Monthly Support and Education for Anyone Living with Diabetes: Pat Callaghan, Master Food Volunteer with K-State Extension, meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., to help participants keep focused on healthy diet and healthy living to better manage their diabetes. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.

Nutrition Programs: Keeler offers nutrition programs monthly. This program is presented in partnership with K-State Extension and Pat Callaghan, Master Food Volunteer, is the presenter. Call 913.906.8990 to register. Upcoming programs include:

"Spring Greens" in two parts on Thursday, March 25:
Part 1: Master Gardener with WyCo Extension will present “Growing Greens and Herbs in a Small Space” (for the beginning gardener) from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Part 2: “Cooking with Fresh Herbs and Greens” Presented by Pat Callaghan,
Master Food Volunteer, K-State Extension, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

“Vegetarian Cooking: getting All the Nutrients you Need,” Thursday, April 22, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

“Eating Out – Not Filiing Up,” Thursday, May 27, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

“Optimizing Your Health”
Six week program, Tuesdays beginning March 23 - April 27, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
• Ways to reduce your pain
• How to deal with fatigue, frustration and isolation
• The benefits of exercise, how to exercise safely and increase your energy level
• Eating well and living well
• Handling stress
• Using Medications effectively
• Solving problems and meeting personal goals
• How to talk to your doctor about your health
• How to make choices about your treatment

Presented by Nozella Brown and Lori Wuellner
K-State Extension Family Consumer Sciences
Donations will be accepted to cover the cost of this program.

Enrichment and Things Women Need to Know: We partner with K-State Extension to offer the following programs that are open to girls who are juniors or seniors in high school and adult women. Chiquita Miller is the presenter:

“When a Family Changes: Dealing with Separation and Divorce”
Wednesday, March 24, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

“Time Management: Balancing Family, Work and Everything Else”
Wednesday, April 28, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

“Managing Stress in a Stressful World”
Wednesday, May 26, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

“Couples Talk for Teens” (a 2-part program to help you communicate better with husbands, boyfriends, best friends, parents, everyone)
Wednesdays, July 7 and 14, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Parenting Classes: Keeler partners with Wyandot Center to offer a regular program of parenting classes. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.
Nona Boyd is the presenter and the following classes are scheduled:
Beginning in January, our parenting classes will be held on Wednesday mornings, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

• Building Children’s Self Esteem, complete in one session and suitable for parents of infants – teens, Wednesday, March 10, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

• Love and Logic Discipline Solutions, a 3 part series suitable for parents of children ages 2 – teens, Wednesdays, April 7, 14 and 28, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

“All My Money” is a 6-week series that teaches basic money literacy. It will be offered again on Thursdays, Tuesdays, April 13 - May 25, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Stephanie Letourneau is the facilitator and the program is presented in partnership with Project Eagle. The number of participants is limited. This series is open to women only. Those who attend all seven sessions will receive $100 to begin or add to a savings account. Call 913.906.8990 to register.
• Making Spending Choices
• Envelope Budgeting
• Planning Your Spending
• Understanding Credit
• Handling Credit Problems
• Building Consumer Skills
• Taking Consumer Action
• Checks and Checking Accounts

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Empowering women through advocacy


KWC Outreach to the Wyandotte Detention Center, Monday and Tuesday mornings. We facilitate two groups each week.

Assistance for women who need help finding community resources – call to schedule an appointment.

Free Pregnancy testing and consultation, in partnership with Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic, is offered by appointment. Call to schedule an appointment.

Attention Kansas Women with no Health Insurance: Everyone, even those who are uninsured, deserves regular screening for breast and cervical cancer. If you are a woman without health insurance, come to Keeler Women’s Center on Tuesday, April 6, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Kelly Nightengale will be available to inform you of the Early Detection Works program, which offers free breast and cervical cancer screening for qualifying uninsured women in Kansas. No reservations are needed--drop in between the hours of 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

“Ask a Nurse” will do blood pressure checks and answer your health-related questions. Our volunteer nurse will be available:
Thursday, March 25, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
No appointment is needed - just stop by to see the nurse.

The following program is on hold right now but we hope to offer it again in the new year: Do you have overwhelming medical bills? A volunteer who is a CPA and who has survived the avalanche of paperwork and crippling debt will be available to help you wade through the paperwork and the system to find help. This is a very popular program and women are scheduled for 1 1/2 hour appointments. Usually there is at least one follow-up meeting. As you contact us, your name will be added to our waiting list. When we have an opening, you will be called to confirm your appointment time.

Are you a member of the “working poor”? Life Bridge, a philanthropic endeavor underwritten by MassMutual, is a free 10-year term life insurance policy, up to $50,0000, to provide eligible children the opportunity to complete their education if the enrolled parent dies during the time of the policy, before the child’s 18th birthday. Only one parent or legal guardian (per family) may enroll. Parent must be between the ages of 19 and 42; must have at least one dependent child who is under the age of 18; currently working full or part time with a total family income that is at least $10,000 but not more than $40,000. Parent must be a permanent, legal resident of the US; and in good health as determined by Mass Mutual’s underwriting guidelines. Parents are not eligible to apply if they have been diagnosed with heart disease, cancer, HIV or Type 1 Diabetes; if they currently abuse drugs or alcohol or have abused them within the last 10 years; or are currently on probation. A blood test and urine sample will be required prior to enrollment.
If you think you meet these criteria, call Keeler Women’s Center at 913.906.8990 and we’ll help you set up a meeting with a Life Bridge representative who will explain the program and register you.

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Empowering women through personal development

Keeler Women’s Center Counseling: For the past five and one-half years the Catholic Charities counseling department and Keeler Women’s Center had a collaborative relationship to provide outpatient mental health counseling. Because of budget cuts, Catholic Charities no longer offers mental health counseling in Wyandotte County. But, we are pleased to announce that Keeler Women’s Center has picked up the counseling program and is continuing the same counseling services as had been provided through Catholic Charities. Call 913.906.8990 for information or to schedule an appointment. Donations are encouraged but women are served regardless of ability to pay.

“Affirmations for Living Large – a Growth Group for Women” (Change your mind. Change your life. How you think about yourself plays a role in how effective and how happy you are. This group will help you change the way you think about yourself and about your life.) Facilitated by Marla Looper, Mondays, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., 10 Mondays beginning March 22 and extending through May 24.

Keeler Women’s Center will offer a 5-part Personal Growth series for women designed to increase women’s confidence in their ability to present a self confident image, develop more positive relationships – at home and at work - and reach a higher level of success. A new series will begin on Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. and end Tuesday, April 20. B J Adair, BSW will facilitate. Space is limited – call 913.906.8990. Free.

Keeler Women’s Center announces a monthly book club to read and discuss literature by and about women. The group meets every first Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Theresa Bysel will facilitate. Space is limited. Call 913.906.8990 to register. Free.

Tuesday, March 9: (note change of date) Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish

Tuesday, April 6: Zookeeper’s Wife by Diana Ackerman

Tuesday, May 4: Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Loss Support Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. We find that many of the women who come to Keeler have experienced the loss of a loved one recently or in the distant past. We know that grief is a journey and it should not be made alone. Having a skilled listener can be very life-giving and help heal the depression that accompanies unresolved grief. Sr. Loretta McGuire of St. Luke’s Hospice is the facilitator. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.

Women Writers – group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.

We offer massage, by appointment, on the first and third Mondays. Call to schedule a ½ hour appointment with a certified massage therapist.

“Business Etiquette – the You You Present to Others” will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. The presenter is Diane Taylor Hiles, professional in workplace development. Knowing how to present yourself in a professional setting is often the key to getting or keeping the job of your dreams. This workshop will help women sharpen skills and feel confident as they grow professionally.Call 913.906.8990 or register online. Free.

“Interviews - the You You Present to Others” will be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. The presenter is Diane Taylor Hiles, professional in workplace development. This workshop will help women sharpen skills and feel confident as they go to that all important interview. Call 913.906.8990 or register online. Free.

Afternoon at the Spa – come relax and be pampered - Tuesday, April 7, 2:00 p.m., Shirley Chenoweth, presenter. Reservations required.

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Empowering women through spiritual development

Lenten Retreat for Women with Sr. Bridget Dickason, OSB, Wednesday, March 10, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Light supper at 6:00 p.m. with Retreat 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

We’ve added several new volunteers and we currently have openings for spiritual direction in both English and Spanish! Call now! Spiritual Direction is the process of accompanying people on a spiritual journey and seeks to help one grow closer to God. Trained spiritual directors are available to meet with women one hour once a month. This is helpful for women who are wanting to be more aware of God’s actions in their lives, who are discerning a life change, who are having a hard time and wonder if God is still with them, or who are simply seeking to have a stronger relationship with our loving God. Many of our spiritual directors have been trained by Souljourners which is an ecumenical program and women of all faiths are welcome. (We were excited recently to welcome our first Muslim woman for this program.) Call 913.906.8990 to schedule a monthly appointment.

Holy Women series – All of us are called to holiness. This series is designed to help us examine our notion of holiness by introducing women from very diverse backgrounds and contains presentation, prayer and reflection and sharing. Each presentation is offered on a 2nd Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., and contains a presentation, time for reflection and prayer. Call 913.906.8990 or register online.

Thursday, March 11, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Margery Kempe, presented by Sr. Mary Collins, OSB

Daily Prayer based on Liturgy of the Hours, 11:50 a.m., Monday - Thursday. We meet and pray for the needs of our women, our volunteers, and all other intentions named or un-named. Everyone is welcome to attend or call with a prayer request.

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Serving Men: Although we make decisions based on needs of women, and our support groups are women only, and most of those who come to Keeler are women, we do welcome men to some of our programs (counseling, loss group, parenting classes etc.) Call us if you have a question about a particular program or group being open to men.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are in need of volunteers to offer hospitality and assist with childcare.

Volunteers are needed to tutor in basic literacy. Training and materials are provided. Call 913.906.8990 to volunteer.

We are always anxious to find new programs that meet the needs of our women. If you are an organization or an individual that has a program or service that you think our women may need, call us at 913.906.8990.


Opportunities to Assist Financially

We always welcome donations made out to Mount St. Scholastica, Inc. for the Keeler Women’s Center. Contact us if you have other ways you wish to donate.

United Way gifts:
Keeler Women’s Center receives funds only if individuals request that donations come to us. If you designate KWC to receive your United Way gift, please list our address as 2220 Central Avenue, KCK 66102, and our phone as 913.906.8990. United Way will contact us and we will provide all required documentation. This past year we received gifts through both United Way of Wyandotte County and United Way of Greater Kansas City. We are grateful! Spread the word to your family and friends.

Directions to the Keeler Women's Center.

For more information about any event, call:
Sr. Carol Ann Petersen, Director
Keeler Women's Center
2220 Central
Kansas City, Kansas 66102
913.906.8990
email: kwc@mountosb.org