A Ministry of the Benedictine Sisters
PLEASE NOTE: Keeler Women's Center will be closed from March 6-17, reopening March 20.
Attendance Protocols
Keeler Women’s Center is open for in-person appointments, classes, and support groups. Some classes will still be available via Zoom.
Those who have symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, etc.) or believe they may have been exposed to Covid-19 should register online to attend via Zoom.
Visitors to Keeler Women’s Center are encouraged to:
- Wear a mask (free masks are available), although this is optional.
- Practice social distancing.
- Check-in with the receptionist upon arrival and let her know if you have any COVID symptoms or were exposed recently.
- Use hand sanitizer as much as possible if you touch other objects, blow your nose, cough into your hands, etc. (sanitizer is available at various areas of the center).
About Us
Thank you for your interest in Keeler Women’s Center. We are grateful for the opportunity to tell you more about our ministry.
At Keeler Women’s Center, our mission is to empower women in the urban core through education, advocacy, personal and spiritual development.
The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica came to Kansas more than 150 years ago to teach young women. Our work at Keeler Women’s Center continues that mission, though in a different format. The sisters partner and work with more than 100 volunteers who donate time each month to make a difference in the lives of women.
Through our programs and services, we see firsthand how women become instruments for change in their families and neighborhoods. When we help a woman learn to read or speak English, manage her health or finances, or start a business, we see her create ripples of hope and change that lift up her children and her community.
We appreciate your interest in our work and invite you to become involved.
Click on the button above to be directed to the Make a Donation page, and select Keeler Women’s Center under the “Designation” menu. Thanks!
Meet the Staff
Director, Keeler Women's Center
In 1986, when Sister Bridget joined the Benedictine Sisters, she came to them with a degree in Education and English. Naturally, her talents seemed best suited for teaching in the area high schools. When the need for a principal arose at Mount St. Scholastica Academy, she returned to school to obtain a Master's in School Administration, serving as principal for six years through the merger with Maur Hill. In the summer of 2010, she found a new calling as Associate Director of Keeler Women's Center. In June 2012, she completed her certification as a spiritual director through the Souljourners program at Sophia Center. She became director in 2016.
Associate Director, Keeler Women's Center
Brenda Mortell serves as Associate Director at Keeler Women’s Center. As a fully bilingual person, Brenda works directly with our Latino population and offers a number of services and classes in Spanish to our community. Brenda is a certified Home Counselor, Trauma Care Facilitator, Parent Project Educator, Adult Learning educator, and Facilitator Trainer for Community Conversations. Most recently, Brenda also graduated from the Souljourners' program offered by the Sophia Spirituality Center at Mount St. Scholastica as a Spiritual Director.
As a previous Program Director and Coordinator, she comes from a diverse background with local, national and global non-profit organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keeler Women’s Center is a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas.
The Center is staffed by:
A Benedictine Sister
A bilingual associate director
The staff collaborates with other non-profit organizations and about 100 volunteers each month to offer a variety of programs and services.
Our mission is to empower women in the urban core through education, advocacy personal and spiritual development.
We partner with professional volunteers and other non-profit organizations to provide a variety of free programs and services. Our licensed clinical counselors see women regardless of their ability to pay.
All are welcome, regardless of socio-economic status or geographic location, to attend our programs. We serve women from the metropolitan area and beyond. Although we base our decisions on the needs of women, we also serve men. Support groups and some programs are limited to women. Women are referred to us by area churches, by women we have helped previously, as well as by many non-profit or government agencies that serve the poor.
With some COVID-19 protocols still in place, the Keeler Women’s Center serves an average of 200 people (both men and women) per month.
Volunteers help answer the phone, register women for programs, and offer hospitality. Professional volunteers offer many ongoing programs and services.
Contact us at 913.689.9375.
Outreach programs through the Keeler Women’s Center remain on hold until COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted.
We accept various donations, including (but not limited to):
- Gift cards for any major gas station, grocery store, or CVS/Walgreens
- Personal care items: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (New/lightly used products accepted)
- Dental care: Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash
- Gloves
- Socks
Our funding comes through the ministry fund of the Benedictine Sisters. Annually the development office sponsors a major fundraiser, Night of Dreams, which helps fund the salaries of the sisters on staff. We also receive grants and individual donations to assist with salaries, program expenses, and hospitality costs. Several small fundraisers also help.
We are a ministry of Mount St. Scholastica, Inc. and our EIN number is 48-0548363. Donations can be made to Mount St. Scholastica, Inc. for Keeler Women’s Center. Information about memorials and other gifts is available.
Hours:
Mondays: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
We are closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Sister Bridget Dickason, Director
759 Vermont Ave Suite 100-B
Kansas City, KS 66101
913.689.9375
Español: 913.708.0286
kwc@mountosb.org