Hathaway 1

Rickisha Hathaway

Tasha Haas

English Comp 1

06/4/2018

Essay 2: Profile Essay

I choose to have an interview with Rev. Dan Doty the Chief Executive Director of

Kansas City’s City Union Mission. I met Rev. Doty once when I was a resident of the shelter for

a short stay in 2013. It was a rough time for me. I had been just released from jail for passing bad

checks. I have no family in Kansas City. I had been taking care of my self for so long. That now

I found myself homeless, clothes less, carless, broke and hungry. When I was in jail a group of

KU students had started a project called She Empowerment. They had given us women a folder

of resources. Clinics, Food Pantry’s Clothing Banks, Shelters lots of Community Resources. I

found myself walking around no where to go. I took that folder out. Found a pay phone and

called the homeless hotline. It was 12am and I was told to go to the City Union Mission.

Here I am walking through the security doors of the only place I had to go. The place that

changed my life forever. I was escorted to the Reverends office. Inside at his desk sat Rev. Dan

Doty. He looked a bit different from what I remembered. Gone was his large bulk size. The

lumber jack shirts. And the full beard. Rev. Doty. Had lost a remarkable amount of weight which

I later found out it was because of a weight lost surgery he under went a few years back. He was

a very tall man around 6’3. Slim now. Salt and pepper clean cut hair. And one of those

mustaches from the 1800s. That if he wanted he could make each end stick straight out and curly

at the ends.
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We shook hands I reminded him that t I was there to conduct an interview for a school

assignment. I started off with how I resided there for a short time 5 years ago. And how it

changed my life. Then I asked him to tell me a little about himself and how the shelter started

and how he became the Director.

Reverend Daniel J. Doty was born in South Rockwood, Michigan, March 10, 1954 and

married August 7, 1976 to Evangeline Doty. Reverend Doty has four children ages 13-22. He is

a graduate of Moody Bible Institute with a BA and Master, Arts from Calvary Bible College. He

is also a graduate of Capital Bible Seminary with a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology.

He is a member of Downtown Rotary and the KC Chamber of Commerce. Reverend Doty's

career at City Union Mission began in 1978, when he served as Chaplain and Assistant to the

Superintendent. He then served as Chaplain, Central Union Mission, Washington, D.C from

1981-1983. He rejoined City Union Mission in 1983 and served as Assistant to the

Superintendent. Until January 1, 1992 when he was appointed Chief Executive Director.

Dan and wife Vannie are horse lovers and keep a small stable (7 horses) at their home

near Trimble, Missouri. They host clients at their home for hayrides, bonfires and cookouts. All

their children, four daughters and one son, are married and out of the home. Dan serves in the

Tri-County Ambulance Board and the Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust. Dan has been a member

at Emmanuel Bible Church in Smithville, Missouri for more than 25 years.

The City Union Mission was started by Reverend and Mrs. David Bulkley on September

15, 1924. In that year alone, the Mission provided meals to over 2,000 homeless men living on

the streets. In 1927, the Bulkley's moved the Mission to the Harbor, a former brothel. The Harbor

became home to hundreds of homeless men until 1940. During these years, the Bulkley's added

emergency services for needy families, Sunday school, a rehabilitation farm in the Ozarks, The
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City Union Mission Camp in the Ozarks, summer camps for the inner-city children. In June of

1940 Rev. Bulkley died, and his wife Beulah directed the Mission until 1954, the board of

directors called Rev Bulkeys son in law Rev. Maurice Vanderberg and his wife, Ruth (the

Bulkley's daughter) to direct Mission. Maurice created the Christian Life Program in 1954, a

recovery program for homeless men. The Mission relocated in 1960 to the Boys Club Building,

where the Mission operated its first youth center, providing after-school and summer programs

for up to 400 inner-city children weekly. In 1972, the Mission moved to 1108 E. 10th Street,

where its Men's Center is today. In 1978, the Mission opened Pilgrim House Family Shelter in to

the growing number of homeless families. By 1983, the Mission's ministries to low income and

homeless families moved to the City Union Mission Family Center at 1310 Wabash. In 1985, the

Mission began the Hotline for the Homeless to connect the homeless to available shelter in the

city. Rev. Vanderberg retired as Executive Director on December 31, 1991. Rev. Dan Doty who

had been Rev. Vanderberg’s assistant for 10 years became Chief Executive Director, January 1,

1992. He holds that position today.

He offers me coffee. I quickly turn down. He makes himself a large mug and sits down. I

begin the interview. What services do you offer?

We offer separate emergency shelters for men, for women, and for families. Long-term

recovery programs for men, women, and families. After-school and summer programs for youth.

Summer camp for kids ages 4-16 and 3 thrift stores.

Do your long-term recovery programs work?

Yes. Regular work assignments on Mission grounds help develop a positive work ethic

and complete tasks that are vital to our daily operation.

Do you ever turn anyone away from emergency shelter?

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We don’t turn a man away unless he becomes a danger to other guests. Our Hotline for

the Homeless searches city shelters for placement of women and families, but sadly there are

times when there are no beds available.

Who is welcomed at the Family Center?

Single women, married couples, single parents, and relatives caring for children younger

than 18.

How long can people stay at the Family Center?

First-time guests can stay up to thirty days. Returning guests can stay up to two weeks,

with opportunity for extensions for all. If they enter recovery and discipleship programs. Then up

to nine months.

What Services do you provide for homeless or poor youth?

Vanderberg Youth Center offers children and teens life-skills classes, tutors, Bible

studies, and recreational activities.

What can someone do to help the Mission?

Bake cookies, create welcome bags, participate in Mission: Christmas, make inspirational or

seasonal wall and table decorations, give financially, sponsor drives and collect items needed.

City Union Mission said it will not allow same-sex couples to stay together in its family

homeless shelter. Why?

We are a Christian, faith-based organization that really does adhere to biblical standards.

Our view is that it is inappropriate. Our intent is not to shelter same-sex couples together. If

Married, same-sex couples who insist on being housed together, they will be referred to another

area organization willing to accommodate them.

Are there other organizations willing to do that?

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Yes. Salvation Army, Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph and Restart Inc.

How much does it cost to house an individual?

For an individual to stay in our overnight shelter costs $19.00 per day. For an individual

to stay in a long-term recovery program costs $29.00 per day.

What programs do you offer?

Career Development, Family Shelter, Community Assistance, Men’s Shelter, Clothing

Vouchers, Food Pantry, Back to school program, Xmas and Thanksgiving Program, Furniture

Vouchers, New Life Program, New Beginnings Program, Christian Life Program, Vanderberg

Youth Center,

I have a description of the different programs as well as examples of success storys but

this is all I have for now.