Meet Meg Ward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Ward.

Hi Meg, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My older sister Kait has autism, so honestly I was very much born into the world of loving and advocating for people with disabilities. There is no other person who has more profoundly influenced my story. My sister has taught me so much about dignity, faith, and the transformative power of relationships – all key foundations of JoyKC.

I graduated from KU with my Masters in Low Incidence Disabilities with a Specialty in Transition Services. I have worked in various professional and ministry settings serving folks with disabilities. I currently run a Day Service Program that serves adults with disabilities as my full-time job.

For the last four years, I worked in a part-time capacity with a similar ministry where I facilitated monthly programs for kids and adults with disabilities. About a year and a half ago now, that ministry ended up uprooting from Kansas City and relocating to a different state. It left me in a very raw place of asking Jesus, “What is my response to this?” We had built this 4-year community and it did not feel right to stop gathering.

And here we are as JoyKC.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was not necessarily planning to start a non-profit ministry. There is so much that I’m still learning. This process has very much required my humility and my faith. Figuring out how to start a nonprofit while working a full-time job while not having a business background was definitely challenging. And yet, it has been so right. We really have experienced such community buy-in and favor. This ministry has been surrounded by countless business-minded men and women who have helped us develop sustainability and structure. This ministry continues to grow in the number of folks we are serving and the volunteers who help us do what we do. We would seriously fail without the people who have championed our cause with their time, their finances, and/or their prayer. Their “yes” is making it possible for us to increase the frequency of our events and the volume of those we are serving.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
JoyKC is a faith-based nonprofit that serves youth (ages 15+) and adults with disabilities in the Kansas City area. We provide free monthly programs with various themes (i.e., Sweetheart Dance, Talent Show, Carnival, Minute to Win It). At every event, we focus on fun and new experiences while also sharing about Jesus and His Word. In our first year, we facilitated programs once a month. In looking to 2022, we will be hosting events twice a month.

We implement a “buddy” system where our guests with disabilities are paired with a volunteer for the night. The purpose of this isn’t to “watch” or “babysit” anyone but rather to promote friendship. The world can often view people with disabilities through a filtered lens of negative stigma and stereotypes. This can seriously affect social and vocational success and integration. At JoyKC, we want to be excellent at relationship. This not only increases social capitol for the men and women we are serving (i.e., increased quality of life, increased life span) but also holds the potential to dissemble and change outdated perspectives regarding people with disabilities through the context of friendship.

The ripple effect of hosting our JoyKC nights is to also give respite for parents and caregivers and the long-term nature that their role requires.

As many social and recreational opportunities for folks with disabilities can often decline post-high school, we intentionally host evening programs as we want to target and address this need.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Don’t believe in luck. Launching JoyKC can only be attributed to Jesus and His crazy favor and goodness.

Pricing:

• All JoyKC events are free!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.joykc.org
• Instagram: joykc_official
• Facebook: JoyKC