Rising Stars: Meet Beth Johnson of Olathe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Johnson.

Hi Beth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I retired in 2021 from a long career in public service with the Johnson County Government. I had never anticipated retiring early, so it was quite a surprise when I sensed God was leading me to begin a new chapter in my life. Shortly after I announced my retirement, my pastor from Faith Journey Church of the Nazarene, asked me if I would be interested in leading a team to explore some of the most pressing needs of people living in Downtown Olathe. I quickly said “yes,” in a relatively short period, it became apparent that those experiencing homelessness or may be on the brink of losing their housing, need a great deal of support and guidance with accessing resources and developing a plan to take positive steps forward. Later that year, the decision to develop a separate non-profit was made and Life Journey Foundation was created. I became the Director of Life Journey, and in addition to my administrative responsibilities, I began mentoring several women who had experienced chronic homelessness.

It’s important to note, that during the year that Life Journey was launched, my husband and I were still healing from a very difficult season within our marriage and we were not yet fully on the other side of our journey. In many ways, our church and church family was our sanctuary and a place where we could be honest about our struggle and received so much love and support. The foundation of Life Journey is built on the premise that relationship with others comes first, and we strive to offer the same kind of Christ-like, unconditional love and acceptance that we both received. As I became more comfortable in my new role and continued my healing process, it became apparent that God was using my hurt in a way that helped me to better understand the struggles of the ladies I mentor and others who have become connected with Life Journey. I have found it a true privilege and honor to hear their stories and help them discover and work towards a better life for themselves,  while developing a deeper personal faith. My husband is a volunteer for Life Journey and serving together has become an important part of our healing journey. He takes the lead on organizing our monthly meals and is a mentor for several of the men.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road forward. For example, Life Journey began with absolutely no budget, and we continue to operate with all volunteers and a very modest budget. Though we have some outstanding volunteers, we desperately need more mentors because the need far exceeds our capacity and long-term mentorship is one of the most critical unmet needs of those who are in need of support. It has also been a process to learn how to best support those who have experienced chronic homelessness and are finally able to secure housing. There are many steps forward and inevitably steps backward, particularly for those who struggle with mental illness and addiction, which often includes unstable employment and difficulty with maintaining healthy boundaries and navigating conflict in personal relationships. It has also been a challenge to find affordable housing, especially for those who have poor credit, a past eviction, or a criminal background. In addition, for those living on the street or in their vehicles, temporary shelter options are extremely limited in our area, and even options outside of Johnson County are often full. As a result, some people continue living unsheltered for extended periods.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I worked in the disability field for over 30 years and retired from Johnson County Developmental Supports in 2021 from this organization, I worked as a direct support professional, case manager, Case Management Coordinator, and Director of Day and Employment Services. I have always loved program development and particularly enjoyed having a part in developing more employment options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I was also involved with the implementation of person-centered for folks with disabilities and loved helping people identify their goals, as they moved closer to realizing their hopes and dreams for the future.

As I have transitioned into my new role, I continue to be energized by discovering “what’s next” to help fulfill the organization’s  mission and best meet the needs of the people we support. I’m very persistent and tenacious once a particular area of focus is identified as a priority and I love collaborating with others who share a similar vision and are passionate and creative. It has been my experience that working in a silo is never as effective as using a team approach and drawing on the strengths of others, including those who are the recipients of services.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The most fulfilling aspect of my current role is seeing people who have lost hope for a better future, begin to believe that their lives can be different and that there are people who genuinely care about them and want to help them move forward. Most of those we have assisted have been marginalized or even feared, and it has been such a blessing to see them slowly begin to feel a part of their community and accepted in a way that they never have in the past. One of my favorite memories over the past two years has been celebrating birthdays with a few people who have never had a birthday party. Many who come to Life Journey for assistance have broken family relationships, and common traditions like celebrating birthdays are often overlooked. Several people have commented that they now feel like part of a family, and I am often humbled by how much appreciation is expressed for very simple acts of kindness. I am also so impressed by the almost universal desire of those who have received help, to give back and become a blessing to others.

It is also important to note that over the past two years,  Life Journey has helped secure housing for 17 people and the vast majority have maintained their living situation. housing. We also offer programming that extends beyond helping those experiencing homelessness. For example, we offer a monthly respite night for single parents, life enrichment classes for children and adults (art, budgeting, support groups, crafts, etc.), and a monthly Come to the Table potluck that is open to anyone in our community. All of these options focus on building relationships and providing a variety of positive activities that meet the needs of our community neighbors.

Contact Info:

• Website: lifejourneyfoundation.org
• Facebook: Life Journey Foundation