Inspiring Conversations with Myranda Agnew of Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope

Today we’d like to introduce you to Myranda Agnew.

Hi Myranda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After a long day, it was a phone call that changed where I am today. At that current time, I was in a 14-year career as the Assistant Director of Human Resources for Leavenworth Public Schools—a dream job. One I had gone to school for. I worked my tail off to hold a Bachelor of Science in Management and Human Resources from Park University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University. But these “COVID days” were long and hard, and this day was no different. I saw that I had missed a call from Linda Martin, one of the Community of Hope’s Directors. I was a volunteer there and would sporadically help with their social media pages or fundraiser ideas. I thought this was just another one of those calls. I was walking in the door around 6:00 p.m., exhausted and emotional, when I decided to call her back before I forgot. I remember where I was standing in our home (I had just walked in the door), the words “what are your thoughts on taking over the Community of Hope” and that tears ran down my face when my husband welcomed me home. The rest is a blur. I had such peace in what would become a 2-week process of deciding it was time to give up my 14-year tenure at the Leavenworth School District, take a pay cut, and be CEO of the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope, the local homeless shelter and resourcing center for Leavenworth County, that coming January (January 2021).

I am starting my third year in this role and am humbled and grateful for the opportunity. In 2019, just before the pandemic, my husband had been on a similar journey. From finishing his Music Therapy degree at KU and having a 7-year tenure as a Music Therapist in the KCK, Bonner, and Piper School Districts, he felt led to jump ship and take a job as a Worship Leader with Westside Leavenworth. Through praying for the right decision, pay cuts, schedule adjustments (one will always miss Christmas, summer, and spring breaks), and living ‘on a mission,’ he led the way to be brave, knowing God would provide. And he has.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh man – this question is challenging itself 🙂 As a struggling learner, it was tough, yet peaceful, when I was finishing my degrees with young children. The decision to switch careers was challenging yet oddly peaceful. Unfortunately, this life we get to live has no promises that it won’t be hard, and yes, so many days are hard. In our house, we talk a lot about values, and many times when there is a struggle, it’s because two values conflict. I was torn when I got asked to take over the Community of Hope. I had worked so hard to finish school, get the degrees, and work myself up to be a District Administrator in a large school district. That is nothing to take lightly, and I didn’t take it for granted. I had a healthy salary, one that could provide for my family. I had insurance, benefits, days off, and a contract. In saying yes, I was saying no to all of that. People called me crazy and had the table been turned. I might have done the same thing. It wasn’t an easy decision but one that created peace and one I haven’t regretted. Daily, my current job is heavy. I have a Business Administration degree and have worked in HR for 14 years. There was always a policy or procedure, something black and white to reference. That is not the case in my current job. We’re running a business with no expected income (we don’t run on many grants, just generous donations from the community). We may have one group of unhoused one day and a new group the following week. The struggles are daily when you support individuals who have to work 10 times harder every day to survive. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Another struggle being a working mom and the provider for our family is a struggle. I love working. I love people. I love serving. I also love my husband and girls to the moon and back. I want to be all things to everyone, and this is a leadership struggle I have had for over 15 years (and a struggle I have to share with God for lots and lots of grace). We can improve the world and strive daily while providing for our families and being the best wife and moms.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
The Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope is committed to ending homelessness in Leavenworth County, holistically breaking down barriers and stereotypes as we provide basic needs, a safe place of belonging, hope, and empowerment.

We achieve our purpose by:

1. Providing a safe and respectful place of belonging for the unhoused of Leavenworth County.
2. Educating and bringing awareness of homelessness.
3. Providing trauma-informed care to those who walk through our doors.
4. Create a culture of peace, hope, and respect.
5. Connect clients with community resources.
6. Provide a safe place to gather to access facilities that meet basic needs during the day.
7. Provide a safe place to sleep.

There are three entities within the Community of Hope: the Night Shelter, the Day Center, and Welcome Central. The Night Shelter is a safe place for unhoused individuals in Leavenworth County to find rest for the night. Welcome Central is the entity that resources those in our community with needs for clothing, food, assistance with rent/utilities obtaining identification (birth certificate, ID, social security card), and helps with applications. Welcome Central also provides free transportation (no public transportation in our community) and free lunch to the entire Leavenworth community. The Day Center is an environment where individuals learn to do their part by partaking in chores and other life skills. At the day shelter, individuals receive three meals daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and basic needs are met (i.e., a shower, laundry, and a clean sink for daily grooming). In addition to the services mentioned above, and to assist in removing as many barriers as possible, the Community of Hope provides the following resources:

1. Free, on-site haircuts twice a month
2. Free medical care via Care Beyond the Boulevard, on-site once a month
3. A Case Manager from The Guidance Center on-site 5 days/week

We do all of this with 2 full-time employees and 8 part-time employees. Otherwise, we run on a network of volunteers.

Before we go, can you talk to us about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
At the Community of Hope, we constantly seek funding through grants, financial donations, partners, or fundraising opportunities. We are also looking for volunteers to support our programs. In addition, we are constantly looking for partners to help support those living in poverty and the unhoused population to break down barriers. If you are a medical, financial, substance, etc., or have a service to provide, we’d love to partner with you! In Leavenworth County, if you have a passion for collaborating, educating, and advocating to serve those in need in Leavenworth County, join the Leavenworth County Human Services Council, which meets monthly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. (500 Limit Street, Leavenworth). I am this organization’s current president and aim to grow this organization to support those in need. At the state level, join the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition and, more specifically, the Northeast Regional meetings held the first Thursday of the month via Zoom at 9:00 a.m. I am the Regional Coordinator and would love to grow our network to continue supporting unhoused people in our region. Otherwise, get involved. It doesn’t have to be the unhoused or even an organization I’m passionate about. Find your passion and get involved. It takes all of us!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lvcommunityofhope.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeavenworthInterfaithCommunityofHope
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myrandaagnew/