The Story of Passageways
The dream began in mid- 2014 and became a reality in September of 2014.This program was developed by two individuals who have worked in congregate housing and hospice for many years; providing the experience and knowledge needed to be successful.
The co-founders saw a news report about a homeless veteran who died under a bridge, alone. This was simply unacceptable and the two set about gathering information from local homeless providers. They found that there was nothing being done for homeless Veterans in the greater Wichita area and Passageways was born.
Passageways, Ltd. comprises three unique and autonomous programs, all dedicated to addressing the significant needs of our nation's homeless Heroes-U.S. Military Veterans. Each program focuses on a variety of issues veterans face when life becomes challenging. Our holistic approach aims to bring healing, strength, and comfort, while creating a roadmap to success. All services provided to the veterans are free of charge.
Passageways Living Center is where our journey began. This four-bedroom house can accommodate up to eight formerly homeless veterans, offering them a temporary place to stay while they rebuild their lives. At the core of the Living Center is the focus on healing. We work within each veteran's abilities to overcome the hidden wounds of war and help them become functioning members of the community. We are acutely aware of the medical and mental health challenges our Heroes face. Many arrive at the Living Center already dealing with various health issues. Our initial focus is on their internal well-being, including medical and mental health, spiritual health, and economic situation. This approach helps our Heroes understand that their past mistakes do not define their current opportunities or decrease their chances of success.
As we helped these Heroes transition to their own homes, we became concerned about their ability to sustain housing, especially when moving into places without furnishings or household supplies. To meet this vital need, we began collecting gently used household donations, ensuring that no Hero would start their new life in an empty room. This effort soon evolved into our Outreach Center. Here, any veteran transitioning from homelessness to their own place can shop for essential supplies, including furniture, linens, cookware, and dishes. The Outreach Center is a treasure trove of everything needed to set up a home and is completely free to veterans who are or are at risk of becoming homeless. In late 2024, we celebrated giving away over $1.3 million worth of household goods to this vulnerable population.
Our third program, Falanne House, is aptly named after a female veteran who would literally give the shirt off her back to help another veteran. Falanne House is designed to mirror the Living Center, focusing on the unique needs of single female veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Each program—Passageways Living Center, Outreach Center, and Falanne House—demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring veterans experiencing homelessness have the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives.
Passageways has been featured in two documentaries on KPTS, Live on the Brett and Sierra Show, and reported on by KAKE-TV and KSN-TV. We have featured documentaries on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/passagewaysltd) and our website (www.passagewaysltd.org)
For more information, please contact us at 316.721.1316 (Jennifer Garrison, Chief Executive Officer or Susan Moellinger, President).