Thursday, November 30, 2006, families at the Family Center were treated to a visit from Fox & Friends, Fox News’ anchor Steve Doocy, along with producer Jennifer Williams.

Their much awaited arrival was met with caroling clients, excited about the visit.  After Dan Doty and Dennis Chapman made the introductions, Cord Cochran, Family Center Administrator, gave the blessing. Steve and Jennifer quickly donned City Union Mission aprons and began serving chicken and rice dinners to our families.



“Our families greeted the Fox & Friends news team very warmly. I love watching the interaction.  You know both Steve and Jennifer are so personable. Their presence really was an encouragement to the families,” said Dan Doty.



After dinner, Steve and Dan had an opportunity for a brief conversation before heading back to their hotel. Dan related, “Last night we had 250 men at the Men’s shelter and we’re expecting upwards of 300 tonight. This is the coldest day so far. They have been coming in all day.”

Steve asked Dan about the hotline that the Mission runs for the whole Kansas City area. As of 5 pm, there were only three rooms left in the entire city. At the Family Center, there were about 90 guests and around 120 were expected. 

Steve wanted to know, “If you weren’t here where would these men go?”

Dan said:

They’d be out on the streets. The fact is we’re running out of space. We only have beds for 190 men so the rest are sleeping on mattresses on the floor of our chapel. We don’t want to turn anyone away, but this situation has to change. This is why we are in the midst of a Capital Campaign where we need to raise $6 million more to build a new facility to house our long term recovery program clients and modify the present men’s shelter to accommodate increasing demand. We are also in the middle of our Celebrate Hope Campaign, our annual effort to raise half of our yearly budget, which is $3.4 million.

If we don’t do it there will be a lot of very unhappy people. Too often that translates to increased crime, but you know we are talking about human beings, many of whom, that is 40% of the ones who come in, are first time homeless. They never expected to be in this situation. If we don’t help them and provide them with at the very least decent shelter and food, what does that say about us as a community?

“I’m interested to know how you feel about working here, and what keeps you going forward,” asked Steve. Dan’s response: “I’m thrilled to be here! Oh yes, there are the tough stories, but when you can provide some hope for people to put their lives back together it’s amazing. People come in at their worst time. Many do grow, and have their lives turned all around to become stable, productive citizens. We get to see that. It’s the good stories that keep us going.”

Steve Doocy grew up in Abilene, where his Dad still lives. In 1983 and 1984, he was with Kansas City’s Channel 9 News. Then he was off to NBC in Washington DC for six years. Steve remembers doing a story about City Union Mission’s Family Center, “This place is terrific! I think it was in ’83 or ’84 when I was here to do a story. I didn’t remember being here till I walked in. You know seeing people who could be your neighbor, who have just had a bad break and need a little help…well it brings a tear to your eye.”

Now that Steve lives in New Jersey he has been involved in volunteering for two missions in Patterson, NJ for 10 years. “Somewhere along the way I developed a heart for the work of the Rescue Mission. In Patterson there’s so much drug addiction. It’s tough.”

Steve was in town to do a book signing for his new book, “Mr. & Mrs. Happy,” with Rainy Day Books.

To read what Steve had to say about his visit please click here.

If you would like information about our volunteer opportunities please click here.