KCMEC FAQs

2009-12-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

KCMEC is a grassroots organization concieved by a group of sisters wishing to bring hope and empowerment to our most vulnerable community members so that they in turn might be inspired to empower another.

The mandate of KCMEC is to distribute services and resources in an efficient and effective way to support empowerment initiatives serving individuals in need within the metropolis.

KCMEC will work in cooperation with already established local service providers to meet its objectives as well as introduce new initiatives as deemed necessary and appropriate.

KCMEC invites advise and partnership initiatives with organisations serving the metropolis.

KCMEC will maintain a yearly census of community members and base its needs assessment through zakat on those reporting to not be in requirement of paying the zakat. Although each individual is free to send their zakat wherever they choose

KCMEC will encourage the community to allow their zakat and sadaqat to be held in trust by the trustees of the coalition fund which will be held by the Kansas City Metropolitan Islamic Credit Union.

KCMEC will maintain strict separation of zakat and sadaqat so as to maintain the integrity of the mandates of zakat while using the sadaqat to serve the Kansas City Community at large in order to empower its needy citizens in a manner that is consistent with the values encouraged through stewardship.

KCMEC will not fund any program that will negatively impact Islam nor will it discriminate in funding need based programs from available sadaqat.

KCMEC will not fund any militia but will at its discretion consider requests for dependent families in areas of conflict. These funds will be funneled through a secure organization such as Red Cross or Red Crescent

KCMEC will accept and evaluate request for zakat and/or sadaqat from organizations outside of the metropolis and will fund such worthy causes according to its financial strength.

KCMEC will accept and distribute zakat al fitr in food or grocery gift certificates locally.

KCMEC will oversee the butchering and distribution of Qurban if requested.

Initial initiatives of KCMEC include; a homeless shelter for women, housing cooperative for women in transition due to widowhood, divorce, or other catastrophe. Livelihood support for ladies in transitory careers. Support for food pantries and clothes closets as well as support for the elderly and very poor and/or those engaged in caring for the aged and orphans.

The primary goal for KCMEC is to move individuals from a position of need to a position of giving by giving them the support and tools that they may need to empower themselves to becoming self sufficient.

Shelter ladies in transition

2009-10-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Each year in Kansas City we hear of extreme numbers of women going without winter shelter. We must not let this year be the same. The sisters directing the initiatives of KCMEC are working hard to procure a no interest financing option for a 45 room building in the North Eastern corridor of Kansas City. This building will have the capacity to shelter up 160 ladies in a safe, cooperative, and empowering environment.

The sisters first and formost intent is to provide shelter to this very vulnerable population in a metropolis that has no shelter dedicated to the shelter of homeless women, before winter sets in hard. The sisters also plan to help ladies who request services to explore options available to bring about positive changes in thier positions.

There will be a special assessment area for ladies in need of services due to domestic abuse to determine the most appropriate shelter for these ladies. One such alternative would be the Sisters Cottage that is being planned specifically to shelter eight sisters in transition, behind an undisclosed private residence.

The sisters are in immediate need of raising the down payment for the shelter and securing the property for the Sisters Cottage. Your tax deductable donation of 100.00 or more can make these inititiatives reality. Your pledge of 30.00 per month will provide shelter for a lady in transition for that month. Please don't wait as winter is setting in fast and the sisters have less than 30 days to secure the resources for these vital initiatives.

When making a donation please specify if the donation is zakat so that it can allocated properly.

For more information about KCMEC and other initiatives sponsered by KCMEC email the sisters at kcmec@yahoo.com