Our History

In 1879, Father Bernard Donnelly established Mount St. Bernard’s Orphanage in Kansas City. With that one act of faith, hope and charity, many lives — and a community — were transformed.

And, from that humble beginning a strong tradition of compassionate care and social service took root, thrived, and grew to become Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Catholic Charities empowers at risk people to create a pathway out of poverty by alleviating their immediate crises to create stability; then providing robust support to lift them to dignity and self-reliance.

Today, millions of lives have been transformed, in the communities we serve.

We have office locations in the Kansas City metro-area, St. Joseph, Missouri, a Food Pantry in Kansas City and another in Cameron, Missouri, while serving a 27-county region.

Mission

Helping people move to a better life through hope-filled care, services, and advocacy; calling all those of goodwill to join us.

Vision

By lifting people in need to the dignity of self-reliance, and encouraging others to help, our communities will become one human family.

Values

Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration

Program Overview

The AmeriCorps VISTA – Adoptions PR & Marketing Capacity Builder will strengthen the public relations, marketing, and outreach infrastructure of the Adoptions Department to increase community awareness, family inquiries, and long-term program sustainability. This role focuses exclusively on capacity building, not direct client services, by developing marketing systems, outreach tools, and messaging strategies that support ethical, mission-aligned adoption services for families impacted by poverty and instability.   

This VISTA program provides a living allowance of $957.46, bi-weekly, that enables each member to live very frugally, like members of the communities they are serving. 

For more information about the VISTA program and to apply, please visit:  Volunteer Benefits | AmeriCorps This link will explain all of the information/benefits VISTA employees would receive, in addition to the living allowance listed.  

This position is listed under Catholic Charities USA, job ID #131196, 26-27 Kansas City Adoptions PR & Marketing.  

This VISTA position is a full time one that will be based on site at Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph's main Kansas City office, located at 8001 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO 64134. This position is based on a 38-hour compressed work week, hours are M-Th 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.  The agency is closed on Fridays.  This position may be eligible for a remote hybrid schedule after 90 days.  

Member Activities (Capacity-Building Only) 

The VISTA member will not provide direct client services, counseling, or casework. All activities focus on systems-building and sustainability. 

Essential Duties

Marketing & Communications Development 

• Support development of adoption-specific marketing materials, messaging guides, and outreach content. 
• Assist with drafting and organizing content for newsletters, website updates, and social media related to adoption awareness. 
• Help ensure adoption messaging aligns with Catholic Charities branding, mission, and ethical adoption standards.  

Public Relations & Outreach Systems 

• Develop outreach toolkits for parishes, community partners, and referral sources (e.g., talking points, flyers, digital content). 
• Assist in documenting outreach workflows and engagement strategies to support consistency over time. 
• Support planning of awareness campaigns tied to adoption-related observances or recruitment efforts.  

Data Tracking & Marketing Evaluation 

• Assist in organizing and tracking adoption inquiry data related to marketing and outreach efforts. 
• Help analyze trends in inquiries and engagement to inform future marketing strategies. 
• Develop simple tracking tools to monitor outreach effectiveness and support leadership decision-making. 

Systems Documentation & Sustainability 

• Document marketing processes, outreach timelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). 
• Create reusable templates and guides that staff can maintain after the VISTA term concludes. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen long-term visibility and outreach capacity within the Adoptions Department.  

Capacity-Building Outcomes 

As a result of the VISTA’s service: 

• The Adoptions Department will have clearer, more consistent marketing and outreach systems. 
• Program leadership will have improved tools to track and evaluate outreach effectiveness. 
• Community awareness of ethical, mission-aligned adoption services will increase. 
• Sustainable marketing and PR infrastructure will remain in place beyond the VISTA term.  Program Development & Systems Building.

Required:

• Interest in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit administration, or social services. 
• Strong written communication and organizational skills. 
• Comfort with basic digital tools (content drafting, spreadsheets, simple analytics). 
• Ability to work independently within a structured work plan. 
• Commitment to Catholic Charities’ mission and Catholic Social Teachings.

AmeriCorps VISTA Requirements 

• Position is capacity-building only and does not include direct service. 
• Full-time service commitment for one year. 
• Participation in required AmeriCorps VISTA trainings and activities. 
• Adherence to all AmeriCorps policies and prohibited activities guidelines.  
• Commitment to the AmeriCorps VISTA mission of alleviating poverty.

While performing job duties, staff will:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflict to achieve the greater good.
• Respect the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their own lives.
• Adheres to our values of Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration.