The Mission Project

11/20/2025

The Mission Project wants to invite you to join, and/or spread the word about an upcoming event.

🌟 Sibling Support Group – Special Guest Speaker! 🌟

Are you a sibling of someone with Autism or an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD)?
Join us for a supportive, meaningful evening designed just for you.

🗓 Date: Monday, December 1, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30-7:30pm
📍 Location: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86416442631?pwd=iP6zmaIJxY15pbpL0qSY8AMPJIbrJN.1

This month, we’re excited to welcome a guest speaker who has spent the last 13 years caring for his brother with autism/IDD. He’ll share his real-life experiences—the challenges, joys, lessons learned, and what he wishes he’d known sooner.

Whether you’re looking for connection, practical strategies, or simply a space to talk with others who “get it,” this group offers a welcoming and understanding community.

What to Expect:

• A heartfelt conversation with our guest speaker
• Tips for balancing caregiving, boundaries, and self-care
• Time to connect with other siblings
• A safe, judgment-free space to share your story

Open to adult siblings. Free to attend.

Come feel seen, supported, and understood.

11/19/2025

The holidays can be overwhelming, so we love sharing tools that help make the season more comfortable for our community. 🧡🤎

11/17/2025

For two decades, The Mission Project has helped adults with developmental disabilities, including Autism and Down Syndrome, build independent and fulfilling lives.

Participants live in Mission, Kansas, a walkable community with access to jobs, shops, parks, recreation, and supportive neighbors. With guidance from The Mission Project, they rent their own apartments, manage their finances, maintain employment, and stay connected with friends.

They exercise together, travel, learn new skills, and give back through community service. It is a one-of-a-kind organization that has made a lasting difference for both participants and their families.

Learn more and make a donation here: https://themissionproject.org/donate/

11/14/2025

A birthday at Arrowhead? Yes please! 🥳

The Mission Project participant, Alex celebrated her big day with an unforgettable tour of the stadium, and we’re so excited to highlight this special moment.

Join us in wishing her a very happy birthday!

11/11/2025

Clubs are a core part of what we do. They help participants practice independence, build social skills, and feel connected to their community.

Our most recent Bunco night had everything: a costume contest (Jaclynn for the win as Cinderella), birthday treats for Alex, and a whole lot of joy!

Want to learn more about our mission and how we support independent living?

themissionproject.org

11/07/2025

Participant Spotlight: Josh ✨

Josh joined The Mission Project in 2012 and has been building an independent, full life ever since. He works at Hy-Vee in Prairie Village, stays involved in our Participant Advisory Committee, attends Mission, KS City Council meetings to bring updates back to his peers, and recently started learning ASL.

He loves sports, traveling, music, and spending time with friends.
Since joining the program, Josh’s confidence and independence have grown so much. He enjoys having his own space, his own routine, and a community that supports his goals.

Keep shining, Josh! We can’t wait to see what you do next.

Learn more about The Mission Project: https://themissionproject.org/

A place where adult persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live, work, play and participate in the life of the community, living independently with individualized support.

11/06/2025

Cory is celebrating an incredible milestone, 18 years of working at Security Bank of Kansas City!

To mark the occasion, Deb Settle, President of the NEJC Chamber, and Kristin Nichols, Executive Director of The Mission Project, joined Cory for a celebration at Baskin-Robbins. 🍦

Congratulations, Cory, on 18 years of dedication and success — your hard work and positivity inspire us all.

11/04/2025

Art Club got into the fall spirit with pumpkin carving! Participants created their own designs, from classic jack o’ lantern faces to spiders, trees, and everything in between. 🎃

The Mission Project clubs offer more than just fun activities. They help participants build confidence, friendships, and life skills in a supportive environment that celebrates creativity and independence.

Want to learn more about The Mission Project? Learn more here: https://themissionproject.org/

10/31/2025

The Mission Project is excited to launch a new pilot program in partnership with STRIVE, offering two first-of-their-kind online, interactive courses designed to help individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism build vital independent living skills.

These engaging classes — Self-Advocacy & Boundaries and Unwritten Rules: Social Skills Decoded — provide practical tools for building confidence, communication, and independence.

Because they’re fully online and interactive, these courses are a great opportunity for individuals with IDD living in rural communities to access high-quality learning and connection, no matter where they are.

With each course, participants receive a certificate of completion that builds toward larger Competency Certificates in independent living skills.

Have questions or ready to get started?

Our Executive Director, Kristin Nichols, would love to connect with you about course details and how to sign up!

Learn more ➡️ https://themissionproject.org/mission-project-strive…/

10/30/2025

Outings like this remind us why our clubs matter. Through World Dining Club, participants explore new places, practice social skills, and build friendships — all while enjoying amazing meals!

This time, Strang Hall allowed participants to experience six incredible restaurants all in one place — and everyone found something they loved!

Learn more about The Mission Project here ➡️ https://themissionproject.org/about-us/

10/27/2025

Thank you to KSHB 41 and KSHB Alyssa Jackson for sharing how Johnson County is working to build trust and understanding between officers and adults with disabilities. Every step toward inclusion makes our community stronger. 💙

Read the story here: https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/johnson-county-joins-national-effort-to-improve-interactions-between-officers-disabled-adults

10/24/2025

Lifelong learning opens doors — to confidence, independence, and connection. At The Mission Project, we believe learning is for everyone. Whether it’s exploring creativity through Art and Drama, trying new cuisines with the World Dining Club, traveling with friends, or mastering new technology, our participants are always growing.

Your donations make these opportunities possible. Every gift, share, and like helps our participants thrive independently.

Donate now ➡️ https://themissionproject.networkforgood.com/projects/150508-giveindependence-2022