Hear More about Drumm!

 From the Director 

Drumm Farm recently held a job fair for campus jobs on our farm, in our kitchen and at our market. More than 20 young people filled out applications and had individual interviews with the Farm Manager, Market Coordinator and Food Service Director. Andrew Drumm believed that young people who learn and embrace work ethic have the ability to overcome whatever challenges they face. Today young people on our campus experience work through service projects, chores, farming, retail sales, and food service, learning basic values including punctuality, diligence, trustworthiness, manners, and so much more. 

Recently the remodel and transformation of the former dining hall into the H. R. Nelson Hall for Counseling and Education has grown our ability to serve an increasing population of young people living at or associated with Drumm Farm. The lower level of the building includes space for educational and counseling services while the upstairs banquet room and commercial kitchen allows us to have space for our community to gather for celebrations and services.

Nelson Hall has garnered a great deal of attention for those looking to rent space for their events. Several professional and civic groups have booked or are considering Drumm as their event location. We are using this interest to increase opportunities for young people to learn and experience working in food service. Nelson Hall accommodates up to 150 people and is a fantastic space to hold small weddings, business meetings, training sessions and more. "Your Event, Our Success" is the mantra for Nelson Hall as we provide a space for special memories while giving our young people the values needed for a successful life.

Please "LIKE" us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun at Drumm Farm Center for Children, Brad 

Alum Returns to Drumm Farm

Ray Blackman, Class of 1961

I was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and my life truly began in 1954 when I was accepted to the Andrew Drumm Institute following a two year waiting period. I wouldn't trade the seven and a half years of growing up at Drumm for any amount of money.

The wonderful staff at Drumm took a very angry child and turned him into a young man that was ready to go out and face the world and be a self-sufficient and productive citizen.

I feel so blessed to be able to return to my childhood home and join a dedicated staff to give back the same support to a group of children that is currently facing the same challenges that I faced as a youth. It provides me the opportunity to share my life experience and to let the children know that I have walked a mile in their shoes.

The majority of my life has been spent in the restaurant industry beginning as a pot and pan washer at Stephenson's Apple Farm restaurant. I have worked in the restaurant industry throughout my career and am excited to share my experiences with young people so that they will be prepared to work in one of the largest industries in the world. I feel grateful to be giving back to my childhood home.

Benefit Dinner 2017

On April 28 the Annual Benefit Dinner: Drumm Bridges, Connecting Promise & Progress was enjoyed by over 350 of Drumm's closest friends. Title and Presenting Sponsors Summit Homes and Carman and Tom Duvall helped make this year's dinner the best yet! Guests enjoyed food, drinks, and auctions and were introduced to three young people who shared their stories about the impact of living at Drumm. The evening ended with the video above showcasing the COMPASS program. Please take a minute to enjoy it. The success of our programs and our young people is a reflection of the support and friendship provided us by YOU! Thank you.

     Click on picture to see video from dinner.

Grant Awarded

Drumm Farm is excited to begin the process of upgrading our data collection, tracking and reporting system through a nationally recognized software called Apricot. Apricot is a secure and flexible software solution that offers real-time access to data through a secure internet connection. Drumm will be able to use the improved reporting to attract, acquire, and maintain new and existing funding necessary for organizational success. Drumm will also be able to evaluate the effectiveness of programming that is provided on the campus. This opportunity was made possible by a $33,000 grant from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City with technical support from the Local Investment Commission (LINC).  Drumm Farm is extremely grateful to our community partners that support our efforts to constantly improve our capacity to serve children and young adults.  

 From the Director

Life at Drumm Farm has been exciting of late:

• Shan Long-Moore has joined the Drumm staff as our Clinical Director and Jason Rogers is now our COMPASS Coordinator, huge additions to the Drumm team.
• The remodel and expansion of H. R. Nelson Hall for Counseling and Education is nearing completion.
• Almost $600,000 was donated for the addition of two new homes on campus, construction slated to begin in July.
• The City of Independence and Builder's Development Corporation are working to help Drumm open COMPASS apartments near the city square.
• Cell phone towers have been popping up in Independence. Drumm is so thankful to Mayor Eileen Weir, Representative Rory Rowland, and City staff for their efforts to get answers and action. 
• Drumm Farm is bustling with activity in preparation for this year's benefit dinner, "Drumm Bridges, Connecting Promise and Progress".
• And early spring means baby lambs and goats have arrived at Drumm!

Please "LIKE" us on Facebook to keep up with all the fun at Drumm Farm Center for Children, Brad 

Meet Our New Staff

Shan Long-Moore, M.A., LPC

Shan recieved her Master in Counseling and Education from UMKC in 2004 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Shan has extensive experience working with diverse dually diagnosed clients in a variety of setting ranging in age from 3 to 65. Additionally she has provided support and guidance to couples, individuals and families who have experienced trauma, eating disorders, sexual misconduct, autism, bereavement, depression, self-esteem and attachment issues. Treatment approaches are an eclectic array of modalities including but not limited to CBT, SFT, MI, TFT, FST and humor. Shan combines her respect for people with a strengths-based approach to assist clients in gaining more insight and achieving their goals in a caring and supportive manner. 

Jason Rogers

Jason comes to Drumm Farm from Cornerstones of Care. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO, Jason has enthusiastically worked in the social work field for 11 years. When Jason is not providing services for Drumm Farm's young adults, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, reading, and watching sports.

Welcome Shan and Jason!

Compass is Expanding

Drumm is expanding the COMPASS program (independent living for young adults who have aged out of foster care or are homeless) by partnering with Builder’s Development Corporation (BDC), a local nonprofit community development organization, to rehabilitate a vacant and abandoned property at 622 S. Crysler Ave., Independence. It will become a place of hope and opportunity for young people striving to become successful adults. Drumm and BDC plan to use the current structure to create a 5-unit facility that will house COMPASS participants working to further their dreams through college or career training.  Drumm will provide regular monitoring of the property through a full-time social worker who will meet weekly with each resident to ensure they are moving toward the accomplishment of their goals.  These young adults will be offered educational and therapeutic support services as well.

We are currently seeking financial support to fulfill the funding requirement needed to complete the rehabilitation of the building. Drumm will be seeking lightly used furniture donations to help these young people have what they need to be comfortable and successful. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact Associate Director, John Tramel.

 From the Director

Recently I spoke to a young couple exploring the possibility of fostering children. As I listened to their hopes and dreams of being a family to children in need, it provided me a much needed respite from the social media rancor that seems to overwhelm our thoughts and dampen our spirits. Right in front of me was a young couple considering the most selfless of acts: providing a home to children in need, a course of action fraught with so many unknowns for themselves. They reminded me that hope and service to those in need still thrives above the noise that can sometimes be so distracting. In my 2016 Drumm Benefit Dinner speech, I asked for your help. If you would "talk about fostering with two or three people, and ask them to talk about fostering with two or three people, we would cause a conversation among thousands." 

I hope you have found the time to have those conversations about fostering as more than 3,000 metropolitan area children are in care. We need that young couple and so many more because the message is critically important; every child deserves to be loved and every child needs a family.

Brad 

Click the image below to learn more about foster care. 

A Season of Blessings and Memories

We can't thank all our generous donors enough! Each and everyone of you made the holidays special for the children at Drumm, including our young people in the Compass program (pictured below)! Olsson Associates, Toyota, The Villas, Drumm Board members, First Presbyterian Church of Independence, GEHA, House of Rocks, Kiwanas Club of Independence, Midwest Genealogy Center, Ragin' Rats Car Club, Rotary Club of Eastern Independence, State Street Corporation, The Salon in KC and many more individuals and families provided gifts and/or money. The funds helped provide a holiday dinner, a visit from Santa, a lighting ceremony, a family experience and a Season to remember. We are blessed to have so much support during the holidays and all year long. THANK YOU ALL!

Drumm is Recognized!

Drumm Farm is honored to have received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Outstanding Organizational Community Service and Leadership from the Independence Human Relations Commission and the Committee of Concerned Citizens.  While we greatly appreciate this recognition, we are clear that we have so much more work to do to live up to an award named in honor of Dr. King.

Dr. King’s focus was to challenge the cancer of racism infiltrating our society, from individual bigotry to unjust policies and laws.  He and thousands of civil rights advocates worked courageously and tirelessly to create a society where all citizens experience freedom and justice.  While Dr. King’s dream is still not fully realized, his immeasurable sacrifice has provided us the opportunity to continue the work that will lead to freedom and justice for all.

Drumm Farm in particular carries this vision forward by working to provide a healing environment for children in foster care, and a community where children are free from experiences of abuse and neglect.  Child abuse and neglect is a significant and complex public health issue that affects children across race, ethnicity, socio-economics, religion, education, and beyond. Families exposed to systemic issues of social and economic inequality and/or interpersonal struggles such as addiction and mental illness face an increased risk of involvement in the child welfare system.  Drumm Farm exists to combat these issues, which impede the very freedom, justice and healing that Dr. King championed.

From the Director

This holiday season we are thankful for so many blessings. More than 70 incredible kids, six dedicated and loving couples, 11 awesome board members, hundreds of generous volunteers and donors, thousands of caring community members, and a professional and tireless staff make for a season of many thanks. 

We look forward to expanding our service footprint beyond the borders of Drumm in the coming years. The growth of our mission is directly connected to the quality of the individuals who support it. We thank you for being one of the people that helps provide a nurturing environment that inspires and yields life long success of children and young adults.

May you and your family have a blessed holiday season. 

Happy Thanksgiving, Brad

Successful Fall Events

A fall to remember:  Dell EMC and Crossroads Golf Classics, City Slickers Hoe Down, Three Trails Tractor Cruise, Olsson Associates Art Show, Drumm Days and a Brew Bash. There was something for everyone this fall. Because of the generosity of many sponsors including Dell EMC, Crossroads Financial, NorthPoint Development, Pete and Elizabeth Anderson, Olsson Associates, Three Trails Tractor Club and MO Better Brews, over $200,000 was raised to support services for our kids that make a difference in their lives and we are THANKFUL TO ALL!

Djemarley is a US Citizen!

Djemarley came to the United States from Haiti and has been living in the Compass program for the last few years. DJ goes to school while working two jobs and is the Resident Assistant for the Compass program. He found time this summer and fall to study for his citizenship test. With the help of teachers, staff, board members, families and kids, he passed with flying red, white and blue colors. We are so proud of you Djemarley!

Holidays are Approaching

Imagine shopping for over 50 kids! The six families living at Drumm will be doing just that in the next couple of months, and they could use your help! If you or your business are interested in helping out, please email Lisa.Moorhouse@drummfarm.org and thank you in advance for your generous spirit!

On Nov. 29, 2016, join the #GivingTuesday movement by donating to Drumm Farm Center for Children.

When you support children in foster care through Drumm, you are investing in the future of our kids. Your contribution means children and young adults can continue living in loving, stable family homes, receive clinical support and education support through our services.

Most importantly, your donation helps young people around the globe create opportunity – for themselves, their communities and our world.

Click here to donate to Drumm this #GivingTuesday, and celebrate the rest of the 2016 holiday season knowing you're helping to change lives.

From the Director

We are pleased to bring you this newsletter from our new constituent database. It is our intent to improve communications about Drumm's mission, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities.

Drumm is excited to announce recent approval of $560,000 in Missouri AHAP tax credits for the construction of a new home for children here at Drumm in the summer of 2017. This will allow us to provide housing for up to 10 additional children. For more information on tax credits, click here!

October is a busy month at Drumm Farm. From golf tournaments to pumpkin patches, from tractor parades to art shows, and a giant hoedown in between, we celebrate our mission. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we hope you will consider joining us this at one of our events this month.

Educational Support Update

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Summers are never dull at Drumm! Our kids completed an awesome day camp experience called Brainfit this summer.  Camp kicked off with a field trip to the Kansas City Zoo and concluded with an awesome afternoon of water slides and a back to school dinner provided by the Board of Directors.

The week proceeding their first day of school, thirty-five kids enjoyed enrichment classes such as Fun on the Farm, Cooking to the Beat of My Own Drumm, Drumm Designers, Orienteering, Sports and Dance. The kids practiced the principles of Stick Together, No Hurts and Have Fun.

Students designed cards for our annual holiday card contest and created maps of the campus for the Annual Spring Benefit Dinner. It’s going to be another great year for learning at Drumm!

Holidays are Approaching

Imagine shopping for over 50 kids! The six families living at Drumm will be doing just that in the next couple of months, and they could use your help! If you or your business are interested in helping out, please email Lisa.Moorhouse@drummfarm.org and thank you in advance for your generous spirit!