KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – An air conditioning failure at Newhouse KC left 61 domestic violence survivors – including 36 children – without cooling during near 100-degree heat, and staff say the breakdown threatened more than physical comfort.
“We provide shelter and physical safety. But emotionally as well. Sometimes dealing with stressors like this heat, and not being able to cool down can really impact that psychological safety as well,” said Ashlie Dryden, vice president of community outreach and therapist at Newhouse KC.
The shelter asked for public help to purchase portable air conditioning units for its residential rooms. Donations came in, and a discount from Lowe’s in Roeland Park allowed Newhouse to stretch those funds further. Portable AC units are now cooling every residential room…