Our support can look like a pair of new shoes to start a new job or a smile after a visit to the dentist.
Friends of JCDS is a local nonprofit that provides opportunities for adults with disabilities in Johnson County, KS, to obtain affordable and accessible housing, assistance with basic needs, and other support programs.
We devote our time to addressing unmet needs for individuals served by Johnson County Developmental Supports. This looks different every hour of the day and every day of the week.
Our support can look like a pair of new shoes to start a new job or a smile after a visit to the dentist.
We ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Johnson County, KS, can thrive by removing barriers to affordable, accessible housing, and helping with basic needs.
The average individual we support faces a huge hurdle when they have to balance the high standard costs of living and limited access to an adequate income and medical resources.
By removing these core obstacles, we make it possible for these individuals to succeed as active and engaged community members.
Our organization was founded in 1990 by a group of concerned and engaged parents and stakeholders. In 1997, we opened our first home, and from there we’ve just kept pushing forward. More people helped, more homes, and more programs for adults with disabilities in Johnson County, KS.
We now have 25 complete homes, a mix of single-family and duplexes, with two multi-family projects in progress. All homes are renovated to be accessible and remain affordable. Through our partnerships and work, we touch the lives of over 450 individuals every year.
We’re constantly in contact with residential staff that works in homes that are owned by Friends. We ask what needs to be improved? What could we do better? And sometimes, OH NO! What broke?
Someone needs dental work! We review the file, we look at past history, we follow up with the team and we work through options! Sometimes it’s scheduling a second opinion, other times it looks like providing the necessary funding for treatment.
We regularly meet with parents and guardians, because they know our pals best. We want to genuinely know the people who live in our homes. be aware of their needs, and understand what works best for them.
There’s always a new need to fulfill. Sometimes it’s as simple as a mattress, a pair of shoes or maybe just a little help to buy groceries. Our dedicated team is the key to our success.
Our volunteers are amazing and do great things for our community. We come together, we percolate great ideas, and we get things done! (A firm rule of thumb, we won’t ask you to do anything we wouldn’t.)
Friends of JCDS is guided by a dedicated team of leaders who work together to champion opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Johnson County.
Janel Bowers | Chief Executive Officer
Tammy Brooks | Business & Property Manager
Chad VonAhnen | Board President
Julie Zollicker | Board Chair
Mike Cochran | Board Treasurer
Ron Worley | Board Secretary
Ashlee Carroll | Board Vice Chair
Sabah Baxamoosa | Board Member
David Blake | Board Member
Janel Bowers
Chief Executive Officer
Tammy Brooks
Business & Property Manager
Chad VonAhnen
Board President
Julie Zollicker
Board Chair
Ashlee Carroll
Board Vice Chair
Mike Cochran
Board Treasurer
Ron Worley
Board Secretary
Sabah Baxamoosa
Board Member
David Blake
Board Member
Laura Burciaga
Board Member
Laura Burciaga | Board Member
Brian Compton | Board Member
Joe Connor | Board Member
Patty Dumovich | Board Member
Bertha Guillen | Board Member
Micquelyn Malina | Board Member
Scott Tschudy | Board Member
Wayne Hall | Board Member
Kayla Schiller | Board Member
Brian Compton
Board Member
Joe Connor
Board Member
Patty Dumovich
Board Member
Bertha Guillen
Board Member
Micquelyn Malina
Board Member
Scott Tschudy
Board Member
Wayne Hall
Board Member
Kayla Schiller
Board Member
Friends of JCDS, Inc. owns 24 homes that have been remodeled to meet universal design standards. What does that mean?
