I Never Asked For the Easy Way - 67

City Union Mission and Kansas City Timelines

Date	City Union Mission History	Kansas City History
1984	Life Skills classes for homeless and low income families and women are initiated at the Family Center. Out of these classes is born the New Life Program. The City Union Mission Youth Center opens.
1985	City Union Mission founds the Hotline for the Homeless, the first hotline of its kind in the United States.	The Royals win the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
October, 1987	City Union Mission completes construction of a new wing for homeless families at the Family Center at 1310 Wabash.
July, 1989	City Union Mission completes construction on a second new wing for homeless families at the Family Center.
1990		Kansas City’s population is 435,466; despite the population decline, Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri.
1991	Maurice Vanderberg retires in December. Dan Doty becomes executive director of City Union Mission on January 1, 1992.	Emmanuel Cleaver is elected as Kansas City, Missouri’s first black mayor.
August, 1992	The board of directors votes to finance a 6,000 square foot addition to the Family Center, to house the Vanderberg Youth Center. The cost is $500,000.
1993	The Vanderberg Youth Center opens in August. The Family Center also opens the Learning Center for adults.	Riverboat gambling comes to Kansas City.
1995	The Learning Center for Christian Life Program members at the Men’s Center opens.	Emmanuel Cleaver is re-elected mayor.
1997	Plans begin to build a new building on the Family Center property to house the New Life Program, a recovery program for homeless women.
May 10, 1998	Maurice Vanderberg dies at age 78. The Mission’s combined facilities can house up to 250 homeless people and members of its recovery program.
August 8, 2011	Unfortunately this will be the last blog for a time while we consider new possibilities.  The Mission now can shelter over 500 men, women & children – and often does.	Unfortunately the numbers of individuals currently without homes has grown – much due to the general economy.

I Never Asked For the Easy Way - 66

City Union Mission and Kansas City Timelines

Date	City Union Mission History	Kansas City History
1972	The board of directors vote to purchase the University of Missouri Dental College at 1108 E. 10th St. The building is under renovation until 1977 and becomes the Mission’s headquarters and Men’s Center.	Arrowhead and Royals Stadiums are completed. Redevelopment on the River Quay (formerly the Mission’s “Skid Row”) and Westport Square begins. Harry Truman Dies.
July, 1976	Beulah Bulkley assists in breaking ground for the Bulkley Memorial Chapel at Camp CUMCITO in July. The Mission receives the gift of a three-story apartment building and opens Pilgrim House Family Shelter in August.	Bartle Hall and Kemper Arena open.
1977	The Boys’ Club Building is sold and the Family Service Department moves to 1108 E. 10th St. in October. The Mission opens a thrift store in December.	The Plaza flood on Brush Creek kills 24 people. Kansas City’s population is 448,031.
Aug. 15, 1978	The Mission almost “crashes” financially; the board of directors discusses filing for bankruptcy. Donors respond to pleas for help and all of the Mission’s debts are paid.
1979		Richard Berkley becomes mayor in Kansas City, Missouri.
1980	Mary Beulah Bulkley dies at age 92. The Bulkley Memorial Chapel at Camp CUMCITO is dedicated that summer.
1981		The Hyatt skywalk disaster kills 111 and injures 188.
1983	The board of directors votes to purchase Banneker Grade School at 1310 Wabash. The building is renovated to house a family shelter, family services, and a youth center. Originally called Bulkley Family Center, it is later renamed the City Union Mission Family Center.

I Never Asked For the Easy Way - 65

City Union Mission and Kansas City Timelines

Date	City Union Mission History	Kansas City History
1945	Maurice Vanderberg returns from the war. He and Ruth Bulkley are married in San Luis Obispo, California.	World War II ends.
1950	Maurice Vanderberg agrees to serve as assistant superintendent of the Mission under Beulah Bulkley. He stays just long enough to assist in moving the Mission into its new location at the Elks Club Building at Seventh and Grand.	Kansas City celebrates its 100th birthday. The city’s population is 456,622 and land area covers 81 square miles. Ewing Kauffman begins his pharmaceuticals company at his home on Locust Street.
1952	The Vanderberg family moves back to California.	Gladstone, Missouri is incorporated and Richards Gebaur Air Base is established.
1954	Maurice and Ruth return to City Union Mission where Maurice accepts the job of superintendent. Maurice develops the Christian Life Program for men who come to know Christ; it is the first certifiable rehabilitation program in the IUGM. Ruth Vanderberg initiates the Family Services Department.	Paseo Bridge opens and The Athletics baseball team moves to Kansas City.
1956	Opportunity Farm becomes an extension of the Christian Life Program.	H. Roe Bartle is elected mayor and the Broadway Bridge opens as a toll bridge. A TWA overhaul base opens in Platte County.
1958	The City Union Mission Women’s Auxiliary is formed.	The Blue River floods, causing extensive damage on the city’s East Side.
1960	The Mission’s board of directors votes to purchase two buildings to house City Union Mission’s expanding services. The Boys’ Club Building at 1601 Admiral becomes Mission headquarters and a four-story building at Seventh and Wyandotte becomes The Men’s Building.	JFK defeats Nixon for the presidency. Jackson County’s population climbs to 623,030; Kansas City’s population is 473,435. Overland Park, Kansas is incorporated.
1963		The city’s first black city councilmen are elected: Bruce Watkins and Earl D. Thomas.
1967		Billy Graham leads a crusade in Kansas City. Kansas City International Airport opens.
1970		The Kansas City Chiefs win the Superbowl against the Minnesota Vikings.
1971	City Union Mission’s Family Service Department expands. Beth Vanderberg, 21, joins the Mission’s staff.	Charles Wheeler becomes mayor in Kansas City, Missouri.