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The Road Back
90 Days of Health, Hope, and Renewal
Starting June 1, Gareth Keown, MSML, CEO of City Union Mission, invites the community to join a 90-day journey focused on health, leadership, recovery, faith, resilience, and hope. The Road Back is a 90-day journey from City Union Mission CEO Gareth Keown, inviting Kansas City to reflect on health, faith, recovery, leadership, homelessness, and hope. Through daily reflections, this campaign connects one leader’s personal renewal with City Union Mission’s broader work of helping men, women, and families rebuild their lives after crisis, poverty, instability, and hardship.
This won’t be polished. It won’t be filtered. It will be real. Join the journey. Pray with us. Share the story. Help bring hope to Kansas City.
Follow Campaign Progress
90 Days. One Step at a Time.
Follow the campaign’s progress here as Gareth shares 90 days of health, reflection, leadership, and stories from the Mission.
Follow Gareth linkedin.com/in/garethkeownmsml
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Days 1–10: Honest Assessments
In this introduction, Gareth Keown shares why he’s starting this 90-day journey and why it matters for City Union Mission, Kansas City, and anyone who is on their own road back.
In recent months, Gareth has taken on the challenge of leading a 102-year-old Mission through tough times. He’s also faced the honest truth that his own health isn’t where it should be.
The Road Back is about choosing to begin again.
It’s about being honest, taking the next step, and staying committed to rebuilding—personally, as an organization, and as a community.
Follow the 90-day journey and invite someone to join you.
Day 1 of 90 – The Road Back
Fact: you didn’t get to the place you find yourself overnight.
Reflection: It happened because of a series of decisions, good, bad or indifferent. So now what? Whatever the change you desire, it doesn’t start by waiting for the ideal moment. Feelings and even motivation to a degree has nothing to do with it. It’s a decision to change. And, then, you simply start. The first step is not perfect, it’s simply that, action.
Invitation: What decision have you been delaying? It started with exchanging 5am emails with 45 mins of walking. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start. Go on, start.
Day 2 of 90 – The Road Back
Heath starts with assessment. Facts. Also known at times as the “uncomfortable truths.” This is true for individuals and organizations. Know the truth, and the truth will set you free. The turnaround that is happening before our eyes City Union Mission started with a courageous and humble assessment. When I started in this new role, we had a board-approved $2.8 mil deficit in our 2026 budget. This was not reckless leadership; this was an unshakable belief that we had a road through and BACK to sustainability…which is happening before our eyes and with even greater health. Our mission is growing stronger and healthier each day.
Day 3 of 90 – The Road Back
People and organizations don’t simply drift into health or performance; it requires a highly intentional act of will and discipline. While we often rely on KPIs to measure performance, it’s essential to consider OKIs as well. At City Union Mission, we are focusing on four key OKIs that we aim to improve or achieve before the end of the year.
The Road Back – Day 4
Think outside the box.
The road back to health, must have you thinking beyond the current reality. Meaning, if you don’t change your mindset, your behaviors and patterns will stay the same…and thus your current reality. City Union Mission’s Thrift Stores represent that out-of-the-box thinking. We are not a federally funded organization – we are funded by the community. And, as such, we need multiple revenue streams that not only contribute to financial sustainability but also tie into our program. “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” — Peter Drucker
The Road Back – Day 5
Pain often signals that something needs attention. In the body and in organizations, pain is not always the enemy. Sometimes it is the warning light that leads to healing. What’s your pain trying to tell you?
The Road Back – Day 6
Health is built through small decisions repeated over time. One workout does not transform a body. One meeting does not transform an organization. But repeated choices compound. Learning to change the response to the stimulus is what is key. At City Union Mission we are not only teaching ourselves as an organization to change the response to the stimulus, but also our guests and clients. And now, meet Bob!
The Road Back – Day 7
Discipline After Motivation
Fact: Motivation usually fades before transformation is complete. Real change depends on discipline after the emotion wears off. That’s why we City Union Mission are doubling down on the fundementals – “our why, getting real clear on our mission statement, how we measure that, etc.” BTW, we do this for our guests and clients too. Today meet Dave Capp! He has been with the mission more than 30 years!
The Road Back – Day 8
Humility is the first step! Wait, we are on day 8? Shouldn’t that have been the first day? Yes. But sometimes we have to go through days 1 through 7 to reach humility. Sometimes (not always), things need to break first, as unfortunate and unnecessary as that often is. Humility says, “This is not working anymore; I can’t keep doing this like this, or what got us here won’t sustain us in the future.” What conversation must you have with yourself or your organization that starts with a posture of humility?
The Road Back – Day 9
The Body Keeps Score
The body reveals the cumulative effect of habits. Organizations and relationships do the same. Culture, finances, systems, and outcomes reveal what has been practiced over time. Transformation takes hard work that is focussed and disciplined literally rewiring the stimulus/response disposition. Meet Lauren Pope, SHRM-CP City Union Mission HR team lead – she has stepped into a challenging role and is doing a phenomenal role in executing the change we need.
The Road Back – Day 10
Naming the Goal A clear goal gives direction to sacrifice. …and just like a vector, that direction provides key insights into the speed at which you have, are, or must travel. Also, does your goal help you identify distractions? We, City Union Mission, are making significant progress in clearly identifying distractions that may be, in fact, “good,” but are not necessarily “best” for what we are called to do for this season of our story.
Days 11–20: Health, Stewardship, and Mission
The Road Back – Day 11
Steward what’s in your hand. The temptation is to wait till you have all the pieces you need for what you want to, or dream, to do. The facts are, that rarely happens. So for individuals and organizations you must steward what is, not what was, or what ought to be. City Union Mission we are doubling down on that principle for our buildings, our vehicles, our programs, our systems and our people. And, just like the second half looked very different for both the #Knicks and #Spurs last night in game 4, so can and will it look for you and us as we remain faithful with what has been entrusted. Meet Stacy Capp !
The Road Back – Day 12
In seasons of change, organizations don’t need more thermometers telling everyone how cold it is. They need thermostats willing to set a new temperature.
Anyone can describe the culture they inherited. Leadership begins when you take responsibility for the culture you create. This is what we are unapologetically pursuing at City Union Mission – it’s a new day.
The Road Back – Day 13
Over time, secondary trauma can show up in subtle ways. You may find yourself becoming emotionally exhausted, cynical, irritable, overly protective, detached, or feeling like the problems are too big to solve. It can impact your sleep, relationships, decision-making, and overall well-being. In ministry and nonprofit work, we often assume these feelings are simply part of the job, or worse, it’s just the price to pay as part of your calling, but if left unchecked, they can lead to burnout.
Here’s what we at City Union Mission are doing to bring awareness and address this. Oh, and here’s a sneak preview of my new ride thanks to Ventum
The Road Back – Day 14
Not all resistance to change comes from a place of ill intent.
Yesterday, we discussed how secondary trauma can manifest itself through protectiveness. In mission-driven organizations like City Union Mission, that protectiveness often comes from a genuine desire to help people and preserve what has worked in the past.
The challenge is that protectiveness can unintentionally create two outcomes:
1. Program drift — as exceptions and additions slowly dilute the original purpose of a program.
2. Increased cost — as complexity grows and more resources are required to achieve the same outcome.
Good leaders learn to distinguish between resistance rooted in self-interest and resistance rooted in care. One should be challenged. The other should be listened to, honored, and evaluated against the mission.
Sometimes the most caring thing we can do is have the courage to change.
The Road Back – Day 15
The Importance and Role of the Board!
Suffice to say I am grateful to our board and its leadership Mark Sewalson. I have also been encouraged by Michael Wallace, MBA, CLTC®, VBS who always goes out of his way to check in on me and make time to “just see how you are doing.”
This is an exciting time for City Union Mission – Let’s go!!!
The Road Back – Day 16
Crisis is expensive – Prevention is preferred.
At City Union Mission our mission is transformation.
Don’t wait for crisis to force change. Address the small things now. Prevention may not be exciting, but it is almost always less painful, less expensive, and far more effective than recovery.
Food for thought:
In Scripture, God established the Year of Jubilee, a time when debts were forgiven, captives were released, and people were restored to freedom.
“Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you.” Leviticus 25:10
The heart of God has always been freedom.
What if City Union Mission could provide both spiritual and tangible pathways to liberty and with that restoring people right here in Kansas City and beyond to self-sustainability?
Let’s go!
The Road Back – Day 17
Compassion is essential. But compassion alone is not enough.
Good intentions don’t replace good systems…and a bad system will still outperform a great employee over time. Sad but true.
No matter how good the plan is, it means very little without the right team to execute it.
Heart. Structure. Team.
You need all three.
The Road Back – Day 18
A bed is not a plan!
No single sector solves complex problems alone.
Government has a role. The social sector has a role. Faith-based organizations have a role. But…Businesses create jobs. Businesses invest in communities. Businesses bring innovation, resources, and opportunity. Strong businesses help create strong communities.
That’s why I’m pro-business. I’m pro-public safety. I’m pro-economic development.
If we want to address the drivers of homelessness, we need all sectors pulling in the same direction.
Let’s go City Union Mission, Let’s Go Kansas City!!!
The Road Back – Day 19
A bed is not the plan…opportunity is the plan! At City Union Mission, we have for more than a century served Kansas City with that premise – a Gospel-centered foundation that leads to human flourishing and self-sustainability…not institutional dependence. Happy Friday, everyone.
The Road Back – Day 20
Every person we serve carries a name, story, pain, and possibility. Homelessness can become a category. The Gospel reminds us that people are never categorized. Ask God to help us see people clearly and serve them with dignity.
The starting line…a life of purpose and means.
This Ventum bike is a weapon!
Days 21–30: Organizational Diagnosis
The Road Back – Day 21
Happy Father’s Day.
Father’s Day can bring a wide range of emotions.
For some, it’s a day of celebration and gratitude. For others, it’s a reminder of loss, absence, disappointment, or longing. Some are celebrating fathers. Some are missing them. Some are carrying the weight and responsibility of fatherhood. Others are wishing they had the chance.
So wherever today finds you, may you receive what you need. May it be a day of gratitude, healing, reflection, encouragement, or peace.
And on behalf of City Union Mission to the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, coaches, pastors, and men who have stepped into the lives of others and helped carry the load—thank you. Your investment matters more than you may ever know.
Whatever this day means to you, may it be a good Father’s Day.
The Road Back – Day 22
Don’t mistake activity with impact.
Activity asks, “How much did we do?”
Impact asks, “What changed because we did it?”
That’s why at City Union Mission we are asking those very questions. I have been telegraphing the change that has already started at the Mission. I have been listening to the various stakeholders of our city and communities, and through much prayer and further counsel, we are positioning the Mission for the next century of service and impact.
The Road Back – Day 23
Cost Matters.
Yesterday we talked about the difference between activity and impact.
Every program has a cost. Every service has a cost. Every decision has a cost. Whether we measure it or not, the cost is there. City Union Mission is embarking to redesign and restructure our cost structure by focussing on understanding the intended impact, rather than simply focusing on activity.
The Road Back – Day 24
Systems shape outcomes.
Systems either support the mission or slow it down. These systems include items like software and even the way you have structured your calendar or diet. At City Union Mission we are upgrading our systems and leveling up on our commitment to donor centric communication preferences.
The Road Back – Day 25
Hard Conversations
Hard conversations matter. Growth begins with honesty. City Union Mission we are embracing the hard conversations that make us better.
When was the last time you allowed a hard conversation to make you better?
The Road Back – Day 26
What if it’s not a scarcity problem?
Kansas City has real strength, and at City Union Mission, we believe the opportunity ahead is to connect that strength with shared purpose. Through partnerships with churches, businesses, volunteers, and community organizations, we are helping create pathways of care, stability, and hope for our guests. The willingness is here, and we believe the best days are ahead.
The Road Back – Day 27
It’s still gonna be a good day. After I recorded this, I learned my son broke his arm. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. But! God works all things for good, for those that love Him.
Onwards and upwards.
The Road Back – Day 28
Two Parallel Paths
“It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.”
That was this week.
The transformation happening at City Union Mission is occurring with two parallel tracks, and the same is true in life. Watch the video – it will make more sense.
The Road Back – Day 29
The 4th of July – just like recovery in the world of City Union Mission is not viewed as the finish line (it’s really the starting line of a new life), so too was our Independence as a Nation. Winning Independence was not the end-all; it was the Genesis of something new! So in the words of Tecumseh… “Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.”
The Road Back – Day 30
City Union Mission is more than providing beds or addressing immediate crisis; we are looking towards addressing the root issues of homelessness. Yes, we are providing more beds in our shelters, but what about looking to prevent homelessness before it happens?
Days 31–40: Kansas City and Homelessness
The Road Back – Day 31
Stay in the zip code! Average consistency will outperform inconsistent excellence over time.
City Union Mission we have increased or strengthened several key areas of the organization through a clear framework and consistent execution of the steps within the process.
The Road Back – Day 32
Momentum – do the reps that no one sees.
City Union Mission we are doing the hard work required to prove our guests, our city, our business communities, our first responders and our fellow neighbors not only a pathway to Hope, but the means to walk it out.
The best is yet to come.
The Road Back – Day 33
Can you articulate the season of life that you are currently in and heading into? And…with that, are you prepared for it? Do you have your expectations and actions aligned? At City Union Mission we are discerning the change in seasons and aligning our actions and expectations accordingly.
The Road Back – Day 34
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
What a blessing. What a privilege. What a responsibility.
As we celebrate our nation’s history, I’m also reflecting on the importance of recognizing the season we’re in. Every season requires different actions, different expectations, and faithful stewardship.
At City Union Mission, we’re entering a new season, and we’re grateful for the incredible opportunities God has placed before us. May we steward them well, for today and for the generations to come.
The Road Back – Day 36
If seasons change and with that, the need to align our expectations and hope, what then does success look like and how will you measure that in this season of your life? And…what are the stories that you will tell yourself and others? At City Union Mission we are working hard through those questions. Timeless yet timely.
The Road Back – Day 37
What you measure gets managed. At City Union Mission we are asking the question, what if homelessness is just the tip of the iceberg? How then do we turn the “proverbial” Titanic our city is dealing with?
The Road Back – Day 38
Today I want to pause and remind us that context matters. These videos are intentionally unedited because leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up authentically. They’re for anyone watching, but especially for our staff, to communicate where we’re going together. The good news is we’re seeing real progress: engagement is growing, giving is increasing, and we’re continuing to learn and improve. Most importantly, this has never been about me. It’s about our city, helping people flourish, and living out the gospel in practical ways. Thanks for being on this journey with us. We still have a long way to go, but we’re making progress.
The Road Back – Day 39
Volunteerism at – we are working to 1. Reintroduce more volunteerism opportunities and 2. Improve the overall volunteer experience. We have lots of work to do, but we are committed to this important task.
The Road Back – Day 40
As another round of storms moves through the Kansas City area, we’re reminded to be grateful for what we have and to remember those experiencing homelessness.
Today, I give you a quick overview of our campus, including the men’s emergency shelter, food warehouse, and long-term men’s recovery program. Join me as we look at the infrastructure that has helped serve Kansas City for more than a century.
Thanks for watching, and have a great Friday!
Days 41–50: Nonprofit Sector and Leadership
The Road Back – Day 41
“We overvalue the moment, and undervalue the process.” And that’s because the process is boring and painful at times. Knowing it’s supposed to hurt, helps prepare one for the road ahead. City Union Mission, we got this.
The Road Back – Day 43
Simple truth. Trust isn’t requested, it’s earned. Especially in donor-funded organizations.
That’s one of the reasons why we’re choosing to openly talk about the changes happening at City Union Mission. It’s one of the reasons why our audited financial statements are public. Our responsibility to steward every dollar with integrity and transparency.
And gratitude matters.
Stewardship matters.
Results matter.
Every gift represents someone’s sacrifice and belief in the mission.
Thanks for walking this out with us.
Just a reminder, seasons do change. Happy Monday.
Days 51–60: The Turnaround Middle
Days 61–70: Strengthening the Mission
Days 71–80: Renewal and Resolve
Days 81–90: Commissioning the Next Season
Why This Journey Matters to City Union Mission
The Road Back is more than just one person’s health journey. It’s a story about the transformation City Union Mission works toward every day. Every person who comes to the Mission is somewhere on a road back.
For some, that road begins with a meal.
For some, it begins with a safe place to sleep.
For some, it begins with recovery.
For some, it begins with prayer, counseling, work, community, or a single moment of hope.
City Union Mission serves people facing poverty, homelessness, crisis, and deep need. The Mission offers care that is practical, personal, and grounded in faith.
The themes of this 90-day journey—health, truth, discipline, stewardship, recovery, resilience, and renewal—are closely tied to the Mission’s work.
Rebuilding a life, like improving personal health, takes time.
Lasting change, like organizational health, needs truth and discipline.
Transformation, like a long ride, takes endurance, support, and hope.