Pro Deo Transforms Lives Through Free Youth Programs

Would anyone reading this article want to go back and relive your teenage years? (And in 2025, teens deal with constant pressure from social media, AI, mobile phones, and more.) Now pretend you’re a teenager in an Eastern Jackson County suburb. You’ve been adopted by your foster parents and just don’t “fit in” at your school—it’s large and everyone seems to already have friends.

Underwriting for this feature was provided by the Horn Law Foundation.

That was “Jack.” His adoptive parents were worried that “Jack” was spending too much time alone at their home. They wanted him to go to Pro Deo Youth Center. He did, and the first few times he chose to sit in the corner with his sweatshirt hoodie up and was not engaged in any activities.

Until he found Pro Deo’s game night. “Jack” loved video games and found friends while attending one of the free activities offered at the center. To this day, his mother says that Pro Deo saved his life as he was headed down a path of loneliness and self-destruction.

Pro Deo Youth Center was founded fifteen years ago by a police officer and an educator who realized that there were many teenagers falling through the cracks and needed a place to feel safe and loved. The current Executive Director, Dr. Elaine Metcalf, is a retired educator. “This is my ‘retired’ position,” she said, “and I see so much need here. These teens tug at your heart.”

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Each program and service at Pro Deo is offered to the teens at no charge, which is one critical success factor, Dr. Metcalf shared. “This levels the playing field, for the youth that otherwise could not come if we charged a fee.” In 2024, they had 200 unique teens who came for services, with over 5,000 visits recorded.

New Program: In 2024, Pro Deo launched a workforce readiness summer program, and two teenagers participated in resume writing and job interview preparation. This summer, the program blossomed, and fifteen students are excited to work this summer. Because of the program’s success (and this incredible 650% increase), this will be a permanent part of their offerings.

Support: Pro Deo Youth Center needs to expand. They currently have a waiting list for their services and are conducting a Capital Campaign to raise funds to purchase their own building. At their current location, close to New Beginnings Church, they can only see thirty youth at one time. When they raise the funds and break ground at their new location, they can see 90 youth. Currently, they have raised 62% of the money needed and want to start this process as quickly as possible.

Service: Loving mentors are needed to serve as tutors and as teen support (being a listening ear). They also have openings for volunteer drivers to pick the students up at school and take them to the center.

Giving back: Once a month, Pro Deo’s participants give back to their community by providing volunteers to other nonprofits. This model shows the teens what is meant by a servant heart and helping others.

Metro Voice Challenge: Pro Deo is looking for support for its 75 Hearts Campaign. They are looking for 75 individuals to pledge $1,000 for their capital campaign. Visit their website to learn more.

–Anne F. Rauth | Special to Metro Voice

Underwriting for this feature was provided by the Horn Law Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to both support and highlight Kansas City non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals and families who are facing a crisis.

Want to help underwrite features appearing in the Metro Voice and partner in our work supporting the local community? Contact me at dwight @ metrovoicenews.com or call 816-524-4522.