Asian artist came to the U.S. years ago with nothing, now he helps house KC homeless

Editor's Note: This interview is part of an ongoing Star series highlighting Kansas Citians from historically under-represented communities and their impact on our region. The series builds on The Star's efforts to improve coverage of local communities. Do you know someone we should interview? Share ideas with our reporter J.M. Banks.

When Kar Woo came from China to the United States over 30 years ago to attend the University of Kansas he had no idea what career he would choose.

He only knew that if he wanted to become successful he had to work hard and never stop. Although he studied business, Woo found his calling as a sculptor. Designing and creating became a passion and unexpectedly, Woo found himself as a successful art gallery owner with locations in prestigious Kansas City locations like Leawood, Kansas and the Country Club Plaza.

It would be while serving some of Kansas City’s most well-off residents that Woo discovered his heart for helping Kansas City residents who are among those who have the least. Fifteen years ago Woo started Artists Helping the Homeless, which originally focused on teaching art to the homeless.

Since its start the organization has grown from teaching art skills to the homeless to providing a host of services that help people who are struggling to put their lives on track to success. The nonprofit assists people with transportation to and from community services around the city and provides temporary housing for about 200 at a time at a building the organization owns in there area.

Recently, Woo sat down with The Kansas City Star’s culture and identity reporter, J.M. Banks to talk about assisting the homeless and growing his organization to help more people.

Can you begin by telling me about your early life and upbringing?

I am from Hong Kong. I had no idea what America was like but most people from my generation saw America as this place you could have an opportunity to start a new life. I was lucky enough to get accepted into college in the United States so I got on a plane at 18 and turned 19 on the plane. I literally had my birthday on the plane and cried all the way from Hong Kong to Hawaii. I was so scared because I came here with $50 in my pocket and I didn’t know anything.

I was the typical foreign student and thought of the United States as just one big giant city. It was crazy because I had never seen snow, I never knew it was cold, wet and slippery.

Did you go to school for the arts?

No, just like most Asian people, I thought I would be a doctor or I’m going to be a businessman. But I wanted to do what I loved so I had to work hard and stay humble trying to make a living. But I think when we do what we love that is what makes a difference. I don’t do a lot of sculpting now, but I do a lot of design work now and interior design.

I have two outdoor sculptures at St. Luke’s Hospital on the Plaza. I have sculptures in North Kansas City and Parkville also.

I wanted to be one of those people who did what they loved so I opened up my gallery when I graduated from KU 30 years ago. I graduated with a business degree and what I did when I first started is I would open up my gallery until 5:00 p.m. every day. Then I would go work in a restaurant every night to pay the bills because I know in the beginning there’s no way you can pay your bills when you start a new business. I did that for three years to try to support my family and build my business.

What made you start working with the homeless?

What happened is I moved my gallery from Crown Plaza in Leawood, Kansas to the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri. My gallery was on Main Street by the park and so it was the first time I got acquainted with homeless people. I was kind of intrigued on how the richest shopping area in Kansas City had so many homeless people. I opened up my gallery to provide them supplies, food, blankets, some basic needs and let them use the bathroom. That’s how it started 15 years ago with me taking some sandwiches to the park and it was very organic. But over the years we have focused on a switch from arts oriented to service oriented.

Can you tell me about some of the other services your organization offers?

We have different levels of service that we offer the community. We help with mental health, detox, inpatient care and reentry (into society.) We help people that have a hard time looking for placement and I usually work with them during intake by going with them to find out what are their needs. Then I will try to refer them to the correct places that can provide the service that they need and we provide full wrap around services. So meaning we don’t just drop them off, we make sure they get into a safe place. Over the years we struggled to find placement for people so we opened up our own housing for them. We provide everything from clothing, food and transportation to see doctors or to get to other services. On average we serve around 2,000 people and house about 200. We also work with other community organizations to provide services and get them to the services.

What are the challenges that you face in your career?

The challenges we face are just like the ones every nonprofit faces. Looking for money and support are always very difficult.

How do you feel your work impacts the community around you?

We save the community millions of dollars in the work we do. We help to keep the cost down because most of the people we house and serve end up not going back to the streets and become contributing members of society.

What is the most fulfilling part of your work?

I think seeing the number of people excel and go do good in their lives. We have seen people go on to marry, start their families, purchase their own homes. I have one gentleman who is about to graduate from KU this upcoming semester and he got a job at a top accounting firm. That is really inspirational to me.

Do you have a personal motto or philosophy that guides you?

Listen to what the needs of the community are. Being raised in the Asian community I tend to believe in working together as a community to help people thrive. America is a great place to live but it is up to us to continually maintain that.

What are your organization’s goals for the future?

I’m hoping to have a chance to expand next year and then we probably will try to expand a little bit more in Johnson County as well

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to follow the same career path as yourself?

You have to do what you love. We are doing it because we want to help people and we love to do this.

For more stories about culture and identity sign up for our free On The Vine newsletter at http://KansasCity.com/newsletters.