About Kind Grounds
Kind Grounds opened its doors in November 2023 to meet a critical need in services for unhoused individuals in Natrona County. We serve as a hub for people experiencing homelessness to receive a warm meal and connect to vital resources.
Our Mission
We provide services enabling the provision of resource distribution, compassionate support, and a pathway towards socioeconomic stability for the local unhoused population of Natrona County.
We empower people creating access and supportive relationships with existing and created social services.
We create community where homelessness is a transient phase of life.
Our Story
Kind Grounds was founded by Rev. Dan Odell in 2023. Dan is part of Casper’s Homeless Coalition and, as part of the coalition, helped to operate twice-monthly resource fairs in Downtown Casper. These fairs provide essential services such as STD testing, vaccinations, meals, and other resources for those unhoused in Natrona County. Dan was struck by how well-attended these fairs were and wondered if more could be done to provide one-stop resource navigation for Casper’s unhoused population. In a liaison relationship with Christ United Methodist Church, at Grace Lutheran Church space became available to house Kind Grounds.
Kind Grounds on November 1, 2023, as a warming center and resource hub. People can receive a warm meal at Kind Grounds and receive case management, education, and counseling from a licensed clinical social worker while connecting with other agencies in the community. The vision remains that local agencies will continue to partner with Kind Grounds to provide needed services such as behavioral healthcare and housing assistance.
Christ United Methodist Church fiscally sponsors Kind Grounds while it pursues its own 501(c)(3) designation to become a separate nonprofit. Kind Grounds welcomes all people and is not a faith-based program.
Our Staff
Wesley Pendley - Executive Director
Rev. Dan Odell - Development Coordinator
Sarah Tomasini - Kitchen and Food Procurement Manager
Daniel Teele - Cook
Our Board:
Chair: Gary Shockey
Secretary: Jennifer Buettgenback
Member: Dustin Smart
Member: Todd Anthony
Member: Debbie Bovee
Member: Marilyn Dymond-Wagner
Member: Shannon Heaton
Transitional Member/ Advisor:
Rev. Dan Odell
Our Partners
These are just some of our partners - the list is growing every day! You can learn more about becoming our partner here.
