Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.net

An organization known as Code 1 Wellness is taking strides to give Kansas City metro first responders better access to wellness support, particularly for mental health. Owner and founder Vanessa Kennedy is currently a reserve police officer with a local department with more than 10 years’ experience in the medical and criminal justice fields. She has a particular interest in CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training and officer wellness.

“Whether you’re a paramedic or a police officer, working on the frontlines of tragedy can take a toll on your health,” Kennedy says. “First responders witness traumatic events daily but have few resources for mental health or overall wellness.”

Kennedy envisions a state-of-the-art 20-bed facility that will provide 24/7 inpatient access, drug rehabilitation and detox programs, crisis counseling, faith support, health and wellness programming, and therapy for individuals, groups and families. Code 1 Wellness plans to open their first location as early as 2020 in Tiffany Springs. They already have hopes to open a second location on the south side of the Kansas City area before expanding to Springfield, St. Louis, and other midwestern states.

Code 1 Wellness will be hosting a fundraiser event at Conrad’s Restaurant & Alehouse in Liberty on Oct. 23. In addition to a raffle, 10 percent of proceeds from dinners ordered between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. will support the organization.

They are currently seeking volunteers to assist with fundraising and awareness efforts. Contact Vanessa at v.kennedy@code-1-wellness.com or learn more by visiting their website at www.code-1-wellness.com.

Code 1 Wellness is a 501(c)(3) organization.