The HALO Short Film Documentary titled “Kansas City,” premiered at the HALO Art Auction on February 28, 2026 in Kansas City. This documentary is the fifth film of the award-winning HALO Stories series that amplifies young voices of homelessness.

Kansas City has the highest homeless population in the United States per capita. Each year, over 1,200 youth apply for housing. HALO has been serving homeless youth in Kansas City for over 20 years. In 2025, HALO opened a new Learning Center, Boys Home, and Girls Home for at-risk and homeless youth. Hear some of their stories. Your support changes lives.

The HALO Short Film Documentary titled “HALO Celebrates 20 Years,” premiered at the HALO Art Auction on March 1 in Kansas City and March 8 in Jefferson City in 2025. This documentary is the fourth film of the award-winning HALO Stories series that amplifies young voices of homelessness.

Over 20 years ago, HALO Founder and CEO Rebecca Welsh took a mission trip to Honduras where she met a 6-year-old girl named Daisy who lived on the streets. In that moment, Rebecca dedicated her life to helping kids who had nowhere to turn. Learn how HALO started and be inspired to make a difference in the world.

Since 2005, HALO has provided housing, healing, and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world. HALO provides the foundation of a family by providing homeless kids a safe place to sleep and fulfilling a spectrum of needs, from simply surviving the night to surviving their first job interview to helping them learn how to make it on their own as successful young adults.

Twenty-five-year-old HALO Alum Caylin is featured in the HALO Short Film Documentary titled “Caylin,” that premiered at the HALO Art Auction on Feb. 24 and March 9. This documentary is the third film of the award-winning HALO Stories series that amplifies young voices of homelessness.

For almost 20 years, HALO has provided housing, healing, and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world. “HALO believes every child should have the support of a family,” said HALO Founder & CEO Rebecca Welsh. “For years, we’ve supported kids like Caylin, who share powerful stories of resilience and become contributing members of our community. When we invest in our kids, their life’s trajectory can positively change forever.”

HALO provides the foundation of a family by providing homeless kids a safe place to sleep and fulfilling a spectrum of needs, from simply surviving the night to surviving their first job interview to helping them learn how to make it on their own as successful young adults. “HALO met Caylin at the age of 15 when she was in search of stability and a safe place to live and raise her baby Avalynn,” Welsh said. “Caylin was a hardworking, young teen mom who wanted to give her daughter everything she could. Through the years, she has remained involved with HALO and always comes “Home” for the holidays. Caylin graduated high school and went on to college. She has a secure job with benefits and just bought her first home. Caylin dreams of creating the best life for her 10-year-old daughter Avalynn, to provide her with the opportunities she never had. When we invest in the youth of our communities, great things happen. Caylin just needed some support, and she absolutely deserved it. She has broken the cycle for her daughter Avalynn and generations to come.”

HALO Alum Caylin shared with HALO, “When you help someone like me, you’re not only helping me, but you’re helping the next generation. You’re helping my daughter have a better life. So the fact that I can give her a good life, she can give her kids a great life, and we can have a better world."

Nineteen-year-old HALO Youth Ziere is featured in the HALO Short Film Documentary that premiered at the HALO Virtual Auction on Feb. 25.

Shared by HALO Founder Rebecca Welsh: “Ziere’s story of resilience is one that will capture hearts around the world. He was born with a heart defect and doctors told his young mother he would not make it but for a few days. Ziere didn’t talk until age 3 and walk until age 4. He survived countless surgeries during his childhood and was called a ‘walking miracle.’ Ziere was never allowed to play sports because of his condition, but it remained one of his dreams.”

Ziere was brought to the HALO Boys Program that focuses on providing the foundation of a family for children without one. Through mentorship, tutoring, and connections to community resources, boys in the program are given a chance to reach their full potential. As part of the Boys Program, HALO started its first AAU Basketball team in 2021 called HALO Heat. This team is for kids with all different abilities, many of whom have never had the chance to play on a sports team.

“Ziere was thrilled when he was invited to be part of the team,” Welsh said. “He suited up for every game and although he could only play for a minute or two at a time, the entire gym would light up when he played in a game. Ziere became an instant HALO super star on the court.”

Ziere said his proudest moment was winning a third-place medal in one of the tournaments. He and the other boys at HALO have formed a brotherhood that is much like a family, and it has been their safe-haven through tough times.

“Ziere had a difficult year. His mother passed away unexpectedly in March of 2021, which has been absolutely heartbreaking for him. Ziere continues to defy the odds. He was hospitalized with COVID-19 and survived. Ziere will soon be placed on a heart transplant list. Through it all, Ziere continues to be the brightest light in any room, bringing hope and laughter to everyone around him. It is our goal to shower Ziere with love and share his story with the world so that others can be inspired by his positive energy.”

HALO launched its first short documentary episode that will become a series to amplify young voices of homelessness. The first short episode is called Marjai.

“HALO provides housing, healing and education to thousands of homeless and at-risk children around the world,” said HALO Founder and CEO Rebecca Welsh. “Marjai’s powerful story is one of many we can share of HALO kids who had one chance to make a change, one person to turn to or one volunteer who stepped up. Just like that, their life’s trajectory positively changed forever.”

Marjai joined HALO when she was 10 years old while staying in a homeless shelter and participating in HALO therapeutic art programs.

“HALO caught me at just the right time. It was definitely the first step for me in being more open to love and the first safe space for me to really just be me,” said HALO Alum Marjai. “I’m so grateful that I got to experience HALO at a young age.”