About us

History

The Urban Ranger Corps was founded by the Rev. John Wandless while pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church, located in central Kansas City. Rev. Wandless wanted to help young men (14-16) plan for their futures through work and career planning. The program was incorporated as a Missouri Nonprofit corporation on July 18, 2003. URC was approved by the Internal Revenue Service as exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code on March 14, 2005.

The organization began operations in 2005 and launched its first Summer work experience and leadership program in June, 2005.

Reflecting on his life growing up poor in an urban neighborhood, Rev. Wandless recalled the special persons who were significant in his and in the lives of his friends. From this experience, he argues that these special persons are usually found in, or through association with, four strong institutions, which metaphorically can be viewed as the “four legs’’ of the “youth development table:”

• strong family,
• strong church,
• strong school, and
• strong neighborhood.

Fr. John knew that a youth can grow to lead a successful life if he has a sustained encounter with a person, or organization, representative of just one of these four legs, such as a responsible parent, a good pastor, a caring teacher, or a supportive neighbor.

In the life-situation of a central city, at-risk youth, none of the four legs may be sufficiently strong to influence him and the neighborhood leg – as a viable institution – may be completely missing.

Due to structural employment changes in the American economy, the central city neighborhoods of old, once filled with employed neighbors who had abundant contacts for employment referrals, who could introduce a youth to a craft or a trade, who could/would hire youth to do chores, or who could connect a youth with a scouting group, no longer exist in many central city neighborhoods. There are no longer many “special” neighborhood persons who can make a difference in a youth’s life.

Simultaneously, other significant forces further weaken the neighborhood: illegal drug selling, theft rings, unemployed adults, the reign of violence, etc.