Lion House is the first program dedicated to serving specifically the LGBTQ community and as such we approach the problem from a different angle. The wrap around services provided by Our Spot KC and Lion House Program staff help equip LGBTQ people and their families with the tools and the knowledge necessary to reach their goals of stable and sustainable housing.

Our program led by members of the community it serves and as such we have a unique understanding of identities, challenges and the culture of being an LGBTQ person in the Kansas City area. We understand that family is more than just blood and legal paperwork, we understand that your ID might have the wrong name on it, we understand what it means to have to come out, not just once, but over and over again.

Our Staff

Melissa Winter

Housing Navigator

Melissa Winter has been involved in community advocacy and outreach both personally and professionally for over five years, providing direct services, using a strengths based case management approach, writing curriculum and presenting training for providers, community partners, businesses and youth on local, state and national levels. Melissa, in collaboration with Starzette Palmer, planned, organized and implemented the programming and community building of the Passages LGBTQ youth program, Missouri’s longest-running LGBTQ Youth Drop-in Center. Melissa has experience in building and implementing policies and procedures, grant management, billing, supervision of employees, and other administrative duties. Melissa has over 10 years experience in child development from early stages through young adulthood, focusing on psychological, cognitive and emotional milestones that allow for a more holistic progressive variation catered to each individual’s needs.

Star Palmer

Program Manager

Star Palmer is the Executive Director for Our Spot KC (OSKC). She has spent over 15 years in community organizing and service for the LGBTQ+ community producing events and programming from nightlife, community festivals, panel discussions, and fundraisers just to name a few things. Star is also a Regional Director for Alpha Psi Kappa Fraternity, Inc., a National non-profit, non-collegiate, social service organization for dominant lesbian WoMen. She currently serves on the Groundworks NRG, Friends of Johnson County Mental Health, and KC PRIDE Coalition Board of Director’s.