The Team

Beth Hill

Beth Hill is the Community Resources Manager for the Kansas City Public Library. After teaching in higher education for over twenty years, Beth went back to school to become a social worker. She served as a VISTA Volunteer for the Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas Job Hunter’s Program, as a Career Development Specialist for Job Corps, and as a Job Readiness Coach for inmates at Topeka, KS Women’s Correctional Facility. Beth brings her training and life experiences together to build trusting relationships with the library’s most vulnerable patrons to offer a “warm hand-off” to local service agencies for help and support.

Sara Escandon

Sara Escandon is a Community Resource Specialist at the Kansas City Public Library. Sara earned her Bachelor's of Social Work from Washburn University along with a Minor in Spanish and Poverty Studies. Prior to working at the library, Sara was the Youth Services Coordinator in Government Programs at Harvesters - The Community Food Network where she provided meals for after school and summer programming. She is also a former AmeriCorps member where she served at a variety of locations including The Lawrence Community Shelter, Hope and Healing Academy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and The Villages Adventure Challenge Program. Currently, Sara provides direct service to vulnerable populations or individuals struggling with poverty, homelessness, and/or life challenges at the library.

Jimmy Thomas

Jimmy Thomas is a Community Resource Specialist at the Kansas City Public Library. Jimmy grew up in Chicago and lived there for most of his life. Jimmy earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, and his Master’s Degree in History from Loyola University Chicago. Jimmy worked as the Stacks Manager at Loyola’s Library before leaving to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Jerusalem Farm in Kansas City. At Jerusalem Farm, Jimmy worked on helping homeowners with building code violations find resources to repair their homes and avoid court fines. After completing his year of service, Jimmy returned to Chicago and worked at several non-profit and governmental agencies helping individuals with landlord tenant issues and those encountering discrimination in housing and employment. Jimmy works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness and helps folks discover resources that may be helpful to their housing, employment, and other searches.

Mary Olive Joyce

Mary Olive Joyce is the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at Kansas City Public Library. Mary holds master’s degrees in both Social Work and Library Information Science. She has over 20 years’ experience working in libraries and over a decade working in and collaborating with community and social service agencies in the greater Kansas City Metro. As the Director of Outreach, Mary enjoys working with a diverse team of staff dedicated to removing barriers and increasing access to Library services and community connections. In her role at the Library, she leads a team of Outreach staff with broad specialties including Mobile Library Services/Outreach, Senior Programming, Community Resources, Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment, and the Library VISTA Project.

Savannah Gray

Savannah Gray is a Community Resources Specialist at the Kansas City Public Library. Savannah earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Missouri State University in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Savannah served as a practicum student at the Preferred Family Healthcare in Springfield, Missouri, where she provided case management services to women recovering from substance use disorder in a residential facility. She also served as a MSW practicum student with Community Resources at the Kansas City Public Library. Savannah has experience working in higher education as a Traveling Leadership Specialist, where she worked with college students to further develop their leadership skills. With Community Resources, Savannah works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness and other life difficulties to connect them to local resources.

Practicum Students

Social Work Practicum Students assist the Community Resource Team with current programs and build new programs to better meet the needs of the patrons.