Community News
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Kansas wrestles with ways to shorten waitlist for disability care
The intellectual/developmentally disabled waiver program still has a long waitlist. That waitlist is shrinking, and Kansas lawmakers want to keep that momentum going. by Blaise Mesa February 14, 2025 Holly Oleson helps people who are intellectually disabled live as independently as possible. She’s a lead direct support professional at Honey Bee Community Services in the Kansas…

Kansas advocacy organizations offer strategy for curtailing waitlist for disability services
Plan targets yearslong wait for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities By: Tim Carpenter – February 4, 2025 11:08 am TOPEKA — Whit Downing struggled through eight years on Kansas’ waiting list in hope of receiving essential Medicaid services she qualified for by virtue of autism and mental health challenges. Downing has taken her firsthand experiences to work as…
Local Organizations
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Harvesters Community Food Network - Harvesters’ mission is to feed hungry people today and work to end hunger tomorrow. The regional food bank serves a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Harvesters’ programs include feeding families, children and seniors, as well as nutrition education and disaster relief.
Operation BBQ Relief - Operation BBQ Relief was founded in May 2011 in response to a need for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Missouri, after cooks from nine different states were able to serve over 120,000 meals in a 13-day period. The nonprofit has since provided over 9 million meals throughout the United States and internationally following natural disasters, COVID-19 response, and through The Always Serving Project, benefiting the homeless, first responders, veterans and members of the military.
Assistance League Kansas City - Our volunteers help at-risk children and youth by providing new clothes, eye exams and glasses, and many other essential items. We provide comfort to children in crisis and vulnerable seniors. We assist sexual assault survivors by giving them clothing and personal care necessities to replace those taken for evidence during the hospital exam and we help high school seniors and adults returning to the labor market afford the training and education necessary to improve their lives.
Green Works in Kansas City - Green Works in Kansas City empowers future leaders to care for our environment, contribute to our economy, and create healthy communities. We offer holistic experiences including field trips and service projects to appeal to all types of learners.
Caregivers on the Homefront - Our mission is to provide caregivers of our nation's veterans and first responders with hope, a sense of togetherness, and a firm foundation of resiliency. Caregivers on the Homefront proudly advocates to promote awareness and increase education for not only our caregivers, but the communities they live in.
Lakemary Center - The Lakemary Center provides education, mental and behavioral health treatment, and social services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year, it works with over 450 individuals and their families from all over the country. Its services include a K-12 school, specialized foster care, residential living assistance and vocational training.
Cerner Charitable Foundation - Formerly known as First Hand, the Cerner Charitable Foundations offers individual medical grants and wellness programs, community volunteerism, social initiatives and strategic partnerships. Services include providing equitable health access to children, reducing resident disparities, funding front line workers and supporting local veterans.
Front Porch Alliance - Front Porch Alliance works together with residents of Kansas City, Missouri’s eastside and urban core to meet their changing needs at home and in school. FP Alliance offers training, peer support, and community connections to youth, families, Elders, and residents of Eastside Kansas City, Missouri, especially folks living in zip codes 64109, 64110, 64128, and 64130.
Blue River Watershed Association - The Blue River Watershed Association's mission is to restore and protect watersheds through environmental education, community outreach, partnerships, and collaboration.
Charlie's House - Our mission is to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the home through increased safety awareness, public education, and the distribution of safety devices.
Upcoming Events

State Fair of Texas: North Texas Food Bank
Description Big Tex hosts our largest canned food drive of the year, and we need your help! This is the most popular event of the year, and spots will fill up quickly! The North Texas Food Bank is the beneficiary of weekly promotions at the State Fair of Texas. Friday, September 29: Opening Day! Attendees can bring 2 jars of Peanut Butter and…

Conservation-in-Action Volunteer Work Day
Projects include Trail Maintenance, Educational Prairie Bed Project, and Habitat Restoration We are trying out new volunteer dates. We are another Saturday to our group volunteer days! So far, it will be the 1st AND 3rd Saturday of the month. Saturday mornings bring heavy traffic to the Preserve so please plan accordingly as projects start promptly…

Conservation-in-Action Volunteer Work Day
Projects include Trail Maintenance, Educational Prairie Bed Project, and Habitat Restoration We are trying out new volunteer dates. We are another Saturday to our group volunteer days! So far, it will be the 1st AND 3rd Saturday of the month. Saturday mornings bring heavy traffic to the Preserve so please plan accordingly as projects start promptly…

Feed The City: Dallas
Feed The City is a monthly volunteer opportunity where individuals come together at a local venue to make lunches for people in need. The lunches consist of sandwiches, chips and fruit. Feed The City events are open to all. It doesn’t matter how many people show up or what ages the volunteers are.

Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce Up
Join For the Love of the Lake every second Saturday for our monthly Shoreline Spruce Up at White Rock Lake Park. Volunteers collect litter though out White Rock Lake Park, up White Rock Creek, and along the shoreline. Our Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce Up tradition happens rain or shine, snow or heat without fail. We…

2023 Hispanic Mental Health Conference
We at the Cannenta Foundation are excited to present our first annual Hispanic Mental Health Conference. The Hispanic Mental Health Conference will provide opportunities for mental health professionals from across the state to learn how to serve the growing Hispanic community.Sessions will be held in English and Spanish on best practices for mental health professionals…

The 48th Annual Harambee Festival
The original purpose created a safe space for children to enjoy an alternative to Halloween. It’s grown to include free groceries for the food insecure, free back packs with school supplies, and free health screenings and more. The children participate in fun educational activities while the parents enjoy live entertainment. On the last Saturday of…

“Places Between” and “Make It. Make Sense.”
Two new exhibitions are now on view at the Office of Arts & Culture’s ARTS at King Street Station gallery. Tammie Dupuis explores the intersections of her heritage as an Indigenous and Western European person in her exhibition, Places Between. Using both Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of making and seeing, her work spans several different processes and…

“Places Between” and “Make It. Make Sense.”
Two new exhibitions are now on view at the Office of Arts & Culture’s ARTS at King Street Station gallery. Tammie Dupuis explores the intersections of her heritage as an Indigenous and Western European person in her exhibition, Places Between. Using both Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of making and seeing, her work spans several different processes and…

“Space Cowrie” and “Perceiver/Perception”
Two new exhibitions are now on view at the Office of Arts & Culture’s ARTS at King Street Station gallery. Space Cowrie is a multimedia exhibition exploring African diasporic desire – the whirring space of longing, grief, joy and healing. Through experimentation with traditional and nontraditional forms, Le’Ecia Farmer examines both the fragmented and whole sides of individual…
Local Hero Spotlight
Members can nominate a local hero for recognition on their local LoveJustice.com city page!
Anyone and everyone can make an impact, and at LoveJustice we believe that they deserve to be recognized for their good, necessary work!
