News Articles — Project Wichita

Project Wichita Updates

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US

April 30, 2020

Project Wichita Vision Statement: Here in the heart of the heartland, we work together to create a vibrant region where people choose to live because we bravely seize opportunities and champion change, provide pathways to success, welcome our differences and invest in our future.

This vision, guided by vast community input, has never been more true than it is right now. While COVID-19 has led to sweeping changes and disruptions in nearly every aspect of daily life, the connected community we so often talk about is continuing all around us. It's visible in:

Small businesses and startups shifting their models to better serve the community
School districts altering lesson plans to provide students with continuous learning
Volunteers coordinating efforts to deliver necessities to the most vulnerable
Organizations teaming up to form the COVID-19 Community Task Force
Countless other acts of service

You can read multiple stories and initiatives that embody the spirit of Project Wichita in our April email. While this is only a sampling, we'll be sharing more through our social media channels in the weeks ahead.

We also want to hear from you. Do you have another shining example of our connected community during COVID-19? Let us know and it could be featured on our social media channels.

MAINTAINING A CONNECTED COMMUNITY AMID CRISIS

March 26, 2020

Through the Project Wichita process, the Wichita region came together to define the vision we all desired for our future. That process envisioned many things, but it did not envision the COVID-19 challenges we’re facing today.

During that time, our region declared that we were stronger together, and celebrated a “connected community” as one of its core guiding principles.

How then do we live as a connected community in a time when we need to keep our distance? The centralizing vision of Project Wichita wasn’t only rooted in the strategic and tactical ways our community can grow, though many of those tactics are successfully moving forward; it’s rooted in the idea of a community coming together to face challenges and opportunities—anticipated and unanticipated.

We see many shining examples of our connected community:

But Project Wichita was also a call to action, and while we work to define additional responses to the COVID-19 impacts, there are opportunities for all of us to step toward the growing needs in our community, even in the face of uncertain times.

How you can help:

If possible, stay home and reach out to neighbors
Donate blood through The Red Cross
Donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to Sedgwick County. Call 316.660.5959 for details.
Give to the Wichita Community Foundation funds. Donate to support on-going needs.
Stay informed
- Health: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sedgwick County
- Individual: 2-1-1 (United Way)
- Business: Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce

These times are extremely difficult for many, and numerous questions remain unanswered. But this is also an opportunity to, amidst troubling times, come together as a connected community.

New study sheds light on affects of mental health in Sedgwick County

August 31, 2019

A recent study conducted by the Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center explores high utilizers of behavioral health services in Sedgwick County. Funded by the Kansas Health Foundation, the study reviews data from three providers of mental health services including Ascension Via Christi, COMCARE of Sedgwick County, and the Substance Abuse Center of Kansas.

In the Project Wichita survey, increased access to quality and affordable mental health care was ranked sixth by the Wichita region. As a result, the Project Wichita Strong Communities and Neighborhoods Action Plan identifies health and safety as a top priority.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COALITION HOSTS SUMMIT

July 1, 2019

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition hosted a summit in late June to update providers, community members and elected leaders on the purpose of the Coalition and upcoming research, engagement and planning activities. The Coalition will focus on an integrated system of care for people with substance abuse or mental health disorders in crisis.

Bothner and Bradley, Inc. is leading the strategic plan development for the Coalition. The Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center will be conducting focus groups with providers, community organizations and law enforcement. The Center will also be conducting a gap analysis in services, funding and community models.

Project Wichita announces Anchor Institution Task Force

May 1, 2019

To strengthen our regional and urban communities and neighborhoods, the Vision Team found that developing anchor institutions to connect residents to resources, services, and opportunities was a critical strategy.

The Community Report defines anchor institutions as "an existing location where neighbors may already interact that can grow to serve as a strong community nucleus that connects residents and resources to each other." This new task force, led by Ronn McMahon, will help the Project Wichita team define the essential elements of regional anchor institutions, as well as the opportunities and potential risks that lie ahead.

Ronn McMahon - Greater Wichita YMCA
Chan Brown - Kansas Health Foundation
Pastor Todd Carter - Pathway Church
Commissioner Lacey Cruse - Sedgwick County
Pastor Roosevelt DeShazer - Progressive Missionary Baptist Church; Greater Wichita Ministerial League
Steve Dixon - PB Hoidale; United Way of the Plains Board Member
Mayor Vince Haines - City of El Dorado
Pat Hanrahan - United Way of the Plains
Councilmember Brandon Johnson - City of Wichita
Wendy Johnson - USD 259
Tim Kaufman - Sedgwick County
Bob Layton - City of Wichita
Deputy Chief Troy Livingston - Wichita Police Department
Gary Plummer - Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Cecilia Thibault - INTRUST Bank; Young Latino Professionals of Wichita
Juston White - Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas
Amy Williams - Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.

Substance abuse, mental health, homelessness focus for new coalition

May 1, 2019

A new coalition tasked with seeking community-wide solutions for mental health, substance abuse and homelessness is up and running as an offshoot of the Wichita Crime Commission. The group is led by Wendy Hummell, Substance Abuse Coordinator for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, and Jennifer Wilson, Behavioral Health Community Collaborator with the County.

The Coalition is undergoing a strategic planning process that will include researching best practices in other communities and engaging stakeholders from around the Wichita community over the next few months. Board members are:

Sheriff Jeff Easter
Chief Gordon Ramsay
Harold Casey - SACK
Robyn Chadwick - Ascension Via Christi
Joan Tammany - COMCARE
Todd Johnson - Wichita Crime Commission
Teri Moses - USD 259
Deann Smith - United Methodist Open Door
Gary Schmitt - Intrust Bank
Marc Bennett - District Attorney
Rich Kerschen - The Law Company

BEA forms task force to align with Project Wichita Action Plans

May 1, 2019

In response to Project Wichita's Lifelong Learning initiatives, the Business Education Alliance (BEA) is forming a task force to further define a deliberate strategy to strengthen the nexus between the education and business sectors in order to meet workforce needs, strengthen our education communities, and maximize our regional economic capacity.

Led by BEA Co-chairs Stephanie Harder of Textron Aviation and Dr. Noreen Carrocci of Newman University, together with Misty Bruckner of WSU's Public Policy and Management Center, this task force will build an innovative model for increased regional partnership toward educating tomorrow's workforce and harnessing the talent capacity of our region.