We share a candid talk with RCPD Director Brian Peete on preventing targeted violence by training first responders to recognize behavioral indicators and respond with empathy. The conversation spans homelessness, social media, political rhetoric, and the mission of Prevent the Aftermath to build standardized, research-based training and tools.

• community empathy versus criminalization of crisis
• differences between East Coast and Manhattan KS approaches
• what behavioral indicators look like in real cases
• why many incidents have domestic roots
• limits of facility hardening without proactive prevention
• active shooter trainings and current national gaps
• social media signals and triage
• depolarizing rhetoric to reduce risk
• building a standardized assessment tool and training plan
• how donations accelerate national rollout

“Preventtheaftermath.org is the website.” “Right now we need donations… we’re trying to raise $200,000 to $250,000… then we can begin training first responders.” “Be that light in the world that you want to see in the world.”

GMCF

CFAs

We share how Center of Hope Ministry grew from a church basement to the Douglas School Annex to meet soaring demand for overnight warming shelter, and why local partnerships, volunteers, and small business fundraisers keep the doors open. A year-round shelter vision takes shape as we break down staffing, funding, and the rising need for cots, snacks, and safe space for families.

• mission to provide safe overnight shelter and warmth
• move to Douglas Annex with capacity up to 43 guests
• rising demand shown by bed night and guest data
• volunteer-powered model supported by targeted overnight staff
• local funding approach without state or federal dollars
• coordination with Common Table, Breadbasket, Pawnee, and coalitions
• practical needs list for snacks, breakfast items, cots, sleeping bags
• exploration of a year-round shelter model and required support
• family safety protocols and rapid partner referrals
• upcoming giving moments and small business fundraisers

Log on. And help if you can.
The website is thecenterofopehmhk.com.
You can donate through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation or our Venmo, Cash App, any PayPal, any of those things.
Our Amazon wish list is up to date.

GMCF

CFAs

We explore how relationship-based care turns clients into a community, tracing Pawnee’s seventy years of service, quality improvements, and growth across ten counties. We share events for the “New Day at Pawnee” campaign, Kansas’ rising mental health rankings, and a fundraiser that fuels care.

• what makes Pawnee’s model relational and consistent
• personal testimony on therapy and lasting support
• “A New Day at Pawnee” events and purpose
• regional reach across 17 locations in 10 counties
• Kansas’ rise in Mental Health America rankings
• ongoing challenges with stigma and the workforce
• training focus for qualified mental health professionals
• Pancakes for Pawnee details, sponsors and ways to help

Join us for Pancakes for Pawnee on February 17 at Early Edition West, 3210 Kimball Ave. For $9, enjoy pancakes and sausage, delivered or picked up.

GMCF

CFAs

We share how Light MHK removes barriers to mental health care with grants for direct treatment, provider innovation, and awareness, and we invite the community to The Light Within masquerade to fund this work. Stories, specifics, and a clear call to action replace stigma with access and connection.

• purpose of Light MHK and the regions we serve
• three grant types and how they work
• examples including pediatric resources for timely support
• why stigma reduction matters and how we speak openly
• details for The Light Within masquerade fundraiser
• ticket options, auctions, raffle, and dress code
• meaning of LIGHT MHK and our statewide vision
• board leadership and community partnerships

Visit lightmhk.com, scroll to The Light Within, and get your tickets

GMCF

CFAs

We sit down with Micah Carl to unpack how Kansas Infant and Toddler Services delivers free, no-waitlist early intervention that meets families in their daily routines. Micah explains eligibility, play-based evaluation, and how family-guided goals turn small moments into big gains.

• Statewide early intervention for birth to three
• Free services with no waitlist and flexible insurance
• Eligibility via delay, risk factors, or professional judgment
• In-home, routine-based coaching across daily settings
• Family-guided goals that fit real priorities
• Micro practice over marathon sessions for toddlers
• Simple referral paths without a doctor’s order
• Structured transition to preschool special education

Visit our website at infant-tawdler.org, and we’d love to have more referrals

GMCF

CFAs

We share a full slate of new and returning events that fund mentorships across Riley County while laying out simple ways to become a Big. Our focus is on shortening the waitlist, growing male mentors, and sustaining longer, stronger matches.

• Bowl for Kids’ Sake details and $20,000 goal
• Women’s Drives for Dreams golf tournament launch
• Fairways for Futures open luau-themed golf event
• Studio 54 Manhattan gala planning and timing
• 75 new matches target in Riley County
• Persistent waitlist and the need for male mentors
• School-based lunch mentoring and community-based options
• Step-by-step path to become a Big at kansasbigs.org
• Match length growth from 13 to 33 months
• Grow Green Match Day impact and date

Put that on your calendar for April 22

GMCF

CFAs

We explore how the Center of Hope warming shelter keeps people safe, fed, and connected during winter nights while partnering across the city to build a path from crisis to stability. Stories of medical emergencies averted, and job-and-housing wins reveal the power of trust at night.

• what the warming shelter offers overnight
• collaboration with local agencies for wraparound care
• founding story and purpose rooted in compassion
• myths about homelessness and employment challenged
• life-saving interventions and guest success stories
• new location at 901 Yuma Street with larger capacity
• immediate needs for cots, mattress protectors, and snacks
• Christmas breakfast buffet and gift plans
• volunteer roles for opening, closing, and overnight support

You can find more about them on their website, www.thecenterofopemhk.com

GMCF

CFAs

We share how Prairie Paws turned Manhattan’s shelter into a welcoming, high-performing no-kill operation, growing regional coverage while managing capacity with care. Contracts, smarter intakes, and targeted upgrades help us save more animals without sacrificing standards.

• nonprofit management replacing city operation
• 95–96% live release with complex intakes
• true capacity as staffing and time, not cages
• managed intakes and prevention support
• expanded contracts across Riley and Pottawatomie
• kennel upgrades boosting annual dog saves
• donations funding medical cases beyond contracts
• holiday adoption guidance and readiness checks
• hours, website, and spring gala details

We have a fundraising gala coming up in April at Colbert Hills—tickets and sponsorships available at prairiepaws.org

GMCF

CFAs