WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND A HOME IN HARVEY & MARION COUNTIES?

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When housing costs too much, everything downstream feels it. Here’s what that looks like in Harvey and Marion Counties.

Read Time: 3-5 minutes
Amanda Lowe, Director of Development & Marketing

Somewhere in Harvey and Marion Counties right now, someone is driving 40 minutes to a job they can’t afford to live near. That’s not a personal situation. It’s a pattern-and it shows up everywhere.

Most of the time, we talk about housing like it’s one issue among many. It isn’t. When housing costs too much, families move more often. Kids change schools. Workers commute further or leave altogether. A hard month becomes a crisis instead of a setback. Housing isn’t one issue among many. It’s the condition everything else is built on.

More than 1 in 3 households in Harvey and Marion Counties are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. They’re working. They’re contributing. They’re your neighbors and coworkers. The challenge isn’t effort or intention. It’s that housing costs have outpaced what a working income can cover. United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties tracks this data closely through United for ALICE as part of its broader work across housing, financial stability, and community resilience in our region.

Housing isn’t a prerequisite for community wellbeing. It is community wellbeing.

Housing instability doesn’t stay contained to housing. It moves through a community quietly, showing up in places that seem unrelated until you look at the pattern. Here’s what the research consistently shows happens when people can’t afford stable housing.

Homeless students are chronically absent at 2.5 times the statewide average — the highest rate of any student group. Nearly 27% of all Kansas residents spend more than 30% of their income on housing, directly limiting what they can contribute to the local economy. Lower-income households are nearly twice as likely to delay care for a serious medical condition. And in Harvey and Marion Counties, more than 1 in 3 households are ALICE: working, but unable to afford the basics.

The data points in different directions. Schools, clinics, workplaces. But they all trace back to the same root.

These aren’t separate problems with separate solutions. They’re connected. A child who misses school because their family moved again becomes a workforce challenge in fifteen years. A worker who can’t afford to live in Newton is a recruitment and retention problem for every employer in Harvey County right now. Housing sits at the center of all of it.

Why the market alone won’t fix it

The reasonable question to ask is: why don’t we just build more? It’s a fair question with a complicated answer. In most industries, that logic holds. In affordable housing, the numbers get in the way before a single unit breaks ground.

Construction costs in 2023 were 31% above pre-pandemic levels. Permitting timelines have lengthened. And zoning frameworks that made sense decades ago often restrict exactly the types of housing that would help most: smaller homes, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-income developments that could add supply without disrupting neighborhood character.

In rural and small-city markets like ours, these barriers hit harder. A developer in a major metro might absorb thin margins and still move forward. Here, the same project often simply doesn’t happen. The need is the same. The financial depth to work around it isn’t.

A private developer can’t absorb a $60,000 gap per unit and stay solvent. Without subsidy, partnership, or public investment, the unit simply doesn’t get built, no matter how much it’s needed. If you’re navigating housing challenges in our community, United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties connects residents with local programs and resources in Newton and the surrounding area.

What the shortage looks like in numbers

These aren’t abstract numbers. They’re the conditions shaping daily life for working families in Harvey and Marion Counties right now.

What solving it actually requires

Solving this doesn’t come from a single program or a single funder. Closing a $60,000 gap per unit, across thousands of households, in a rural market takes a layered approach: grant funding stacked with tax credits, modular construction to lower per-unit costs, partnerships between developers who know how to build and community organizations who understand who needs to be housed. It also takes employers recognizing that workforce housing isn’t charity. It’s infrastructure for their own operations.

The work isn’t simple. But it is clear. And in Harvey and Marion Counties, there’s enough of the right pieces already in place to build from.

This is solvable

Communities that have made real progress on housing affordability have generally done it the same way: by agreeing that it’s a shared problem worth solving together, and then building the structures to actually do it. Not overnight. Not perfectly. But consistently, over time, with the right partners at the table.

The Housing Alliance of Harvey and Marion Counties is one of the ways that work gets done, bringing together the data, the partners, and the funding architecture to make affordable housing in our community more than a goal.

Harvey and Marion Counties have the employers, the civic organizations, and the community will. What we’re building is the coordination to turn that will into action. See how our community measures across key indicators in our Community Conditions Dashboard.

A Fresh Start for Hesston: Exploring What’s Possible for Local Food Access

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by Dalton Black, executive director

It’s been almost eight years since Hesston lost its grocery store. For a lot of families, that’s meant longer drives, fewer options, and a harder time putting fresh food on the table. For seniors and folks without reliable transportation, it’s meant something closer to a daily problem.

That’s about to change. Or at least, we’re taking the first real step toward changing it.

We’re excited to share that the Healthy Harvey Coalition, which United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties facilitates, has been awarded a Predevelopment Technical Assistance Grant through the Kansas Healthy Foods Initiative. The grant funds a feasibility study on bringing a fresh food market to Hesston.

What the Study Will Actually Do

A feasibility study might sound like a lot of meetings and spreadsheets, and sure, there will be some of that. But what it really does is answer the big questions before anyone breaks ground or signs a lease. Is there enough demand? What kind of space makes sense? Where should it go? How would it operate sustainably? Who would it serve, and how?

Those answers matter. Communities across rural Kansas have watched well-intentioned food projects struggle because the planning phase got skipped. We’re determined to do this right.

Connecting Local Growers to Local Tables

Here’s what makes us especially optimistic about this project: Hesston already has momentum.

The Hesston Farmers Market launched last year and has drawn real community support. People are showing up. Growers are showing up. The appetite for locally sourced food in this part of Harvey County isn’t a theory, it’s happening every weekend the market is open.

Part of what the study will explore is how a fresh food market could build on that energy. What would it look like to create a direct pipeline from area farms to community tables? Could the space also serve as an indoor farmers market, giving local vendors a place to sell year-round and residents a consistent spot to buy fresh produce even in January?

These aren’t just logistical questions. They’re questions about what kind of food economy we want in Harvey County. One that supports the farmers and producers who already live here, and one that makes it easier, not harder, for families to eat well.

Why This Matters

The data tells part of the story. In Harvey County, 18% of children are food insecure. Among Latino residents, that number rises to 24%. When a community loses its grocery store, those numbers tend to get worse, not better.

But data only goes so far. What we hear from residents, from partners, from the coalition members who’ve been working on this for years, is that food access is about more than calories. It’s about dignity. It’s about whether a grandparent can pick up ingredients for Sunday dinner without coordinating a ride. It’s about whether a young family can make healthy choices without driving half an hour each way.

A fresh food market in Hesston, done well, is a step toward all of that.

What Happens Next

Over the coming months, the coalition and our partners will dig into the research, talk with residents and growers, evaluate potential sites, and put together a clear picture of what a sustainable fresh food market in Hesston could look like. We’ll share what we learn along the way.

If you’re a Hesston resident, a local grower, a business owner, or someone who just cares about this community, we want to hear from you. Your voice shapes what comes next.

To learn more about the Healthy Harvey Coalition or to get involved, visit uwhmc.org or reach out to our team.

This project is separate from and complementary to the ongoing effort currently happening to bring a permanent grocery store to Hesston. The Healthy Harvey Coalition’s feasibility study focuses specifically on a fresh food market model that would support local producers and expand access to healthy food options. The two efforts can strengthen one another, and UWHMC looks forward to continued collaboration across all partners working to improve food access in the community.

Stay curious and never stop learning…from each other.

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By Jace Schmidt, community engagement manager

This advice (which has since become my personal and professional mantra) came to me at a time in my life when I needed it most, and has now become my favorite advice to give.  But in an era stained with misinformation, trusting what you learn can feel both risky and overwhelming to verify.  There is still one tried-and-true method of learning in a safe and verifiable way that all societies are built upon: sharing experiences with each other directly.

Can’t decide where to eat when traveling?  Ask a local.  Stuck on a project at work?  Reach out to a seasoned professional in your industry.  Issues in your romantic life?  Talk to someone you’ve observed to be in a healthy relationship.  Feeling a strain on your mental or emotional health?  Reach out to a good friend or licensed professional (ideally both, if you are able).

Admittedly, this advice can be easier said than done and I’m not comfortable being on a soap box.  This added context was meant only to justify my week-long absence from my office for United Way’s regional conference, and perhaps to remind our readers like you how valuable human interaction is in all aspects of life.

Expectations vs. Reality

The 2026 Great Rivers Regional Conference was my sole reason for boarding a 14 hour train at 3am, and at that hour can you blame me for asking myself “will this be worth it?”.  Admittedly, I had never been to any type of conference, so my mental image of the days ahead revolved around exchanging business cards, listening to seasoned professionals speak, and missing home.

Reader, I was only partially correct.

The three days following that train ride were genuinely the most inspiring, educational, motivating, and (dare I say) fun days I’ve had at any work-related function.  Each day followed the same base schedule: enjoying a balanced breakfast while a keynote speaker presents, followed by a couple breakout sessions of topical learning, then back to lunch with another keynote speaker, and ending the day with a couple more learning sessions in smaller groups.

Putting the “action” in “interaction”

From motivational speakers, to philanthropists, and even United Way Worldwide’s President & CEO, each keynote I witnessed was a moving experience.  Even when you feel like you have nothing in common with who you are listening to, listening to someone else’s perspective will have a lasting impact on your own perspective. 

Each breakout session split the 300+ attendees into 10 different learning topics of our choosing.  Ahead of the conference, UWHMC’s executive director, Dalton Black, and I decided it would be in our best interest for us to have no topics or sessions in common.  While he attended sessions focused on leadership and future-proofing nonprofits, I was off learning about fundraising, marketing, public relations, and event planning.

What I expected to be silently listening to lectures turned out to be activity-driven, interactive learning activities and just a dash of lecturing.  Although no two sessions focused on the same topic, there was one common takeaway: every United Way faces the same challenges, but we all came up with different solutions.

It might be common for a professional to hold their unique solutions tight to their chest, unwilling to discuss or break down specifics with someone who isn’t offering anything in return – but consistently I experienced the opposite.  Each time I approached a peer in my session to ask more about their solutions, there was no hesitation from them to offer me their business card and inviting me to connect.  Based on my past work experiences I half-expected this to be a fake invitation, but now 3 workdays removed from the conference I have already had the conversations I’d hoped to have with my new peers!

Reimagine, reset, and return reenergized

After three consecutive days of learning, listening and discussing new solutions to challenges we face regularly, the return trip back home felt nothing like the trip there.  The fear of failure, the lack of self-trust due to inexperience, and the feeling that I hadn’t exhausted all options to overcome a challenge had melted away and got left behind in Illinois.  There were only two ways forward when we returned to the office on Monday: either continue as we had in the past, or be bold and trust our colleagues.  We chose the latter.

This experience was not unique to United Way, but rather a standard that was set long before we were born.  Society thrives when business leaders don’t gatekeep the keys to their success, but instead choose to shout it from the rooftops for all to hear.  Humanity is worth more than any organization’s success, we just have to set aside our pride and selfish motivations to help each other.

As the title of this blog already stated, stay curious and never stop learning from each other.  And if you’re already succeeding to your personal standards, be excited to share your experiences and discuss your colleague’s challenges freely.  Together, we can all thrive.

Social Work Is Changing – And So Is the Way Communities Solve Problems

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When most people hear the term social work, they think of crisis response. Helping families find food, housing, or emergency support when life takes an unexpected turn.

That work is essential. It always will be.

But today, social work is evolving. Across the country, and right here in Harvey and Marion Counties, the field is shifting from simply responding to challenges to strengthening the systems that shape how families live, work, and build stability.

This shift matters because the challenges families face today are rarely caused by a single issue. More often, they are the result of systems that have not kept pace with the realities of modern life. And social workers are often the first to see those gaps clearly.

The Reality Facing Working Families

Across Harvey and Marion Counties, many families are doing exactly what we expect them to do. They are working, raising children, contributing to their communities, and doing their best to build stable lives.

Yet many are still struggling to keep up.

According to ALICE data, 26% of households in Harvey County and 29% in Marion County are considered ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are working households that earn too much to qualify for most assistance programs, but not enough to consistently cover basic expenses.

When combined with households living below the federal poverty line, nearly four in ten households across our two counties are financially strained.

These are not statistics about “other people.” They represent childcare providers, healthcare workers, retail employees, and young families working to build their future here.

Social workers see these pressures long before they appear in economic reports or policy discussions.

Looking Beyond the Safety Net

For decades, social work has focused on helping people navigate services during difficult moments. That role remains critical.

At the same time, communities are beginning to ask a deeper question: what if we focused just as much energy on strengthening the systems that shape opportunity in the first place?

What would it look like if families could reliably find child care that supports their ability to work? If housing options kept pace with demand? If accessing resources felt straightforward instead of overwhelming?

These are the kinds of questions shaping the next chapter of social work. It is not about replacing traditional support, but about expanding the work to address the root causes behind what families experience every day.

Why Collaboration Matters

Challenges like housing, child care, and access to resources do not exist in isolation, and they cannot be solved in isolation either.

That is why the future of social work depends on collaboration across sectors – nonprofits, businesses, healthcare providers, educators, and local leaders working toward shared solutions.

In Harvey and Marion Counties, that approach is already taking shape. Through initiatives like the Childcare Task Force, the Housing Alliance of Harvey & Marion Counties, and regional resource navigation efforts, partners are working together to strengthen the infrastructure that supports families.

When child care systems function well, parents are able to stay in the workforce. When housing options expand, communities become more stable and resilient. When resources are easier to navigate, families can spend less time searching for help and more time building stability.

This is what modern social work looks like in practice – not only responding to need, but helping create conditions where fewer families reach a point of crisis.

A Broader View of Community Impact

Harvey County is home to more than 33,000 residents, with nearly one in four under the age of 18 and more than one in five age 65 or older. These demographics highlight the importance of building systems that support people at every stage of life.

At United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, we believe the most effective solutions are built through shared understanding, strong partnerships, and a focus on long-term impact.

Social work has always been rooted in compassion. Today, it also plays a key role in shaping how communities think about growth, stability, and opportunity.

The work happening across Harvey and Marion Counties reflects that shift – and points toward a future where communities are not only supported in times of need, but strengthened in ways that help more families thrive.

Serving Families and Changing Systems: Why Advocacy Is Now Part of Our Work 

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By Dalton Black, executive director
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Direct service helps families today. Advocacy helps change the systems that shape tomorrow.

When most people think about a United Way, they may think about our grant programs, or our new resource navigation program. Ultimately, helping families find resources, strengthening supports for kids, connecting people to community programs, and building partnerships that make life better. 

That is absolutely who we are. 

Why Direct Service Alone Isn’t Enough

But here’s something we’ve learned more clearly over the last couple of years: direct service and grant dollars alone can’t fix the systems that keep families stuck. We can help someone navigate a crisis today, but if the rules and structures around housing, benefits, and basic needs remain broken, that crisis will keep repeating for the next neighbor, and the next. 

That’s why we’ve started leaning into something that’s newer for us, but essential to fulfilling our mission: advocacy. 

What Advocacy Means for United Way

Advocacy, as we mean it, is not partisan. It’s not about picking sides. It’s about standing up for practical changes that remove barriers and help families stay stable. It’s showing up in the rooms where decisions are made and bringing real community stories, data, and solutions with us. 

What we’re watching right now: ALICE and household stability 

One of the tools informing our advocacy is the ALICE Watch, a Kansas legislative policy tracker (a partnership between the United Ways of Kansas and Kansas Action for Children) focused on households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In other words: people who work hard, often full-time, but still can’t consistently afford the basics. 

Policy Issues Affecting Families Right Now

During the week of Feb. 9–13, the ALICE Watch highlighted hearings on multiple issues tied directly to household stability, including: 

  • Housing protections like SB 369 (late fees and pre-rental disclosures) and SB 415 (stronger remedies in extreme uninhabitability cases).  
  • Food access for kids like HB 2637, encouraging eligible school districts to consider participation in a federal free-meals option.  

You don’t have to track bill numbers to understand the point: policy choices shape whether families can stay housed, keep food on the table, access health care, and keep working. That’s why we’re paying attention. 

Real-Life Example: Housing Advocacy at the Kansas Capitol

On Tuesday, February 17, we went to the Kansas Capitol to speak with legislators about housing bills that affect communities like ours. Housing has become one of the clearest pressure points for working families, and when housing becomes unstable, everything else gets harder: job performance, kids’ school attendance, mental health, finances, and physical safety. 

We were there to advocate for practical reforms that can reduce avoidable evictions, strengthen basic habitability standards, and make the system more fair for renters and responsible landlords alike. 

Here are three examples of what we supported: 

HB 2357: Due process in evictions 

In Kansas, an eviction filing can follow someone for years even if the case is dismissed, resolved, or filed in error. That record can become a major barrier to finding housing later.  

HB 2357 would shift the public record toward judgments, not allegations, by keeping eviction filings sealed briefly until there is a judgment for the landlord, encouraging mediation, and allowing expungement in certain situations.  

This isn’t about ignoring accountability. It’s about preventing long-term harm from a process that can move fast and leave a permanent mark. 

HB 2768: Timely payment and income consideration

This bill addresses a very real modern issue: automated screening and payment systems that ignore lawful income (like VA benefits or SSI/SSDI) or block multiple payments even when families are trying to pay rent on time.  

HB 2768 would require landlords to consider all lawful income and accept multiple timely payments (for example, split payments from a renter and a helping family member or a local charity), while still preserving landlords’ ability to enforce lease terms when obligations aren’t met.  

The goal is fewer preventable evictions and more stability for working households. 

HB 2634: A basic habitability standard where none exists 

Kansas law requires landlords to provide safe, habitable housing, but many places lack clear local maintenance standards, creating confusion and inconsistency for renters, landlords, and courts.  

HB 2634 would use the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as a default standard only in communities that haven’t adopted their own local standard. This is a baseline expectation: a rental should meet basic safety and functionality standards, no matter your ZIP code.  

Why advocacy belongs in our work  

If you’ve supported our work, you probably did it because you care about stability and opportunity for people who live here. You want families to be able to work, raise kids, and build a life without getting knocked down by one crisis after another. 

Advocacy is how we tackle the “one crisis after another” part. 

Direct service, like our resource navigation program, meets needs today. Advocacy helps change the conditions that create those needs in the first place. We’re still growing into this work, but we’re committed to doing it the right way: nonpartisan, respectful, and grounded in what our communities are actually experiencing. 

Want to learn more? 

This post is the high-level version. If you want to learn more about the specific bills we’re tracking, or if you’d like to engage alongside us in a deeper way, we’d love to talk. Some people want the overview. Others want the details. We can meet you where you are. 

Because at the end of the day, this is what we’re trying to do: make sure the systems around working families support stability instead of eroding it. 

Welcome, Isaiah Smith!

Amanda LoweLeave a comment

We’re excited to welcome Isaiah to our team as our newest student intern. With a deep commitment to learning, empathy shaped by lived experience, and a clear passion for community-centered work, they are already bringing thoughtfulness and heart to everything they do.

Showing Up with Intention

What doesn’t always come through on a résumé is how Isaiah shows up every day. They bring a strong work ethic and a commitment to giving their full effort – especially when challenges arise. Just as important, they come into this practicum with a learner’s mindset. Even when they’re familiar with a topic, Isaiah looks for new insights and deeper understanding, believing that growth is always possible.

Why This Work Matters

For Isaiah, the most meaningful part of United Way’s work is its commitment to serving community members without religious or political barriers. Having grown up in a family that experienced poverty – including times without heat, insurance, and housing stability – Isaiah understands firsthand how critical accessible, inclusive support can be. That lived experience fuels their desire to help others and has shaped a deep sense of empathy that guides their approach to social work.

On an everyday level, making a difference means showing up authentically. Isaiah believes real change – whether individual or systemic – starts with passion, honesty, and the courage to inspire others.

Beyond the Internship

Outside of work, Isaiah recharges by watching sports. A loyal Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Falcons fan, they find joy (and resilience!) in supporting their teams, even during tough seasons. Lately, they’ve also been inspired by volunteering with their former high school’s debate team – judging tournaments and mentoring students. In a highly polarized world, seeing young people engage thoughtfully and advocate with courage has renewed Isaiah’s commitment to using their voice.

Looking Ahead

As they move forward in this internship, Isaiah is eager to dive into the “nitty-gritty” of micro social work – learning not just how to engage with clients, but how all the pieces come together behind the scenes. A year from now, success will mean being able to clearly point to the skills and experiences they’ve gained here and carry them into future practice.

What do they hope people notice first? Their openness. Isaiah strives to meet others without judgment, always considering cultural context and asking “why.” While they’re honest about still learning, that self-awareness is part of what makes their presence so constructive.

A Final Note

Validation – big or small – is something that consistently gives Isaiah a boost of energy. And if there’s one word they hope will describe their impact here, it’s this: constructive.

We’re grateful to have Isaiah with us and look forward to the perspective, compassion, and care they’ll bring to our work and our community.

Life with a Touch of Gold

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Catching up with Golden Plains Credit Union, nearly 4 years later.

By Jace Schmidt, community engagement manager

The Golden Plains Credit Union staff at a Christmas event.
Back row: Rachel Tamerius, Brenda Pate, Scott Frobenius, and Andrew Walker
Front row: Allie Garcia and Roxana Koch

For the past 16 years, Golden Plains Credit Union in Hesston has been offering their members “life with a touch of gold.” Vice President of Branch Services Roxana Koch has been with the business since it’s inception in 2010 when Golden Plains purchased the building on main street and opened the credit union.

The Hesston branch is one of 13 across the state, mostly in western Kansas. With over 87,000 members, the organization holds over $976,000,000 of participant’s holdings. Of that total, the Hesston GPCU has over 3,000 members and assets North of $30,000,000.

“We offer almost anything you can find in any financial institution,” Roxana said. The biggest difference between the credit union and traditional banking organizations is that the governing board and supervisor committee are all volunteers.

“Our board members work hard to do whatever they can to help the membership,” Roxana stated. All that a person has to do to become a member is open a savings account and maintain a $10 balance. Then as a member, numerous services are available: checking and savings, IRA’s, loans, certificates of deposit, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and more.

Golden Plains Credit Union staff invites everyone to stop by their offices in Hesston to explore their financial opportunities.

The Golden Plains Credit Union was the inaugural organization to join the United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties’ Small Business United program. The credit union has been very involved in community events.

“We are very involved in our community and love supporting Hesston in various ways,” Roxana adds.

Along with Roxana, the credit union employs four other full-time employees plus one part-time person. The credit union’s lobby is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s from 9 a.m. to noon for drive-up service only.

Thank you Roxana and Golden Plains Credit Union for being one of our founding members of Small Business United!

What is Small Business United?

Small Business United is a group of Harvey and Marion Counties’ small businesses who have joined together to make a huge impact! Often we see small businesses who would love to get involved and help the Harvey and Marion County communities, but don’t have the resources to make a large gift. By becoming Small Business United members, these businesses contribute to improve lives and strengthen our community. To become a SBU member, click here and select “Small Business United” on the donation page.

Rooted in Community, Powered by Philanthropy

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by Dalton Black, executive director

When I think about what it means to be rooted in community, I can’t help but go back to my childhood in rural north central Kansas. Friday nights under the stadium lights felt like the whole town gathered in one place. Neighbors sat shoulder to shoulder, kids ran around freely, and you could feel that sense of belonging in your bones.

Graduation from Clay Center Community High School in 2010.

That experience taught me something I still carry today: community isn’t just where you live. It’s where you find connection, support, and a shared story. And it’s also where you notice the quiet struggles. Families working hard but still falling behind. Neighbors going without. Kids who don’t always get the same opportunities.

When I stepped into the role of Executive Director at United Way, I found myself searching for that same connection again, just in a new way. I met people who welcomed me in and reminded me that our community’s greatest strength is our willingness to come together when it matters most.

And that “coming together” has a name. It’s philanthropy.

Philanthropy isn’t just a word we use at banquets or fundraisers. It’s alive here in Harvey and Marion Counties. It’s the neighbor who quietly mails a check. It’s the volunteer who gives an afternoon to sort food or mentor a child. It’s the business owner who believes giving back is part of being a good citizen.

Pop Up Garden at UWHMC, summer 2025

At United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, we get to see the ripple effect of that generosity every day. When families face food insecurity, our Resource Navigators step in. When local partners gather around the table to tackle housing or childcare, philanthropy makes that collaboration possible.

Here’s the thing I love most: this kind of giving builds momentum. One person gives, and it sparks another. A group of volunteers shows up, and suddenly a community project becomes possible. Small gifts and big gifts alike add up to real change, right here at home.

And right now, we’re at one of those moments when timing matters.

Today, December 31, is the last day to make a gift that can be eligible for a 2025 tax deduction. If you’ve been thinking about making a year-end donation, this is your nudge. Your gift helps keep families from falling through the cracks, strengthens the programs that support our neighbors, and invests in the future of Harvey and Marion Counties.

Philanthropy here isn’t about wealth. It’s about will. It’s about saying, “I want to be part of something bigger than myself.”

If you’re able, I’d be honored if you’d make your year-end gift today.

Give today: uwhmc.org/donation

Quick note: Online gifts made by 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and checks postmarked by December 31 are typically counted for the 2025 tax year. As always, consult your tax advisor for your situation.

Serve Day in Burrton, spring 2024

Reflections from the 2025 Kansas Housing Conference

Amanda LoweLeave a comment

By Dalton Black, executive director

I recently attended the Kansas Housing Conference as a Friend of Affordable Housing scholarship recipient. For three days, I sat alongside developers, city planners, housing authorities, and shelter leaders – all people who understand that housing is the root system that keeps a community healthy.

The conference opened with a keynote address from Ryan Vincent, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation Executive Director. He shared the story of his 12-year-old son, who passed away from cancer. Through treatments and then hospice care, his son had one clear wish: to be home. A place where he felt safe, comfortable, and loved. Ryan’s words grounded the entire conference in a simple truth — home is not just a physical structure. It is where life happens. It is where dignity lives.

As we have just started to formally convene a housing coalition back home, the timing felt right. I came away reminded that while the housing crisis is complex, progress starts when local leaders step up and choose to solve it together.

What I’m bringing home

1. Housing and homelessness are directly connected – affordability isn’t optional.

If people can’t afford a safe home, they end up homeless or one emergency away from it. Right now, many communities are only seeing construction or $300,000+ homes. That leaves out the workers who keep our towns running, young families trying to get started, and seniors wanting to age in place. We need homes that fit the people who live in our community, not just those who can afford the highest price point.

2. We have to design homes for the way people live now – not the way they lived 50 years ago.

    Average household sizes are shrinking. Not everyone needs a three-bedroom home on a quarter-acre lot. Allowing smaller homes on smaller lots, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, and other flexible housing options could meet real needs faster. People deserve a place to sleep safely tonight, not just the promise of a future development.

    3. Policy and taxes can either unlock progress or shut it down.

    We have to be willing to review the rules that make it difficult to build smaller, attainable homes. One idea discussed was allowing multiple units on a single lot to share infrastructure and lower tax burdens for residents. Good policy should make it easier for communities to house their people.

    4. This work depends on real collaboration.

    Addressing housing and homelessness requires the public sector, private developers, service providers, and nonprofit organizations all pulling in the same direction. It won’t always be profitable. It won’t always be easy. And it will require partner to follow through on data sharing and reporting if we want to secure meaningful funding opportunities. But we need everyone’s contribution – even the messy, half-baked ideas – because that’s often where good solutions begin.

    The housing crisis won’t resolve itself. But Kansas is full of communities ready to roll up their sleeves, and I’m proud to be one of them.

    Ryan’s story reminded us that home is shelter – it’s where comfort lives. It is where healing can happen.

    I’m back in our community with gratitude, a fresh perspective, and a deeper commitment to making sure more of our neighbors can simply be home.

    Welcome Jace Schmidt: Our New Community Engagement Manager

    Amanda LoweLeave a comment

    We are excited to introduce Jace Schmidt as our Community Engagement Manager for United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties!

    Born and raised in Newton, Jace’s intimate connection with the Harvey County community lured him back home from Kansas City with the goal of making a positive impact.  Jace has been passionate about community involvement since high school; joining clubs, attending workshops, and volunteering service hours shaped his perspective and life goals early in life. 

    “Positive changes in a community don’t always occur naturally,” Jace says.  “It’s easy to get on board with ideas, but to bring those ideas to life takes both messaging that resonates with a diverse audience, as well as an open-minded persistence that improving every life in a community is possible.  It is a great honor to become a member of United Way’s demonstrated leadership in setting the standard for community service.”

    Jace’s personal life also circles around his values of activity, community, and collaboration to achieve a common goal.  You may find him in the evening or on weekends volunteering, cheering on our state’s sports teams, enjoying a local craft beer with friends, or biking through local trails and towns.

    Please join us in welcoming Jace to the United Way team!  We’re thrilled to have him and his passion, skills, and empathy become an integral piece of our mission.