The United Way

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

Amanda LoweMay 13, 2026May 14, 2026Community Impactaffordable-housing, housingLeave a comment

When housing costs too much, everything downstream feels it. Here’s what that looks like in Harvey and Marion Counties. Read Time: 3-5 minutesAmanda Lowe, Director of Development & Marketing Somewhere in Harvey and Marion Counties right now, someone is driving … Continue reading “WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND A HOME IN HARVEY & MARION COUNTIES?”

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

UWHMCApril 16, 2026Community Impact, Healthy Communitycommunity, food, health-coalition, healthy-eating, hesston-kansas, rural Kansas, unitedisthewayLeave a comment

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 … Continue reading “A Fresh Start for Hesston: Exploring What’s Possible for Local Food Access”

Stay curious and never stop learning…from each other.

JaceSchmidtMarch 30, 2026Community Impact, Community Investmentconnections, education, learning, rooted in community, teaching, writingLeave a comment

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. … Continue reading “Stay curious and never stop learning…from each other.”

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

Amanda LoweMarch 18, 2026UncategorizedLeave a comment

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 … Continue reading “Social Work Is Changing – And So Is the Way Communities Solve Problems”

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

Amanda LoweFebruary 23, 2026February 24, 2026Community Impact, Community InvestmentALICE households, housing stability, Kansas housing, United Way advocacy, working familiesLeave a comment

Working families are feeling the pressure of housing costs, food access, and health care. Advocacy helps change the systems behind those challenges.

Welcome, Isaiah Smith!

Amanda LoweFebruary 3, 2026UncategorizedLeave 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 … Continue reading “Welcome, Isaiah Smith!”

Life with a Touch of Gold

JaceSchmidtJanuary 27, 2026January 28, 2026Small Business Unitedcommunity, donor, Kansas business, philanthropy, rooted in community, small businessLeave a comment

Catching up with Golden Plains Credit Union, nearly 4 years later. By Jace Schmidt, community engagement manager For the past 16 years, Golden Plains Credit Union in Hesston has been offering their members “life with a touch of gold.” Vice … Continue reading “Life with a Touch of Gold”

Rooted in Community, Powered by Philanthropy

UWHMCDecember 30, 2025StaffLeave a comment

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 … Continue reading “Rooted in Community, Powered by Philanthropy”

Reflections from the 2025 Kansas Housing Conference

Amanda LoweDecember 1, 2025December 1, 2025Uncategorizedhomeless, homelessness, housing, mental-health, newsLeave 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 … Continue reading “Reflections from the 2025 Kansas Housing Conference”

Welcome Jace Schmidt: Our New Community Engagement Manager

Amanda LoweOctober 31, 2025October 31, 2025UncategorizedLeave 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 … Continue reading “Welcome Jace Schmidt: Our New Community Engagement Manager”