Hope Lights the Way
Elevate Kansas is excited to feature the success stories from our Mini Grant recipients. The 2026 Community Impact Mini Grants supported short-term, community-led projects focused on coalition capacity building, youth engagement, youth mental health and well-being, and tobacco prevention and cessation.
One youth-centered initiative brought together fun, connection, and prevention resources through the Hope Lights the Way event held at Winfield High School on March 27, 2026.
Primarily sponsored by the Winfield Hope Squad, the free event created a welcoming environment where students could enjoy engaging activities while also connecting with important mental health and prevention resources available within their community.
Throughout the evening, informational tables were hosted by several community organizations, including Hope Squad, Four County Mental Health, the Wichita Area Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, and RESIST Tobacco and Vaping Awareness. These organizations shared resources related to youth mental health, community support services, relationship violence prevention, sexual assault resources, and tobacco and vaping prevention.
Students were encouraged to visit each information booth, where they received tickets entered into prize drawings featuring donations from local community sponsors. Organizers intentionally combined education and engagement to create a comfortable and approachable setting for students to interact with prevention and support resources.
In addition to the informational booths, students participated in a variety of activities including a dance with a live DJ, a photo booth, cornhole, ax throwing, refreshments, and even a telescope viewing led by Mr. Lenz, where students had the opportunity to observe stars and planets throughout the evening.
Approximately 50 local high school students attended the three-hour event, which highlighted the importance of creating positive, supportive spaces for youth connection and community engagement.
The success of the event was made possible through strong community collaboration and support. Community sponsors included the Suicide Prevention of Cowley County Coalition, Coca-Cola, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, El Azteca, Main Street Skate, and Mickie Clair. Advisors supporting the event included Kamy Hopper, Jennifer Bader, Steve Lenz, and Eric Burr.
By blending education, recreation, and relationship-building, the Hope Lights the Way event demonstrated how communities can create meaningful opportunities for youth to connect with one another while increasing awareness of mental health resources and prevention supports available to them.
Administered by Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Health Promotion, this program provided flexible funding to support prevention and health promotion efforts across Kansas. Twenty organizations were selected to receive $1,000 mini-grants to fund locally led activities aligned with these goals. These mini grants also support the broader purpose of Elevate Kansas: strengthening community health coalitions across the state by connecting leaders, sharing resources, and supporting locally driven solutions that improve the health of Kansans.