Strengthening Coalition Capacity Through Branding and Resource Development
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 community-focused project was led by Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County, which worked to improve access to important local resources by distributing updated Community Resource Guides throughout Wilson County.
The guides were placed in trusted community locations where residents often seek information, assistance, and support, including local hospitals, city halls, and the Health Department. By making the guides widely available in familiar and accessible spaces, the project helped ensure community members could more easily connect with local services and resources when needed.
Organizers shared that the response from community partners was overwhelmingly positive. Staff members at distribution sites expressed appreciation for having updated, easy-to-use information consolidated into one resource that could quickly assist residents seeking support.
The guides were designed to simplify access to local information and strengthen connections between residents and available community services. By providing current and organized resources in centralized locations, the project also helped reduce barriers individuals may face when trying to navigate support systems.
This effort highlights the importance of accessible information and strong community partnerships in supporting overall health and well-being. Through practical outreach and resource-sharing, Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County continues working to strengthen community connections and improve awareness of local services available to Wilson County residents.
To learn more about Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County, check out their Facebook to keep up with updates.
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.