KANSAS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

A One Heart Project Series on Supporting

Justice-Involved Youth

September 14-18, 2026

Lunch at 11:30 AM

Program 12–2PM

Wichita | Topeka | Lawrence

Why This Conversation Matters

What's Included

  • A working lunch to open each event

  • A 2-hour facilitated conversation with local leaders and public officials

  • A guided discussion across five key themes shaping youth support in Kansas

It's not often you get a chance to sit across the table from the people making decisions about the youth in your community; elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and the people doing this work every day. This is that invitation.

Across three Kansas cities this September, One Heart Project is bringing people together for an honest conversation about the young people in our communities who need us most. For two hours, you'll be part of a real, guided discussion built around one question: how do we build stronger pathways for justice-involved and at-risk youth in Kansas?

You'll hear directly from One Heart Project's Founder and CEO, connect with local leaders and public officials, and add your voice to a conversation shaping how our state supports young people ready for a second chance. Your perspective becomes part of what carries forward into the next stage of this work.

Lunch is included. Seating is limited to 35 guests per city, so if this is a conversation you want in on, register now.

Each stop in the series follows the same format: lunch, a welcome from One Heart Project Founder and CEO Steve Riach, and a guided conversation built around five themes. Register for the city nearest you.

Choose Your City

WICHITA

Monday, September 14

  • Wichita Foundation's Elevate Lab
    303 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202
  • Co-hosted by Kansas Senators Owens and Faust-Goudeau
  • Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12–2PM
REGISTER FOR WICHITA

TOPEKA

Wednesday, September 16

  • Sunflower Nonprofit Center
    5820 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66606
  • Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12–2PM
REGISTER FOR TOPEKA

LAWRENCE

Friday, September 18

  • Carnegie Building
    200 W 9th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
  • Closing event of the series
  • Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12–2PM
REGISTER FOR LAWRENCE

What We'll Discuss

Each conversation is guided by One Heart Project's Director of Advancement in an open, focus-group style format built around five themes.

  • Current Landscape

    What does support for justice-involved and at-risk youth look like in your community today? What's working?

  • Gaps & Barriers

    Where are the biggest gaps in second-chance pathways, and what barriers do youth face when trying to access support?

  • Role of Intermediaries

    How do organizations like One Heart Project help bridge gaps between youth, institutions, and resources?

  • Cross-Sector Collaboration

    How can educators, courts, lawmakers, nonprofits, and families work better together?

  • Policy & Priorities

    What should the state and our institutions prioritize to better support justice-involved youth?

Ready to Add Your Voice?

Seats are limited to 35 guests per city. Register today to join the conversation.

Questions? Contact us at admin@oneheart.com

About One Heart Project

One Heart Project equips justice-involved and at-risk youth with the skills, tools, and healthy relationships they need to build a future worth believing in. Through structured curriculum, mentoring, and life skills training, we walk with young people ages 13–19 as they work toward real, lasting change.

Across all program sites, only 12% of youth who complete the program reoffend — far below state and national averages.