KANSAS COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS
A One Heart Project Series on Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
September 14-18, 2026
Lunch at 11:30 AM
Program 12:00 – 2:00 PM
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
Seating is limited to 35 guests per city.
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.
The Kansas Community Conversations series starts with a working lunch and moves into a two hour facilitated discussion built around one question: how do we build stronger pathways for justice involved and at risk youth in Kansas?
You will hear directly from One Heart Project's Founder and CEO, connect with local leaders and public officials, and add your voice to a series of conversations shaping how our state supports young people ready for a second chance.
Seating is limited to 35 guests per city.
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 Foundation's Elevate Lab
Co-hosted by Kansas Senators Owens and Faust-Goudeau
Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12:00 – 2:00 PM
-
Sunflower Nonprofit Center
Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12:00 – 2:00 PM
-
Lawrence Public Library
Closing event of the series
Lunch 11:30 AM | Program 12:00 – 2:00 PM
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. Every dollar raised at this event goes directly toward expanding that impact in Nebraska and across the country.