Parenting Time Center

The Parenting Time Center at BrightHouse is a critical program that helps children maintain safe relationships with both parents in challenging and high-risk situations. Through supervised visitation and monitored exchanges, the Center provides a secure, neutral space where children are protected from conflict, harm, and trauma. This service is especially vital for families impacted by domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or homelessness—ensuring children’s emotional and physical safety while supporting healing and stability.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Approximately 250 individuals served

• Safe, supervised parenting time for children in high-risk situations

• Reduced trauma through structured, conflict-free exchanges

• Support for parents working toward recovery and healthier family relationships

• Collaboration with legal, child welfare, and victim advocacy partners

Why It Matters

Children deserve safety, stability, and meaningful connections. Your support helps protect vulnerable children, empowers families in crisis, and creates safer paths forward—one visit at a time.

Child Advocacy Center

The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at Horizons Mental Health Center is a trauma-informed, accredited program helping children and families heal after abuse or exposure to violent crime. The CAC provides a safe, child-friendly space where services are delivered with care, dignity, and compassion—at no cost to families.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Approximately 675 individuals served in Reno County

• Trauma-informed forensic interviews, medical exams, therapy, and advocacy

• Coordinated response through law enforcement, child protection, medical, and mental health partners

• Connection to long-term therapy, legal assistance, and basic needs support

• Accessible services for non-English speakers and individuals with disabilities

Why It Matters

When children experience trauma, how they are supported matters. Your support ensures children are protected, families are guided through crisis, and healing begins in a safe, trusted environment—strengthening our community when it’s needed most.

Children’s Bereavement Program

The Children’s Bereavement Program at Hospice & HomeCare of Reno County is a compassionate initiative helping children cope with the loss of a loved one. Through age-appropriate, trauma-informed support, children learn healthy ways to understand and express grief.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• 40 children served from kindergarten through age 17

• One-on-one grief support and school-based interventions

• Creative coping tools, including Kids Kits and teen journals

• Access to Kids Kamp, a free annual grief camp in partnership with The Cosmosphere

• Support that helps children stay engaged at school and at home

Why It Matters

Grief can deeply affect a child’s emotional health and development. Your support ensures children don’t have to grieve alone—providing comfort, connection, and hope during some of life’s hardest moments.

The Volunteer Center

Friends in Action is a program that connects volunteers from The Volunteer Center with isolated seniors aged 65 and older, providing friendship, support, and dignity. Through companionship and practical help, seniors stay socially engaged and maintain their independence.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• 20 seniors served with weekly visits and emotional support

• Assistance with transportation to medical appointments or grocery shopping

• FAST (Friends in Action Shopping Team) delivers groceries twice a month for those in need

• Improved social, emotional, and physical well-being for older adults

Why It Matters

Loneliness and isolation are serious health risks for older adults. Your support helps seniors stay connected, cared for, and able to age safely in place—reminding them they are valued and never alone.

Hospice House

The Hospice House, provided by Hospice & Homecare of Reno County, is a home-like setting where individuals with life-limiting illnesses receive compassionate, dignified care. Hospice House provides expert symptom management, emotional support, and comfort for both patients and their families.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Over 250 patients and families supported

• Expert, compassionate end-of-life care regardless of income or insurance

• Respite care for family caregivers

• Enhanced comfort, dignity, and peace during life’s final chapter

Why It Matters

The Hospice House offers individuals in Reno County comfort, dignity, and compassionate care at the end of life, while families receive essential relief and support.

Income-Based Financial Assistance

The Hutchinson YMCA’s Income-Based Financial Assistance program, which removes financial barriers so individuals and families can access youth sports, fitness classes, swim lessons, and more. Bridge Memberships also provide three months of free access for those facing sudden hardships.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• 700+ individuals participating in YMCA programs

• Access to health, wellness, and community activities regardless of income

• Support during financial hardships through Bridge Memberships

• Increased physical, mental, and social well-being

Why It Matters

With this program, everyone in our community gets the chance to stay active, connected, and healthy—no matter their financial situation.

Hutchinson Meals on Wheels

Hutchinson Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers hot, nutritious meals, daily wellness checks, and human connection to elderly, disabled, and recovering individuals who cannot prepare food on their own.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Nearly 21,000 meals delivered annually

• Close to 100 clients served with individualized dietary needs

• Daily wellness checks to ensure safety and well-being

• Reduced isolation and improved nutrition for vulnerable neighbors

Why It Matters

Access to nutritious meals and daily human interaction improves health, safety, and overall quality of life. Volunteers also provide peace of mind to families and foster stronger connections within the community.

Personal Safety Awareness Program 

The Personal Safety Awareness Program (PSAP) provided by Horizons Mental Health Center equips local children with the knowledge and confidence to recognize, respond to, and report abuse. Through age-appropriate lessons taught by educators, law enforcement, and Child Advocacy Center staff, first, second, and fourth graders learn about personal boundaries, trusted adults, and how to stay safe.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• In 2024, more than 1,500 Reno County children participated in this critical prevention program.

• Empower children to recognize and report unsafe situations

• Strengthen school and community response to abuse disclosures

• Expand prevention education to protect even more local youth

Why It Matters

When donors invest in prevention, they help stop abuse before it happens. Your support creates safer classrooms, stronger families, and a community where every child knows they deserve to feel safe.

Prevention, Education & Outreach

Horizons Mental Health Center’s Prevention, Education & Outreach program has been serving our community since 1968. Through free, evidence-based trainings such as Mental Health First Aid, QPR, and CALM, community members learn to recognize signs of mental illness and suicide risk, respond with care, and connect individuals to help.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Equip community members to recognize and respond to mental health concerns earlier

• Reduce stigma and increase awareness of available resources

• Help close the gap between symptom onset and treatment

Why It Matters

Early support saves lives. When donors invest in prevention and education, they empower neighbors, coworkers, and families to step in sooner—building a more compassionate, connected, and mentally healthy Reno County.

Suicide Prevention Coalition

Rise Up Reno Prevention Network’s Suicide Prevention Coalition is a community-wide effort to prevent youth substance use and suicide. By bringing together schools, families, volunteers, and local leaders, the coalition builds a strong support system where young people feel connected, valued, and heard.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Strengthen youth connection, leadership, and resilience

• Equip adults with tools to recognize and respond to warning signs

• Expand awareness of prevention resources, including 988

• In 2025, Rise Up Reno aims to reach more than 1,700 youth and adults across Reno County.

Why It Matters

Connection is prevention. When donors invest in youth mental health and substance use prevention, they help ensure no young person in Reno County faces their struggles alone—building a safer, stronger future for our community.

Splash Program

The Hutchinson YMCA’s Splash Program is a drowning prevention initiative that provides life-saving water safety education to every second-grade student in Reno County. Splash equips students with age-appropriate skills to recognize water hazards, stay calm in emergencies, and practice basic self-rescue techniques—all at no cost to families or schools.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Educate over 250 second graders in Reno County on life-saving water safety skills

• Reduce the risk of drowning—the leading cause of accidental death for children

• Increase awareness and confidence around water environments

• Equip children with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe around water

Why It Matters

Wheelchair and Equipment Fund

The Wheelchair and Equipment Fund helps people with disabilities live more independently and with greater mobility. The program provides customized wheelchair systems designed by occupational therapists and technicians to improve health and prevent complications. The Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation is one of only four Medicaid-approved seating clinics in Kansas—and the only one with an on-site fabrication shop—making it a vital resource for Reno County residents. Support also funds ramps, communication devices, and other assistive technology, enabling individuals to stay active at home and in their communities.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Serve more than 50 local residents with customized wheelchairs and assistive technology

• Improve mobility, independence, and health outcomes for people with disabilities

• Provide essential equipment that keeps individuals engaged at home and in their communities

Why It Matters

Will Power Hour

Will Power Hour at the Hutchinson YMCA is a free exercise program for individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. Led by trained instructors, classes focus on strength, mobility, and overall quality of life. Local healthcare providers refer many participants, ensuring those facing neurological challenges are connected to this supportive community. Residents benefit from Will Power Hour by gaining both physical improvements and encouragement through shared experiences.

Projected Impact in 2025-2026 with United Way Funding Support:

• Serve 30+ local participants with neurological conditions

• Improve strength, mobility, and daily functioning

• Provide an inclusive community that offers hope, support, and encouragement

Why It Matters