Reno Connections Celebrates Four Years of Service to Community
A program of United Way of Reno County, Reno Connections helps individuals navigate challenges, access resources and take steps toward greater stability.
Every number tells a story. Behind every client served and every resource connection made is a real person in our community — someone navigating a challenge, seeking support or taking a step toward a more stable future.
Since its inception four years ago, Reno Connections, a program of United Way of Reno County, has served 1,086 individuals and connected them with 4,050 resources. These numbers represent more than services delivered. They represent neighbors who received support, individuals who found help navigating difficult circumstances, and people who were connected with resources to help meet their needs.
At the heart of Reno Connections is a simple but powerful idea: people shouldn't have to navigate complex systems of support alone. By listening, building relationships and helping individuals identify available resources, Reno Connections works to make the next step a little easier.
Meeting People Where They Are
As the needs of the community have become more apparent over the years Reno Connections has existed, the program has grown from simply providing care coordination and peer mentoring to a fuller resource navigation model, focusing on helping individuals identify, access and connect with available services.
Today, Reno Connections has a team of three, with locations at ESSDACK, the Hutchinson Clinic and the Hutchinson Public Library. These community-based locations help make resource navigation more accessible, connecting individuals with support in familiar and convenient settings.
The most common requests for assistance involve homelessness prevention, homelessness assistance, food assistance and employment opportunities. These needs reflect challenges that individuals and families in our community face and underscore the importance of having someone who can listen, help identify options and connect them with organizations and services that may offer support.
Every situation is different, and every connection begins with a person and their unique circumstances. Reno Connections helps bridge the gap between people seeking assistance and the resources available to them.
An Approach Reaching Beyond Reno County
The impact of Reno Connections is extending beyond the local community. Its model has been replicated by five other United Ways across Kansas, with some programs choosing to partner with their local libraries to expand access to the service.
In 2025, the United Way team presented the Reno Connections model and program at the national United for ALICE Conference, sharing this unique approach to resource navigation, paired with peer support and delivered by those with lived experience to better help individuals connect with community resources.
This opportunity to share the program's work on a national stage highlighted the value of community-based approaches that prioritize personal connection, practical assistance and true understanding of the challenges people face.
Every Connection Matters
As a program of United Way of Reno County, Reno Connections reflects the power of community collaboration and the importance of helping people access the resources they need.
While the numbers demonstrate the program's reach, its true impact is found in the people behind them. Each of the 1,086 individuals served represents someone in our community who received assistance, and each of the 4,050 resource connections represents an opportunity to address a need and take a step forward.
As Reno Connections moves into the 2026–2027 fiscal year, our team remains committed to building relationships, connecting people with resources and helping individuals navigate difficult circumstances.
Because behind every number is a person in our community. And every connection matters.