Updates on Community Impact Work
By JK Vann
The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting season for Community Impact at United Way of Reno County. As our work continues, we are focusing on program expansion, strengthening partnerships, and tackling some of the most significant barriers affecting the health and stability of our neighbors. Whether addressing homelessness, transportation, or mental health, our focus remains the same: bringing organizations together to create lasting, systems-level change.
One of the first opportunities to see this work in action is the Unhoused Coalition's second annual Beat the Heat event on Wednesday, July 29 at the Salvation Army on 8th and Walnut. This community event provides essential summer supplies to our most vulnerable neighbors while creating opportunities to better understand the challenges they face. The day will begin with a Common Threads Chat at 9:00 a.m., where participants can share their experiences and help guide future community efforts, followed by lunch at 11:00 a.m. Beat the Heat is free and open to the community, and we invite our friends of United Way, as we connect, listen, and learn together.
While immediate needs are important, our coalitions are also working upstream to address the systems that contribute to those challenges.
Transportation continues to be one of the most significant barriers to employment, healthcare, and essential services throughout Reno County. The Nonprofits Resource Council is working alongside public transportation providers to better understand these challenges and identify practical solutions that improve access across both Hutchinson and our rural communities. By strengthening transportation networks, we can help ensure that residents are able to connect with the services and opportunities that support long-term stability.
The Mental Health Taskforce is focused on another important systems-level opportunity: creating a shared language around mental health. Members are exploring ways to develop language and practical tools that can be used across all Reno County school districts and nonprofit organizations. By giving educators, service providers, and community members common language and resources, we can foster earlier conversations, reduce stigma, and make it easier for individuals to seek support when they need it. The Taskforce is also preparing community awareness activities for World Suicide Prevention Day in September, World Mental Health Day in October, and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December.
These initiatives reflect what Community Impact is all about. Lasting change doesn't happen through one organization or one program—it happens when partners come together to identify shared challenges, align around common goals, and build solutions that strengthen our entire community. We are grateful for the many organizations, volunteers, and community leaders who continue to invest their time and expertise in this work, and we look forward to the progress we will make together in the months ahead.
Click here to read more about Comminty Impact work happening across Reno County. Under each focus area tab in the middle of the page, you'll find a deeper dive into the all of the coalitions and conversations taking place in our community.