Kansas Health Foundation, Wichita, KS Videos

The Kansas Health Foundation is pleased to debut a new social media feature, “Q&A with KHF," where we introduce you to fellow Kansans making a difference in their organizations and communities! On this first episode, we introduce you to Ayann Parikh, a young entrepreneur already making great things happen in the health field. Learn more at https://www.medicallhealth.org/.

Ideas to End Hunger in Kansas
Recently, KHF asked for Kansans to submit their best ideas for how we can end hunger in Kansas. Please watch this brief video to hear Lindsay Wilke, KHF Issue Mobilization Manager, recap this crowdsourcing initiative.

This is our final drawing for a $2,500 grant to an eligible nonprofit of the winner’s choice. But, even though there aren’t any more chances to win, there’s still another week to submit your ideas for how we can end hunger in Kansas! Go to the link below to share your idea on how we can make this dream a reality: https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/.

Building Power and Equity Partnership Convening
Recently, KHF hosted a convening with representatives from the 30 organizations involved in the Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP) initiative. This new effort will allow KHF to build deeper and more sustainable partnerships with grassroots organizations throughout Kansas. Though this was the first time this entire group gathered together, we anticipate many more convenings during the next decade. Check out some highlights of the three-day meeting, and learn more about BPEP here: https://kansashealth.org/2024/01/19/bpep_announcement/

We are committed to working with others in the state to end hunger in Kansas, and we need your ideas! Submit your idea here, and you’ll be entered to win a $2,500 grant for the nonprofit of your choice. https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/.

We're ready to announce our Week 3 winner! Each week, everyone who has submitted an idea through our crowdsourcing effort to end hunger in Kansas is entered into a drawing. One winner per week can direct a $2,500 grant to the eligible nonprofit of their choice. Check out this video to see who we pick for Week 3, and be sure to submit your name and idea before next week’s final drawing: https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/

We're ready to announce our Week 2 winner! Each week, everyone who has submitted an idea through our crowdsourcing effort to end hunger in Kansas is entered into a drawing. One winner per week can direct a $2,500 grant to the eligible nonprofit of their choice. Check out this video to see who we pick for Week 2, and be sure to submit your name and idea before next week’s drawing: https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/

Week 1 Winner
Time for our first winner! Each week, everyone who has submitted an idea through our crowdsourcing effort to end hunger in Kansas is entered into a drawing. One winner per week will have the privilege of directing a $2,500 grant to the eligible nonprofit of their choice. Watch this video to see the lucky Week 1 winner! And, if you’d like to have your name in the bowl before next week’s drawing, use the link below to submit your idea. There’s roughly 3 weeks remaining in this idea crowdsourcing effort! Enter here: https://kansashealth.org/opportunities/food-crowdsourcing/

According to a Feeding America report released in 2023, one in 10 Kansans, and one in seven Kansas children, don’t know where their next meal will come from. That's why we're launching a crowdsourcing effort to solicit ideas for ensuring no Kansan goes hungry. “There are ideas out there for reshaping the food system in Kansas, and as an organization, we have many of our own ideas,” said Lindsay Wilke, KHF Issue Mobilization Manager. “What we’re trying to do with this crowdsourcing effort is make sure we don’t limit ourselves to the current thinking. We want innovative ideas coming from people across the state.” Learn more and submit your ideas: https://kansashealth.org/2024/02/15/khf-seeks-ideas-to-end-food-insecurity-in-kansas/

Building Power and Equity Partnership
“If we’re going to lead the nation in health, we can’t just make healthy people healthier,” said Ed O’Malley, KHF President and CEO. “We have to look at ways to address the inequities that lead to health disparities. That means connecting and partnering with the organizations closest to the communities, neighborhoods and households where these disparities are most prevalent.” The Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP) will work closely and collaboratively with grassroots organizations and organizations with a stated mission to help address health disparities in Kansas. This initiative will mark the largest single investment focused on racial equity in KHF’s history, with a possible investment of $30 million during the next decade. Learn more: https://kansashealth.org/2024/01/19/bpep_announcement/

Enjoy this recap of last week's incredible Civic Tuesday event, an evening of encouragement and refreshment focused on our collective impact on society and leaving legacies that improve the civic culture. Ed O’Malley served as the emcee for the evening and Sarah Jane Crespo delivered the “civic sermon." Attendees: - Experienced the civic analog to a faith service complete with music, civic scripture, and a civic sermon. - Felt inspired by history, art, and stories that strengthen our civic fabric. - Connected with others about what it means to live like a citizen and how we can deepen our impact in the civic space.

You’re invited to "Civic Tuesday: Impact," an evening of encouragement and refreshment focused on our collective impact on society and leaving legacies that improve the civic culture. When: Tuesday, December 12 | 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Kansas Health Foundation | 309 E Douglas Ave, Wichita Register (FREE): https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/klcevents/civic-tuesday-impact/ Ed O’Malley will serve as emcee for the evening and Sarah Jane Crespo will deliver the “civic sermon." Here’s what else you can expect from the evening: - To experience the civic analog to a faith service complete with music, civic scripture, and a civic sermon. - To feel inspired by history, art, and stories that strengthen our civic fabric. - To connect with others about what it means to live like a citizen and how we can deepen our impact in the civic space. - To enjoy a reception with cookies and refreshments to follow from 6-6:30 p.m. Special thanks to media sponsor, KMUW, Wichita Public Radio at 89.1 FM.

Give on Giving Tuesday
"Today is a day that we can all rally together." On this #GivingTuesday, we encourage you to look around your community, your county, your state, and invest where you're able. And be sure to mention your favorite local cause below, so others know where to give. 📣

Elementary School Gets Book Vending Machine
We were honored to help Woodland Health & Wellness Magnet Elementary School purchase a unique item to help improve positive behaviors and literacy--a book vending machine! This vending machine distributes something much sweeter than candy, and will surely be a fun way for students to engage in reading. “Our focus is on literacy for the school year. We’re trying to mesh all of our goals together—attendance, behavior, literacy, into one system that will overall help academic growth.”

It was a "bootiful" day last week when the Kansas Leadership Center joined us for "Pumpkin Palooza," a fun way to meet new team members, reconnect, and celebrate the season! 🎃

Careers at the Kansas Health Foundation
President & CEO Ed O’Malley invites you to check out the 5 positions we're hiring for, and to learn more about what makes Kansas Health Foundation a great place to share your talents. We have five positions available, including: ✅ Accounts Payable Associate ✅ Communications Manager ✅ Events Manager ✅ Grants and Contracts Manager ✅ Issue Mobilization Manager Learn more: https://kansashealth.org/careers/

Thoughts on Equity with Jeffry L. Jack and Junetta Everett
In times of uncertainty, we must focus on what is most important. For the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF), what is most important is ensuring our organization is working every day to advance our goal of addressing the health equity issues most impacting Kansans. Even as the organization goes through a leadership transition, we remain more committed than ever to focus our efforts on health disparities caused by long-standing race and equity issues. In the latest Thoughts on Equity blog, hear from KHF Board of Directors Chair Jeffry L. Jack and Vice Chair Junetta Everett as they describe the Board's collective commitment for how we move forward. Watch the video below to learn more. To read the full text, please click here: https://kansashealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WrittenStatement_BOD_TOE_040722.pdf

As we near the end of 2021, Teresa Miller, KHF president and CEO, wanted to take a few moments to reflect on our work this past year. This work has included partnerships, grantmaking and community involvement. Most of all, this year was marked by a renewed focus on listening and engaging in communities around topics such as health disparities, racial disparities and systemic racism. To check out more from our blog series, "Thoughts on Equity," click here: https://kansashealth.org/latest-updates/?_categories=blog

Thoughts on Equity: Obesity Report Exposes Racial Disparities
During the past few months, we’ve been highlighting health disparities and inequities among Communities of Color. These communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with historically higher rates of infection, hospitalization and death, and on average, tend to live in areas with lower life expectancy, limited incomes and lower health outcomes. In a report recently released by Trust for America's Health, called State of Obesity 2021: Better Policies for a Healthier America, we learned 35.3 percent of Kansas adults are obese and 69.7 percent are overweight or obese. The rates are highest for Communities of Color, and this reflects a continuing pattern of racial disparities within key health outcomes. To learn more about this report and its impact on Kansans, please watch the video below. Read more from our Thoughts on Equity Blog Series: