Volume 1, Issue 9 | September 2022 |
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Our Monthly News & Updates |
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Barton County Shoulders the Load for 20 Families at the Inaugural Laundry Love Launch |
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On August 20, COPE's partner, United Way of Central Kansas, officially launched Laundry Love, a monthly program that provides up to five free loads of laundry per family. Laundry Love is designed to support low- and no-income families.
Vicki Richardson, a Barton LHEAT member and a Family Engagement Coordinator at Kansas Children's Service League, is instrumental in bringing the program to Great Bend. She saw first-hand how well the program worked in Salina two years ago and felt that Great Bend residents would benefit from this free service.
Flor Sanchez (CHW of Barton County with a home base in Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, Inc.) assisted at the first launch and said that the program is for everyone who needs to do the laundry.
Moeder Plumbing, Heating & Air, and Sunflower Bank sponsored the first Laundry Love event. Great Bend Post, Great Bend Tribune and KWCH 12 all spotlighted this program. You can watch KWCH 12's coverage here and read about the latest coverage on Laundry Love from Great Bend Tribune here.
Laundry Love will be regularly held on the third Saturday of the month from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Discount Laundry (924 Jefferson St.). Soap, softener and drier sheets will be provided.
Flour Sanchez shared the news coverage links.
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Impact Beyond Laundry Love |
At the COPE bi-weekly meeting on September 12, Nadine Long, Regional Community Lead for the Central Region, shared a heartwarming follow-up story. Long told us that two Barton County LHEAT members helped a client who visited Laundry Love's beyond the laundry services. They helped him secure a job! One LHEAT member accompanied him to the job interview. It is the little thing we do that makes a lasting impact.
Thank you, Barton County LHEAT. We admire your tenacity and dedication to your community.
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Financial Support Helps Cherokee County's Columbus Free Lunch Program March into Its 29th Year in 2023 |
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Volunteers of the Columbus Free Lunch Program packing lunches in summer 2022 |
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The Columbus Free Lunch Program marches into its 28th year as the only available service that offers free meals during the summer months to individuals of all ages in Columbus, KS, a city of 3,000 residents in Cherokee County. Thanks to the financial support from Cherokee County LHEAT and the administrative support from Jody Hoener (COPE Regional Community Lead for the Southeast Region and CEO of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team), the program will continue its 29th year in 2023 to provide free, nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in low-income areas during summer months.
According to Jake Letner (Cherokee County LHEAT lead and City Administrator for the City of Columbus), food insecurity is intricately connected to income status. The most recent American Community Survey estimates that 18% of all Cherokee County residents live at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is a measurement of the minimum amount of annual income that is needed for individuals and families to pay for essentials, such as room and board, clothes, and transportation. Another 40% live at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Children are also equally impacted in Cherokee County. About 15.3% of children ages 0-5 and 14.1% of children ages 6-17 live below the Federal Poverty Level.
Summer food service programs in the nation typically only focus on children in low-income areas due to funding restrictions. For example, the Columbus Free Lunch Program has benefited from a Kansas Department of Education grant to subsidize meals for children.
Fortunately, volunteers in the Columbus Free Lunch Program also saw a need in their adult populations. Two years after the program’s inception in 1994, volunteers decided to raise separate funds so adults could access wholesome, nutritious meals. Each meal includes whole wheat sandwiches with either deli turkey or ham. Fruit, vegetable and dairy products, such as carrots, cheese sticks, apples, oranges, bananas and milk, are also offered.
The Columbus Free Lunch Program started in the First Presbyterian Church and is now operated from the kitchen and parish hall of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Inspired by its faith ministry mission, the program aims to feed anyone who walks through the door, no questions asked and without judgment.
Gearing up support and meeting the fundraising goals to sustain the summer program has been a mission for Toni Spieth, an LHEAT member and a co-facilitator of the Community Summer Food Service Program. “People who came to us are people who are elderly on fixed income or people on disability payments. When they could come for a free meal at noon, it helps them,” said Spieth. “There is a lady who only came for milk every day, and that’s all she needed that day.”
In 2022, the Columbus Free Lunch Program spent $12,027 on food and supplies to serve 1,882 adult meals and 1,846 child meals, averaging $4.68 per meal.
Due to inflation rates, the program's food and supply costs have increased. It will also no longer receive funding from the Kansas Department of Education, which has historically subsided meals for children.
Donations from individuals and organizations have thus become even more urgent to sustain the program. After deducting expenses in food and supplies at the end of summer 2022, the program is left with $4,409 to start in 2023. The financial support from Cherokee County LHEAT plays a crucial part in ensuring the health of the Columbus Free Lunch Program in 2023.
This program also benefits from volunteers who generously donated their time. According to Spieth, volunteers of all ages, different faiths, and organizations dedicated 839 volunteer hours in 2022.
Spieth has worked closely with Letner on a number of community initiatives. “I am so thankful for Jake and am impressed with his hard work and vision as a city administrator,” said Spieth. Letner emphasizes that opportunities exist in every community for LHEAT members to be deeply involved. “Cherokee County LHEAT understands how the pandemic in the last couple of years and inflation rates have impacted so many in Cherokee County. Members unanimously support this summer food service initiative. This is truly a local project administered by community members,” said Letner.
Focusing on the health and wellness of each county and funding essential services elevate the well-being of a community. Letner said that all of these initiatives flow together and make our community a healthier and happier place.
Spieth echoes this sentiment. “I like Mother Teresa, who said we take care one soul at a time. That’s all we can do. We just give one meal at a time.”
Tony Spieth and Jake Letner contributed reporting

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Vaccine Clinic Boosts Health Department's Traffic Thanks to Seward LHEAT |
Ensuring equitable vaccine access among under-resourced populations has continued to drive Seward County LHEAT's collaboration with its local health department.
In the most recent vaccine drive organized and supported by Seward County LHEAT, 32 families were served. So far LHEAT has served a total of 62 families in two vaccine clinic events.
Susan Lukwago and Laura Enriquez (CHW of Seward County with a home base in Liberal Family Coalition) and Clarissa Carrillo Martinez (Regional Community Lead for the West Region) were at the clinic interacting with interested participants and answering their questions. Enriquez's daughter Julieta was also there supporting her mother.
Courtesy photos: Susan Lukwago and Clarissa Carrillo Martinez
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A Follow-Up From the Sunflower Haircut Night |
Do you remember the "Sunflower Elementary Back-to-School Hotdog and Haircut Night" event in our last newsletter? To jog your memory. here is one of the photos featuring Gaby Urquidi, a Seward County LHEAT member, and a child during the event.
The COPE team in Seward County has received a very nice flower arrangement and certificate of appreciation from Sunflower Elementary School.
Thank you, Sunflower Elementary! It was such an honor to join you and provide much-needed support for our little ones!
Courtesy photos: Julie Foster
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Ford County LHEAT members and CHWs at the International Cultural Festival in Ford County |
Courtesy photos: Clarissa Carrillo Martinez
Clarissa Carrillo Martinez contributed reporting
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Ford County LHEAT and CHWs Tackle Transportation Access Issues One Survey at a Time |
On September 10, Ford County LHEAT and CHWs participated in the Ford County International Cultural Festival. They not only shared information and resources with families at the event but also took the opportunity to gauge public opinion - one survey at a time.
Ford County LHEAT has long been interested in enhancing the county's limited transportation access. The festival offers an opportunity for LHEAT to engage with the public. Phil Handsaker (LHEAT lead) and Wendy Handsaker (LHEAT member) distributed transportation surveys to assess community's needs for medical transportation especially for appointments beyond the county boundaries. Vicky Ortiz and Goretti Sanchez (CHWs with a home base in Genesis Family Health) also assisted at the festival.
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Geary County CHW Participated in the Fresh Start Emergency Shelter's 'Adopt-a-Room' Drive |
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On August 27, Linda Gibson (CHW of Geary County with a home base in Konza Prarie Community Health Center) partnered with the Fresh Start Emergency Shelter for an 'Adopt-a-Room' Drive.
The Fresh Start Emergency Shelter is the only shelter in Gibson's town. The shelter's President, Ms. Tonette Hammond, who is also a Geary County LHEAT member, has been a critical partner for COPE. Gibson regularly meets her clients at the shelter for case management. Due in part to this partnership, the shelter was open to the 'Adopt-a-Room' drive idea from Gibson.
Organizations like The House of Ruth, the VFW Post 8773, St. Tabitha 75 and God's Property sponsored and re-decorated a room for this drive. A nursery room for a mother and an infant, sponsored by St. Tabitha 75, can be seen in one of the pictures.
"I appreciate the Fresh Start Emergency Shelter allowing myself and other organizations to be a part of such an awesome event," said Gibson.
Courtesy photos: Linda GIbson
Linda Gibson contributed reporting
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Chair Aerobics and Yoga Help Keep Senior Citizens Fit |
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Instructor, Brenda Paiva, is seen here teaching a senior aerobics class with 13 seniors on September 16 |
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Seniors enjoying their aerobics classes at the Geary County 4H Senior Center. Instructor, Jimi Parker, is seen in the second picture with Linda Gibson (R). Instructor, Brenda Paiva, is seen in the last photo. |
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Linda Gibson (CHW of Geary County with a home base in Konza Prarie Community Health Center) has maintained a regular presence at the Geary County 4-H Senior Center, where she conducts blood pressure checks two times a week.
On September 13, Gibson joined the chair aerobics and yoga class instructor, Jimi Parker, along with 30 seniors in their morning exercise. The class size has grown steadily since it started four years ago, from 4 to 30.
Another senior aerobics instructor, Brenda Paiva, also offers a course on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the senior center.
Senior citizens always come to the class with words of encouragement and smiles on their faces. They hope their active lifestyle and can-do spirit could encourage other seniors to come exercise with them.
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Courtesy photos: Linda GIbson
Linda Gibson contributed reporting
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Shawnee LHEAT Engages in Family Fun and Fitness Night |
Shawnee LHEAT team at the Family Fun and Fitness Night. Pictures from left to right are: Lesley Hayward (CHW), John Handy (LHEAT member), Nikki Ramirez-Jennings (LHEAT Lead) and Felecia Cunningham (CHW Supervisor). |
On September 21, Shawnee LHEAT joined Topeka Public Schools for Family Fun and Fitness Night and shared about the work of the LHEAT and COPE. This event was a perfect match for COPE with its health focus. Various booths provided education on nutrition, fitness and mental health.
Shawnee County LHEAT is dedicated to addressing material, health and transportation in its county. It has two upcoming events in the works, including a community baby shower in October and a fundraising event for maternal & infant health in November.
Courtesy photos: Nikki Ramirez-Jennings
Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad contributed reporting
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Some fun facts about me: My dad has been a pastor for over 40 years. I am the church pianist (play by ear) and love all the old gospel songs. This is the first year my husband and I have not played in an adult co-ed softball team; we’re coming back next year with a vengeance. However, we did get into an adult co-ed volleyball league. Like many of you, family is everything to me. I am a mom to two daughters and one son, and I have been blessed with the greatest grand babies ever (five girls and one boy).
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I am Lucy Watie, a lifetime resident of Ulysses, Kansas. I am the community health worker supervisor at Genesis Family Health, and I am the happiest I’ve ever been. When I was offered a job as a community health worker, I didn’t know much about the role. I requested a job description, and after reviewing it, I couldn’t believe there was a title for what I had been doing all my life. Some of the responsibilities I took on before becoming a CHW, included interpreting for my dad while he was seeking fieldwork from a local farmer, linking local church members with resources in our community, being the voice for a dear family member who was incarcerated for 15 years or providing rides or food for friends, family and community members in need. I was playing the part and didn’t even know it.
This CHW role isn’t a job. It’s a calling. All these things play a significant role in better health equity in the lives of our friends, family and our community.
I am a former Bob Wilson Hospital (BWH) employee. During those eight years, BWH helped prepare me for this chapter of my life. While employed with BWH, I worked in patient access, financial counseling, health benefits advisory and as a community health worker. I am currently enrolled in a Doula program and looking forward to offering my services to clients.
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We love to hear from you! Share any noteworthy stories and activities you'd like for us to include in our future newsletters. |
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Barton County's Laundry Love Program Received Multiple Media Coverage |
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Great Bend Post, Great Bend Tribune and KWCH 12 all spotlighted Barton County's Laundry Love program launch in August.
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COPE Presents at the 12th Annual Heartland Conference on Health Equity and Patient-Centered Care |
In these two presentations, presenters and panelists introduced the overarching goals of COPE, described the relationship between LHEAT and CHWs and reported community needs identified from LHEAT activities. A Q&A with CHWs also highlighted their vision for the COPE project, strategies used to develop partnerships in the community and how CHWs assessed diverse clients' needs.
The conference objectives directly spoke to the core of COPE, including developing health-focused partnerships, providing opportunities for CHWs to grow and develop and exploring strategies to address community and population health.
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Photo credits: Jeffrey Field, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center
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COPE Participates in Latin Fest ICT in Wichita |
COPE members at the event were: Lakia Dupree (CHW of Sedgwick County with a home base in Hunter Health), Thien Doan (CHW of Sedgwick County with a home base in GraceMed), Angela Scott (CHW Field Supervisor) and Christina Pacheco (COPE Project Director). They distributed COPE flyers to attendees and described the services COPE offers. |
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Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad and Ithar Hassaballa Shine in the Global Humanities Institute in Tanzania |
The institute's theme was Childhood and Social Suffering in Global Africa. Participants from four universities around the globe engaged in research panel discussions, hands-on activities and discussed their research and projects centered around the Black body and chronic conditions. Ninety participants were from four universities, USA (KU-Lawrence), Senegal, Brazil, and Tanzania, for the nearly 2-week experience. The participants also engaged in historical tours and visited local non-governmental organizations that help those experiencing substance abuse issues and childcare development centers.
Early career researchers will present their interdisciplinary work from the 2022 Global Humanities Institute at the inaugural Kansas African Studies Center Virtual Symposium on September 27. Register for the virtual symposium here.
Ithar Hassaballa contributed reporting
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Ton Miras Neira is Featured on the Newly Designed Frontiers Website |
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Frontiers Clinical & Translational Science Institute at the University of Kansas recently featured Ton Miras Neira (COPE CHW Project Manager) on its website.
In this piece, Miras Neira explained COPE's mission and discussed the role of CHWs in supporting clients and guiding them to various resources. We are so proud of you, Ton!
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“Without service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It’s important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It’s the way in which we ourselves grow and develop.”
- Dr. Dorothy Height
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Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was an African American civil and women's rights activist who focused on unemployment, literacy, and voter awareness. Dr. Height was the president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years. |
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September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month |
While most people recognize September as the time for football and pumpkin spice (yes, we all know someone like this), September is also National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which the body produces red blood cells that are shaped like crescents or sickles. These cells do not last as long as normal, round, red blood cells, which leads to anemia (low number of red blood cells).
Sickle cell is more likely to affect African-Americans than any other race in the United States. About 1 in 13 Black or African-American babies are born with sickle cell trait.
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For more information regarding sickle cell. |
Want more facts and stats about sickle cell? |
Think you know everything there is to know about sickle cell? Take this quiz and test your knowledge. |
This podcast highlights the importance of blood donations from African Americans to help people with sickle cell disease who might need one or more blood transfusions. |
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September 15-October 15 Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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The theme for 2022 is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." This theme cannot come at a better time when the nation is still wrestling with and embrace inclusivity.
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Test your knowledge of Hispanic Heritage in the US. |
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What do Marc Rubio and Cardi B have in common? Check out the video below to find out. |
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Want more ideas on how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage with local businesses and groups? |
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Missed our prior issues? Want to share our work with community partners? Our prior issues can be found below.
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