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Quarterly
Newsletter
November 2025
| | Building Connections and Providing Services in East Central Kansas | |
Note from Crystal Anderson, CEO | |
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As we enter this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to extent my hearfelt appreciation to our staff, community partners, supporters, and the neighbors we serve. Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to our mission are what make ECKAN strong. Each day, you help create meaningful change - and for that, we are truly grateful.
In this month's newsletter, we're proud to share several stories that reflect the spirit of our work. You'll find staff highlights showcasing the incredible individuals who deliver our program services, community partner spotlights that celebrate collaboration in action, and success stories that remind us of the profound impact we can make when we work together. We hope these features inspire you as much as they inspire us.
This season also offers a meaningful reminder to pause, reflect, and reconnect - with our purpose, our communities, and the people who support us along the way. Please consider supporting ECKAN's work, and please know that your contributions truly matter.
Thank you for being part of the ECKAN family. We are grateful for you today and every day.
Crystal Anderson, CEO
| | | | Staff Showing Their Dedication To ECKAN's Mission | | Thank You ECKAN Team For Their Dedication To ECKAN's Mission | |
ECKAN builds connections and provides program services in East Central Kansas to support the stability, health, and engagement of low-income individuals and families.
On November 7, 2025, our team came together for an All-Staff Training Day filled with learning, growth, and connection. Activities included:
🔹 Safety Awareness Training with James Covey
🔹 Mental Health Bingo to spark conversation and self-care
🔹 Community Needs Assessment Focus Groups to help us better understand and serve our communities
🔹 Rock Painting to inspire creativity and reflection
🔹 Strengthening our bond as one ECKAN family

Each of these experiences reflects our core values of Respect, Education, Empathy, and Integrity, and embodies our vision: Taking intentional actions to show others we care.
We are grateful every day for the passion, creativity, and care our staff brings to ECKAN. Their work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the families and individuals we serve across East Central Kansas.
Thank you, Team ECKAN! đź’™
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| ECKAN Staff's Skill Set Is Greatly Appreciated! | | |
At ECKAN, our strength comes from the dedication and talents of our team, and Danielle Bradley exemplifies that every day in her role as Osage County Human Coordinator.

Danielle’s exceptional organizational skills and ability to present information clearly and effectively make her an invaluable resource for both her colleagues and the communities she serves. Whether coordinating programs, facilitating meetings, or guiding community initiatives, Danielle ensures that every detail is handled with care and professionalism.

Her commitment reflects ECKAN’s core values of Respect, Education, Empathy, and Integrity, and her work consistently embodies our vision: Taking intentional actions to show others we care.
We are proud to have Danielle on our team, using her talents to strengthen connections, support families, and make a lasting impact in Osage County.
| | ECKAN Weatherization Team's Hard Work Makes A Difference! | | |
We are so grateful for the dedication and hard work of our ECKAN Weatherization team, who continue to make a meaningful impact in our communities. Recently, several team members completed their Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program Certification and earned an Energy Auditor Certification, demonstrating their commitment to professional growth and excellence in service. A few staff also had the opportunity to attend the NASCSP National Conference in Chicago, gaining valuable insights from national community partners to bring back to our programs.
Our Weatherization Department has strengthened community connections by partnering with CDBG programs in Johnson and Greenwood Counties. Additionally, we had a fantastic turnout at the Energy Conservation Fair in Lawrence on October 18, where our team hosted a booth and provided weatherization kits to families in need. This effort was made possible in collaboration with the Douglas County Sustainability Group, Evergy, KU Department of Engineering, and other local partners.
We are thankful for the expertise, energy, and heart our Weatherization staff bring to ECKAN every day. Their work not only improves the safety and efficiency of homes, but also helps families thrive—showing our vision in action: Taking intentional actions to show others we care.
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ECKAN Impacts
July to September 2025
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- Provided weatherization services to 52 households
- Used $663,773.61 from 5 funding resources
- Average invested to improve energy efficiency per home $12,000.01
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- ECKAN has 10 open positions.
- On average, roles are filled in 17 days.
- Turnover rate: 14.4%
- 5 New Head Start Employees
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- Early Head Start current enrollment is 124.
- Head Start current enrollment is 183.
- The current Waitlist is 154 for all options.
- Meals served
Breakfast: 4638
Lunch: 4638
Snack: 914
- Entered new Mental Health Contract with DCCCA in Lawrence
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- Unduplicated Individuals Served: 1,401
- Unduplicated Households Served: 448
- Pounds of Food and Retail Recovered: 137,770
- CSBG Expenditure on Personnel Costs: $139,232.13
- CSBG Expenditure on Non-Personnel Costs: $187,968.41
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- Unduplicated Active Vouchers: 218
- Quarterly Housing Assistance Payments (HAP): $285,991
- Current Households on Waitlist: 488
- Active Housing Choice Voucher Landlords: 80
- Owned ECKAN Rentals: 54
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- 93.25% of ECKAN's agency expenses went directly to program services
- 6.75% of ECKAN's agency expenses were for general administration.
| | Neighbors Helping Neighbors, We Couldn't Do It Without Amazing Local Partners | | |
After months without hot water, a Quenemo family can finally enjoy a warm shower again. When Osage County Community Center staff learned through a referral from SOS and Crosswinds that the family had been living without a working water heater, they took immediate action.
Through collaboration and local support, the team secured and delivered a brand-new hot water heater directly to the family’s home.
With help from the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), this family now has one of life’s most basic needs restored. They can focus on building comfort, stability, and a brighter future, proof of how neighbors helping neighbors can lift lives right here at home.
| | Meet the Faces of ECKAN | | We Are Grateful For Our ECKAN Staff! | | ECKAN is fortunate to be powered by extraordinary staff whose dedication, compassion, and expertise strengthen our mission every single day. This month, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for five team members who continue to make a meaningful impact across our communities: | |
Terri Carey - Cook, Anderson County Head Start
For 13 years, Terri has nurtured children and families through healthy meals, hands-on nutrition activities, and a commitment to lifelong wellness. Her passion for educating both parents and children on nutritious food choices reflects ECKAN’s values of support, empathy, and growth. Thank you, Terri, for helping build healthier futures with every meal you prepare.
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Bailey Thornsbury - Weatherization Intake Specialist
In just over two years, Bailey has become a vital part of ensuring neighbors have warm, safe, and energy-efficient homes. Her empathy, teamwork, and commitment to making the application process stress-free exemplify the very best of ECKAN. Thank you, Bailey, for helping families feel supported and secure.
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Mamona Hassan - Teacher, ECKAN Head Start
For 5 years, Mamona has created a classroom environment filled with respect, encouragement, and opportunity. She teaches not only academic skills but life lessons that help young learners grow into caring, confident community members. Thank you, Mamona, for nurturing both minds and hearts.
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Teresia Templeton - Franklin County Coordinator
For nearly 11 years, Teresia has walked alongside individuals and families, listening, supporting, and empowering them to achieve their goals. Her dedication to meeting immediate needs while building long-term stability reflects ECKAN’s core mission. Thank you, Teresia, for the strength, care, and hope you bring to the people you serve.
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Andera Lacey - Family Educator, Osage County
With 16 years of service, Andrea meets families exactly where they are, offering strength-based support that empowers parents and builds confidence. Her unwavering belief in integrity and intentional care has transformed countless lives. Thank you, Andrea, for your compassion and the trust you build within our community.
| | | Together, Terri, Andrea, Mamona, Bailey, and Teresia remind us what it truly means to take intentional actions that show we care. We are grateful for their service and for the heart they bring to ECKAN every single day. | | We Are Grateful For Our Governing Boards! | | |
ECKAN is guided, supported, and strengthened by the dedicated individuals who serve on our Board of Trustees and our Head Start Policy Council.
Our Board of Trustees works tirelessly to ensure that ECKAN remains a strong, mission-driven organization—one that continues to build connections, expand services, and meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Their insight, governance, and commitment help us stay focused on supporting stability, health, and engagement for individuals and families across East Central Kansas.
Likewise, our Head Start Policy Council plays a vital role in shaping the future of our early childhood programs. Their collaboration, thoughtful guidance, and firsthand perspectives ensure that children and families receive the highest-quality support, rooted in respect, empathy, and community partnership.
We are truly thankful for the time, care, and leadership these groups provide. Their dedication reflects our vision—taking intentional actions to show others we care—and helps make ECKAN’s work possible every single day.
| | ECKAN's Partnerships in the Community | | |
Hiatt Service LLC has been in business since October of 2021. They are located in Ottawa Ks. They provide HVAC services to Franklin & Surrounding Counties. They are locally owned & operated. They have a combined 45+ years of experience in Service & Installations. They have been partnered with ECKAN Since March of 2023. Their main focus is to educate the client on their new HVAC system to ensure the equipment lasts, operates as efficiently as possible, and that it meets their needs.

“We feel ECKAN is doing a great job in their efforts and we are very proud to partner with them. Our mission has always been to provide honest, trustworthy, reliable, efficient and affordable HVAC solutions to our customers.” - Cole Hiatt - Owner
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ECKAN Head Start is excited to partner with DCCCA to provide mental health consultation services for children and families in Douglas County. As part of our commitment to holistic support, we seek strong community partners—and this year, DCCCA stood out.
With extensive experience in mental health and community programs, DCCCA quickly showed how much more this partnership could offer. What began as a discussion about consultation expanded into high-quality staff training and access to additional resources for families.

This partnership marks a promising new chapter for ECKAN Head Start, and we look forward to the growth and support it will bring to our community.
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  ECKAN closed for Thanksgiving | | |
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, ECKAN will be closed on Wednesday, November 26, Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2025. We will resume normal business operations on Monday, December 1, 2025.
| | Your donation helps us with our mission of building connections and providing program services in East Central Kansas to support the stability, health, and engagement of low-income individuals and Families. | | | | |
