Rising Together: The Power of Collective Impact

by Dalton Black, executive director

Communities don’t thrive because of one person or one organization. They thrive when neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and leaders come together with a shared vision: to make life better for everyone.

At United Way, we believe the surest way to build lasting change is through collaboration. When one nonprofit succeeds, our entire community rises. When a food pantry expands its reach, a child goes to bed nourished. When a childcare provider grows its capacity, more parents can work and provide for their families. When a housing program helps someone find stability, the ripple effect touches classrooms, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

A Call for Bold Collaboration

Recently, I attended the Kansas Health Foundation’s HealthRise 2025 event. Ed O’Malley, the Foundation’s CEO, challenged us with a vision: Kansas is ranked 28th in overall health among states—but we should strive to be number one. To get there, he said, will require bold collaborations.

That message resonated deeply. Bold collaboration is exactly what United Way is built for. We know that no single program can move a state or a community from 28th to 1st. But when organizations work together—sharing resources, expertise, and heart—the impossible starts to look possible.

This call is also timely. The Kansas Health Foundation has identified upward mobility as its focus area for the coming year. That aligns directly with the work of United Ways across Kansas, including ours, as we shine a light on ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These are the families who earn above the poverty line but still struggle to afford life’s basics—childcare, housing, food, transportation, healthcare.

By centering upward mobility, we’re showing our dedication not just to local collaboration but also to working alongside funders and statewide partners who share this mission. It’s one more way we’re building the bold coalitions needed to transform Kansas communities.

Why Collective Impact Matters

The challenges our communities face—hunger, housing insecurity, access to childcare, health gaps—are too big for any one organization to solve alone. But when we bring nonprofits together, we create something powerful: a network of solutions, each one amplifying the others.

United Way isn’t just a funder. We’re a convener, a connector, a catalyst. We help nonprofits grow their capacity, strengthen their programs, and find the partnerships that take their work further. And when that happens, our entire community becomes stronger.

Jessica Reth – UWFH, Daphne Reed Mertens – UWFH, Maddie Craig – UWFH, Dalton Black – UWHMC, Pete Najera – UWP, and Jessica Lehnherr – UWKV.

Lifting Each Other Up

The beauty of collective impact is that it honors every organization’s role. No one carries the burden alone. Instead, we each bring our strengths to the table: knowledge, passion, expertise, lived experience. Together, those strengths add up to real transformation.

Through this approach, we’ve seen coalitions form around housing, childcare, healthy living, disaster response, and more. Each one is built on the belief that when we link arms and invest in each other’s success, we all win.

A Community Transformed

Imagine a future where every family has access to healthy food, every child has the opportunity to learn and grow, and every person has a safe place to call home. That future is possible—not because of one program, but because of many organizations rising together.

Together, we’re not just addressing problems. We’re building solutions that last.

Because when we unite, we don’t just create change—we create a community where everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone thrives.

Welcome Amanda Lowe: Our New Director of Development and Marketing!

We are thrilled to introduce Amanda Lowe as the new Director of Development and Marketing for United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties!

Amanda brings more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to community service, relationship building, and impactful storytelling. Her passion for serving others and strengthening local communities aligns perfectly with United Way’s mission – and we’re excited to have her leadership as we continue to grow and make lasting change in Harvey and Marion counties.

A proud advocate for grassroots involvement, Amanda has spent her career building strong partnerships and driving innovative development strategies. Whether organizing fundraising campaigns, fostering community connections, or bringing awareness to vital local issues, Amanda is known for putting people first and making sure every voice is heard.

“A strong community starts with strong relationships,” Amanda says. “I believe in the power of collaboration – that when we come together with a shared vision, we can build something truly lasting. I’m honored to join United Way in this work and help elevate the stories and strengths of our local communities.”

Outside of work, Amanda is an avid sports enthusiast who loves soccer, tennis and golf. She believes in the power of sports to teach teamwork, perseverance, and joy – values she brings into her professional life as well.

Please join us in welcoming Amanda to the United Way team! We’re excited for the energy, experience, and heart she brings to our mission, and we look forward to the meaningful impact we’ll make together under her leadership.

Between Wheat and Want: Why ALICE Matters in Harvey and Marion Counties

by Dalton Black, executive director

At our recent event, Between Wheat and Want: A Conversation with Sarah Smarsh, we gathered with community members to look more closely at what it means to live on the edge in Kansas. Sarah, a Kansas-born writer who has chronicled rural life and working-class struggles, reminded us that behind the statistics are real families—our neighbors—navigating hard choices every single day. Her book, Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth, was published in 2018.

When she read from her new book Bone of the Bone: Essays on America by a Daughter of the Working Class, the room was silent. In the passage, she wrote about her father, Nick Smarsh, who has spent decades working in a field that’s always been unstable, with grueling hours, long stretches on the road, and little safety net. Now older, he faces even steeper challenges. The steady paycheck that once seemed just enough has become less certain, and the physical toll of the work grows heavier by the year. You could hear in Sarah’s voice as she shared not just his story, but the story of countless men and women who age out of industries that demand so much and give back so little security.

Listening to her, many of us were reminded that ALICE isn’t just a statistic; it’s our neighbors, our parents, and sometimes ourselves. ALICE—Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed—represents working families who earn above the federal poverty level but still can’t afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare. In Harvey County, 26% of households fall into this ALICE category, with another 9% living below the poverty line. Marion County faces similar realities, with 29% ALICE and 10% below poverty. That means that nearly 4 in 10 households in our two counties are struggling to make ends meet.

These numbers are more than data points. They show us that “working hard” is no longer a guarantee of stability. Rising costs of living, limited childcare options, and housing shortages leave families vulnerable, even when they’re doing everything “right.” As Sarah put it during our conversation, this is a systemic challenge—not an individual failure.

At United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, we’ve taken this to heart. Our work is grounded in the belief that upward mobility should not be reserved only for those born into wealth. That’s why all four of our focus areas—Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency—connect back to creating pathways for families to rise.

  • We invest in programs that make childcare affordable and accessible, because parents can’t work if they don’t have safe places for their kids.
  • We support food access initiatives, because healthy meals are the foundation for learning and long-term health.
  • We champion housing stability, because when families have a secure home, everything else becomes more possible.
  • We build coalitions for resilience, ensuring that in times of crisis, families don’t have to weather the storm alone.

The ALICE data is sobering, but it also gives us direction. It tells us where the gaps are, where families are falling through, and where we can step in—not just with short-term aid, but with long-term solutions.

Our mission is simple but urgent: to ensure every household in Harvey and Marion Counties has the chance to not just get by, but to move up.

Together with partners, neighbors, and leaders like Sarah Smarsh who shine a light on the reality of working-class life, we’re building communities where families don’t have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, where opportunity is real, and where upward mobility is possible for all.

United Way Awarded CSBG Grant to Support Harvey County Families

We’re excited to share some great news: United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties has been awarded funding from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.

This award will help launch a new Housing Coalition and Resource Navigator right here in Harvey County. The goal is simple but powerful: connect residents who are struggling with housing, food, transportation, or other basic needs to the resources that can help them stabilize and thrive.

Why This Matters

In Harvey County, too many families face tough choices between paying rent, putting food on the table, or covering medical bills. Data from United For ALICE shows that more than one in three households in our area are living paycheck to paycheck, without a safety net for unexpected costs. By building a Housing Coalition and hiring a Resource Navigator, we can make sure vulnerable neighbors don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.

How It Works

  • The Housing Coalition will bring together community partners — nonprofits, churches, government agencies, and businesses — to collaborate on solutions for housing insecurity.
  • The Resource Navigator will work directly with individuals and families to assess needs, connect them to services, and walk alongside them as they work toward stability.

A Statewide Effort

We’re proud to stand alongside five other organizations across Kansas who also received CSBG discretionary funding. Together, we’re part of a larger effort to reduce poverty, revitalize communities, and empower families to reach self-sufficiency.

Looking Ahead

This grant is an important step forward, but it’s just the beginning. By strengthening partnerships and offering personalized support, we can help more Harvey County families move from crisis to stability — and ultimately toward opportunity.

We’re grateful to KHRC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for making this investment in our community. And we’re especially thankful to our local partners and supporters who make this work possible every day.

Dreams Do Come True

by Sheila Kelley, development coordinator

After 43 years bringing joy to her beauty salon clients at ManeStreet Beautique, owner Linda Martinez hung up her scissors and curling irons only to grab on to pie pans, bread dough and peach tea.

Linda has entered a new phase of her life – owning and operating a quaint and colorful bistro, Gathered ‘Round Bistro & Bakery, located on Walnut Street in downtown Peabody.

Linda began her career at a salon in Minneapolis, Kansas where she started as a clean-up girl, then attended beauty college and was hired right out of beauty school.

“When my cousin bought the building for me in 2011 to design a salon, he urged me to think ahead to what I might like to do after I’m done with the salon,” Linda said. “So I told him the only other thing I know how to do is cook and bake.”

His response was, “set it up for that too.” Looking ahead to different options, Linda placed the electricity outlets and water fixtures to be able to utilize at the salon and later at a food establishment.

In 2022, she decided it was time to make the change. She retired in 2025 and started her new adventure.

“I didn’t know what I was going to call it,” she said, smiling. “I didn’t know what I was going to serve. I just wanted it to be a food place.”

She chose a bistro because it’s unique. She didn’t want a café, restaurant or bar. When she chose the name, she was honoring her mom with the name of Gathered ‘Round which came from a poem her sister wrote after their mother passed away.

“We have strong, cherished memories of gathering around mom’s table,” she stated. “I serve what you got in your mom or grandma’s kitchen – homemade, home goodness and lots of laughter.”

The bistro doesn’t have a set menu nor do they serve alcohol. Some items are a constant choice like the grilled breakfast sandwich and French toast meal. She always has deli sandwiches, made on homemade bread, and deli wraps available.

The bright and airy atmosphere of the bistro is uplifting as well as welcoming. There are set hours of service but she will be open for certain community evening events like the Sunday cruises and holiday events. There is seating for 17 inside plus two bistro tables outside.

Hours of operation are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the Gathered ‘Round website to see evening meal specials and desserts of all kinds.

At some point Linda plans to offer a reservation-only meal on a Saturday evening. It would be a themed meal with music, appetizer, entree, dessert and decorations.

“These special meals could be Mexican, Italian, Cajun, even Belizean from recipes I’ve gathered from older women on my trips to Belize,” Linda said.

Linda can be reached on the Gathered ‘Round webpage or at 785-488-6856.

WHAT IS SMALL BUSINESS UNITED?

Small Business United is a group of small businesses who have joined together to make a huge impact! Often we see small businesses who would love to get involved and help the community, but don’t have the resources to make a large gift. By becoming Small Business United members, these businesses contribute to improve lives and strengthen our community. To become a SBU member, click here and select “Small Business United” on the donation page.

Breathe Deep: How Relaxation Leads to a Healthier Life

by Sheila G. Kelley, Development Coordinator

“In through your nose, out through your mouth.” It’s a simple instruction that clients at Breathe Deep Works in downtown Peabody hear often, but this mindful breathing is just the beginning of the healing process.

Tucked inside a beautifully preserved, 140-year-old building, Breathe Deep Works is owned and operated by Rachel Gfeller, a massage therapist with nearly two decades of experience. Rachel offers a wide variety of wellness treatments, including deep tissue, hot stone, relaxation, cupping, and prenatal massage. But for Rachel, massage is more than a service—it’s a mission to help people care for their bodies and live with less pain and more vitality.

“I believe when someone walks in my door, they’re here because they want better for themselves,” Rachel says. “If I have a technique or stretch that can help you long-term, I’m going to explain it in a way that makes sense. Everything I do is rooted in love—for my craft and for my clients.”

Rachel continues to grow her skills through continuing education and recently added the Spinal Flow Technique (SF) to her practice. This innovative method works with the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body responsible for deep relaxation and healing. Through gentle touch on access points along the spine, like the sacrum and temples, Rachel helps guide clients out of the stress-driven “fight, flight, or freeze” state and into a place where true healing can begin.

“In 2024, I began studying Spinal Flow, and it’s the missing link in my career,” she shares. “It’s gentle, but powerful. I’ve seen incredible results—people who’ve lived with daily pain are finally finding relief.”

Spinal Flow sessions typically last 15–30 minutes. Clients lie face down while Rachel applies light pressure, helping their bodies release stored stress. Repeated sessions help retrain the body to process stress instead of storing it, which can otherwise create blockages in the nervous system and disrupt wellness.

“When we suppress emotions or physical responses to stress, that energy has to go somewhere,” Rachel explains. “It gets trapped around the spine and blocks nerve signals. Over time, that’s what can lead to disease in the body.”

Rachel, a proud graduate of Peabody High School, is also a wife and mom of two. Whether through traditional massage or Spinal Flow, her passion is clear: helping others live healthier, more balanced lives.

It’s My Pleasure to Introduce…

Ethan Reimer, UWHMC Board Member

Question: Where did you grow up and what was your family life like?

Answer: I grew up and lived in Sedgwick, KS until I graduated from Sedgwick High School and went off to college.  My older brother and I were fortunate to be brought up by our parents in such a small and close-knit community as well as being blessed that most of our extended family, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. were also in the area.  The importance of family, community, service to others, and building those lifetime connections was taught to us from an early age.

Question: Who have been your strongest influences in life?

Answer: On a personal level, my wife and family as well as one or two really close good friends have had a major influence on my life, values, and outlook. 

On a professional level, Sedgwick’s long-time former mayor, Keith DeHaven, was a constant model of service to others and giving back to the community. He helped lead me to consider a career in public service when I was at a crossroads of deciding what I might do in terms of a longer-term career choice. 

Question: What led you to your career?

Answer: My first exposure to local government work was through my mom, who served the City of Sedgwick for over 25 years, including becoming their first City Administrator. 

After spending some time working various jobs in the private sector, mostly in management and finance, I happened to have a conversation with Mayor DeHaven when I was home for a visit about my long-term plans and he asked if I had ever thought about working in local government. 

That conversation and some personal reflection eventually led me to pursue my MPA at Wichita State and I was pleasantly surprised that I found a job in Halstead and was able to be back in Harvey County as I started my own public service career and family.

Question: How would friends and acquaintances describe you?

Answer: Not sure I would want to know . . . probably a bit quiet and reserved in general, maybe a little too prone to sarcasm or too serious for my own good, but always willing to listen and laugh with anyone and always glad to help if I can. 

Question: With so many volunteer opportunities in the community, why did you choose to be involved with United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties?

Answer: I believe that United Way is one of the best examples of an organization that is making a difference by building community partnerships.  I also enjoy that United Way has several areas that they focus on, taking a more holistic approach to addressing the many issues that could help to improve people’s lives and the overall community.

Question: What’s the one thing you want people to know about UWHMC?

Answer: That beyond their own efforts and initiatives, UWHMC also supports other organizations that make a difference in the lives of people every day.

It’s My Pleasure to Introduce…

Mary Goad, UWHMC Board Member

Question: Where did you grow up and what was your family life like?

Answer: I grew up in Emporia Kansas with my parents and three sisters.

Question: Who have been your strongest influences in life? 

Answer: My father.  He had an 8th grade education and accomplished more than most people with a master’s degree.  He taught me you can be anything you want to be if you work hard enough.

Question: What led you to your career?

Answer: I worked at a title company and became interested in the lending side of the closing transactions I was doing.  So I set a goal of becoming a loan officer. 

Question: How would friends and acquaintances describe you?

Answer: Loyal, funny and resilient.

Question: With so many volunteer opportunities in the community, why did you choose to be involved with United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties?

Answer: I appreciate how United Way impacts lives on so many levels and has so many partners to make a difference in Harvey & Marion Counties.

Question: What’s the one thing you want people to know about UWHMC?

Answer: That we can all impact our community by combining our resources and every little bit helps someone!

It’s My Pleasure to Introduce…

Layla Nightingale, Coalition Coordinator

Question: Where did you grow up and what was your family life like?

Answer: I was born and raised in Larned, KS, along with my sister. My mother pursued a career in education, while my father served as the unit administrator of the National Guard Armory. During my childhood, I frequently assisted my parents with their work, engaged in playing musical instruments, and learned about farm life from my grandparents. Weekends were often spent enjoying camping trips to the lake. Over time, I cultivated interests in singing, woodworking, crafting, flying control-line airplanes, and valued quality time with family and friends.

Question: Who have been your strongest influences in life?

Answer: My parents and sister have been significant influences in my life, demonstrating a deep commitment to family, friends, and community. They have instilled in me the values of a strong work ethic and compassion for others, which I believe are essential for leading a happy and healthy life. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in pursuing my educational and entrepreneurial aspirations. Additionally, my two daughters have profoundly impacted me, teaching me to be a better person and embrace a more adventurous and determined approach to life.

Question: What led you to your career?

Answer: In high school, I developed a love for biology and anatomy/physiology, leading to a career in healthcare. I graduated with a nursing degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1998. After two years as a hospital floor nurse, I spent 12 years as a Dermatology staff nurse. Upon moving to Halstead, I worked for a decade as a healthcare educator at a small non-profit.

Question: How would friends and acquaintances describe you?

Answer: My friends and family would describe me as highly inquisitive and a lifelong learner.  I value deep friendships and am committed to supporting the people I care about, as well as my community. Prioritizing my family, I continuously strive to become the best version of myself to effectively assist and support others. 

Question: What’s the one thing you want people to know about UWHMC?

Answer: United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties is making significant strides in improving our community’s health by aligning people with a shared vision. By fostering partnerships and providing grant opportunities, the organization helps bring these ideas to life. The dedicated efforts of the staff and the grants awarded contribute to creating a healthier, happier, and safer environment for everyone.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Selects Healthy Harvey Coalition to return as Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Community in Harvey County

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) announces it has selected Healthy Harvey Coalition in Harvey County, along with 18 other communities, as grantees for its third phase of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas (Pathways) initiative. BCBSKS will be partnering with these community coalitions to improve healthy eating, active living, commercial tobacco prevention and mental health.

Since the Pathways initiative began in 2016, BCBSKS has facilitated 748 grants/projects in communities throughout Kansas, including Harvey County. The Pathways program was created to inspire long-lasting, community-wide health and well-being in communities across Kansas.

“We’ve seen the commitment from Healthy Harvey Coalition and know they are ready to continue the work to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve,” said Matt All, President/CEO of BCBSKS. “For more than 80 years, we have been dedicated to helping not only our members, but all Kansans live better, healthier lives. Through our Pathways initiative, we are helping remove barriers to accessing healthy foods, increasing physical activity, preventing commercial tobacco use and improving mental health. We are thrilled to continue this program with our new and returning Pathways grantees and can’t wait to see the difference they make in their communities.”

Each Pathways community will receive coordination assistance from BCBSKS to get started and, in addition, organizations within the Harvey County community will have the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation grants to fund projects that will help reach the Healthy Harvey Coalition’s goals for the initiative.

Over the past seven years, several health initiatives in Harvey County can be attributed to the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative. Some programs have included Food as Medicine prescription program, focusing on healthier food choices implemented by Health Ministries Clinic; walking and bike path extensions in North Newton, Newton and Halstead; food pantry choice program at Hesston Resource Center; fitness courts at Kansas Learning Center for Health in Halstead and the NMC Health campus in Newton, plus so much more.

“We are graciously thankful for the funding from Blue Cross Blue Shield to invest in Harvey County’s health priorities,” said Lynnette Redington, Harvey County Health Department director. “It has brought a number of partners into collaborations that before this may have never been in the same room. It’s helping to make us a healthier Harvey County.”

Now under the facilitation of United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties, the Healthy Harvey Coalition will focus on five Pathways to address social determinants of health in our community. For phase three, the Coalition will continue working with food pantries by partnering with New Jerusalem Missions in Newton in order to increase access and healthy options to clients utilizing their pantry. In addition, the Coalition will focus on the other Pathways like Neighborhood and Built Environment – working on a Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, Social and Community Context – Healthier Communal Meals – working to increase access to food, and others.

“The Pathways initiative has provided our community with the tools and resources needed to take our work to the next level,” said Dalton Black, United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties executive director. “We are looking forward to partnering with other organizations to help make Harvey County a healthier place for all.”

The Pathways initiative combines community-wide, evidence-based solutions and practices to help Kansas communities improve active living, healthy eating, behavioral health and commercial tobacco prevention and is structured around five pathways that require collaboration across a community. These pathways include economic stability, education access and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhoods and built environment, and social and community context. To learn more about Pathways, visit bcbsks.com/blue-health-initiatives/pathways.