We are now less than a month away from our second Game Changer Gala. And while the gala is a great reason to get dressed up & spend an evening at Arrowhead Stadium, the gala is about so much more. We put this event together because it helps to support our programs and services that go beyond what is typically expected from a mental health center.
We are always working to meet the changing needs of our community. When we identify a gap or an unmet need, we work to find solutions. Over the years, we have developed a number of important programs that remain underfunded—programs like the Frank Williams Outreach Center, our homeless programs, and Robert's Place Emergency Children's Shelter.
These underfunded programs make a big difference in the lives of those who need them most. Take Robert’s Place, for example. Before its opening, children who were removed from their homes due to suspicions of abuse or neglect were often placed in police cars and driven far from their families, sometimes as far as Junction City or Wichita, in the middle of the night. This resulted in unnecessary trauma for kids who were already navigating some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Robert’s Place has changed that. It provides a safe, compassionate environment for children who need to be separated from their home, whether for a crisis or for respite. It offers not just a place to stay, but a space for healing, allowing children to process their emotions in a way that minimizes further trauma.
The funds raised from the Game Changer Gala support these programs that go beyond the basics. They help us ensure that children in our community don’t face their most difficult moments alone, and that families have the support they need to heal and grow. This is why we do what we do—and why your support is so vital.
I hope you will join us at Arrowhead Stadium on February 22.