2023 Impact on the Plains finalists announced by United Way of the Plains

WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 6, 2023 — United Way of the Plains has named four finalists for this year’s Impact on the Plains. One program applicant in each of the four focus areas of health, education, financial stability and basic needs will participate in the “Shark Tank”-style social innovation competition hosted by the area’s largest nonprofit. This is the third year the event has been held and it is part of a month-long celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the founding of United Way of the Plains.

Up to $105,000 will be awarded to nonprofits with innovative and bold solutions to complex community issues. Finalists will make their pitches on stage in a live competition for an investment at the event that will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 19. The evening event is open to the public and tickets are still available.

The finalists address specific social services, health and human service needs across the service area covered by United Way of the Plains and were selected from applications submitted by a variety of nonprofits. In addition to learning more about these four initiatives during the presentations, community leaders acting as judges will ask questions of each of the presenters to help them determine and deliver funding for these new ideas at the conclusion of the event.

Abel Frederic, Vice President of Community Impact for United Way of the Plains, said the investment event attracted applications from both traditionally funded partners as well as newer nonprofits. “The entire nonprofit landscape of south central Kansas is learning to evolve in ways that will help more people, provide higher quality social services and deliver impact as efficiently as possible.”

The four finalists are:

Health

• HealthBridge Initiative: Connecting Communities to Comprehensive Care
  Medic All, Inc.
  INNOVATIVE OUTCOME – providing improved access to quality healthcare for low-income and uninsured individuals with a cost-free pathway that eliminates financial, geographical and linguistic barriers through telemedical consultations.

Education

• Aspire Academy Childcare Center
  Women Aspire
  INNOVATIVE OUTCOME – delivering enhanced self-sufficiency skills through quality early education for children and resources for parents seeking advanced employment opportunities.

Financial Stability

• BeyondFoster – Restorative Justice Youth Circles for Kansas Foster Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
  Culture Creations, Inc.
  INNOVATIVE OUTCOME – transitioning young people out of foster care with the support, education and resources that lead to holistically healthy lives while empowering them on their journey toward independent adulthood.

Basic Needs

• Journey Home – Homeless Family Housing Program
  Children First CEO of Kansas
  INNOVATIVE OUTCOME – helping stabilize homeless families with financial assistance and wrap around services that include family peer support.

Check the social media platforms for United Way of the Plains on the evening of Sept. 19 to learn which nonprofit is awarded the largest investment and which one earns the People’s Choice award. Visit unitedwayplains.org/impact for more information about the competition.

The host sponsor for the event is Textron Aviation.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Prather, Vice President of Marketing and Chief Community Engagement Officer, (316) 267-1321, ext. 4105, aprather@unitedwayplains.org

United Way of the Plains is a nonprofit and for-impact organization that focuses on health, education, financial stability and basic needs – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Our mission is to improve lives by harnessing the caring power of our community to advance the common good in south central Kansas. Follow us on these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.