Author: Fred Atchison

Dustin Stumblingbear is busy community volunteer, working with City and County work groups addressing housing and homelessness. He spoke about the City Community Engagement work group, A Place for Everyone and the Douglas County Housing Initiative. He described a collaborative approach that has a goal of ending homelessness in the County by 2028. These efforts include supportive housing, creation of affordable housing, the Emergency Shelter and supportive systems. Equity and inclusion also characterize these efforts. Progress has been made as the problem has been studied and various entities are working closely together. Homeless response teams have been created to build trust with the homeless community and to assist in finding temporary services. Dustin spoke about the numerous myths regarding this population and answered many questions from club members. Dustin is an Iraq War veteran and attended Haskell Indian Nations University and Kansas University.

Paige Robinson, Community Engagement Director for Van Go, spoke on the organization’s unique story. Van Go is an Arts based employment program for under served youth. For twenty-five years the organization has provided job skills training, social services, mental health support, nutrition education, and daily life skills. Young people ages 14-24 attend group sessions and work on public art projects like murals and decorative benches. Individual art works are sold at an annual Holliday Market. Van Go employs a staff of ten, including two social workers. A clothes closet, job coaching and paid internships are available to graduates. Art works may be viewed on the Van Go web site. Paige first became involved with the Benchmark Program and joined the board of Directors in 2022.

Steve Lane and Jim Evers provided updates on two big LCR projects. Steve reported on the upcoming 15th Annual Community Bike Ride on July 19. This is a major club event that boasts four different bike rides, free safety helmets and fittings, healthy snacks, a maintenance station and plenty of family fun. This year will include a training wheel take off station and a bounce house. The events start at the beautiful Rotary Arboretum and it’s all free. A number of generous community sponsors and the LCR Foundation makes it possible. Steve reminded club volunteers to dress for sun and heat and to check comunitybikeride.com for weather cancelation.

Jim Evers spoke about The Lawrence Kids Calendar (LKC) and the work of the volunteers who curate events and activities in the Douglas County area. The calendar lists activities, classes, camps and events that are health focussed, learning, artistic and cultural in nature. Sponsorships are sold to advertisers with proceeds going to the LCR Foundation. The Foundation supports the Community Bike Ride, Rotary Youth Leadership Camp and other projects. Jim asked for help in identifying additional sponsors and in encouraging new users. Prospects for a fun summer look pretty good.

Carol Smith is Dean of Libraries at Kansas University, presiding over six libraries and an off site storage facility. She spoke about the state of the university library community and the year long celebration of Watson LIbrary’s 100th birthday. Watson is the largest library on campus and contains extensive collections of social sciences, humanities, education, journalism, social services and a number of student services. It is a grand structure in need of significant restoration. In addition to the discovery and creation of knowledge, the library works to engage students in various ways. The birthday celebration includes films, art events, dance lessons, music and crafts. Sustainability, environmental awareness and global engagement are high priorities for the staff. Watson is expanding maker spaces and boasts a seed library. The library is also moving into the realm of digital curriculum resources. Challenges include cuts in federal support and censorship challenges. Previously, the Dean worked in various roles in libraries in Missouri and Colorado.

As the Rotary year comes to an end, incoming President Shelly McColm addressed the club, discussing her Presidents training experience. She indicated training was very productive and creating a five year action plan was strongly recommended. The plan should increase the impact of the club and improve outreach and engagement, and the ability to adapt. Recruiting new members is critical, as is retaining the present membership. Surveying club members and supporting the Rotary Foundation are important elements of the process. Shelly would like the club to explore applying for a District grant to fund a suitable project. Shelly spoke briefly about her early years, her carrier and her family. She has a new grand baby, loves to read and make balloon arches for special occasions. Prospects look good for the coming year.