Blog

Tiffany Utech is a Victim Service Specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Her background is in psychology and counseling and she is well acquainted with the terrible consequences of vehicle crashes due to impaired driving. Impaired auto crashes are up 31 per cent and the resulting pain and suffering to victims and their families is truly terrible. A court case can take up to 2 1/2 years to complete and such delays are very difficult. MADD works directly with victims to provide support, they also work on legislative advocacy and public awareness of the problem. Education and prevention as well as mandatory offender education are important components of MADD. Drunk driving has a devastating impact on our community and MADD is working to address this tragic reality.

Nancy O’Connor is nutrition educator who set up a non profit that sponsored the creation of several school gardens. The gardens serve as a living class room for student interns 14-17 years of age. Growing Food Growing Health teaches students to grow food, environmental stewardship and how to work as a team. Gardens are located at West Middle School, Hillcrest Elementary and Sunset Hill Elementary. The produce is donated at a weekly market and to the food pantry at the Ballard Center. Students work three hours a day, three days a week, rain or shine. Nancy says they recruit kids that demonstrate dedication and leadership potential. Growing Food growing Health has a modest budget and relies on donations. There will be a fund raising event at the Depot in North Lawrence on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:00 p.m. Cultivate and Celebrate will feature talks by several student interns.

The Lawrence Community Shelter Executive Director, James Chiselom, and Deputy director, Kimberly Brabits, provided an update on the work of the Shelter. Much work has been done during James’ tenure to improve accommodations and program operations. The Shelter utilizes a trauma informed approach and seeks to restore dignity and improve lives, with rehousing being the ultimate goal. Three programs are available, the Emergency Shelter can house 175 individuals, providing essential care and housing stabilization services. Continuous Stay offers 30 and 90 day programs, housing stabilization and access to community resources. The Village offers a 6 month stay in a private cabin and intensive case management. Homeless outreach services provide targeted assistance and works with nonresidents in returning to their communities. The Shelter works closely with a number of important partners who provide residents with additional assistance and opportunities. James noted that trust had to be rebuilt with the community and that transparency is vital. There has been a 66 per cent reduction in unsheltered homeless.

Toto Love is not a pop song, but it is the name of a unique orphanage in Embu, Kenya. Ruth Ndwiga spoke about the orphanage and her Rotary club in Embu, Kenya. Ruth is a social worker by profession and she is in Lawrence with her family on a study visa. The Embu club supports special needs kids, clean water projects and polio plus. Toto Love is an orphanage for HIV positive kids and Ruth’s club is one of several sponsoring organizations. These kids are often abandoned in early childhood and face a serious stigma. Toto Love works to overcome these obstacles and educate and nourish these children. Ruth shared biographies of several young people and their aspirations for a normal adult life.

Josie Owens, Tonganoxie High School Sophomore, spoke about her experiences at Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). Rotary District 5710 hosted the five day camp at the University of Kansas on June 8-12, 2025. Clubs in the District sponsor high school aged students, and Josie represented Lawrence Central Rotary. Students experience an intensive and fun training on leadership and citizenship. They hear from local community leaders, do community service projects and perform team building exercises. Josie enjoyed the small group experience and the chance to meet and work with young people from North East Kansas. Josie said RYLA was a confidence builder and she is thinking about tying to start a Rotary Club in her School. She is also interested in the Rotary student exchange program. Josie hopes to study business and psychology and she enjoys playing piano and drums.