We talk with Dane Malone about how Switch Wicked Studios grows from a screen printing shop into a nonprofit community art space in downtown Manhattan. We dig into the events, the low-friction ways artists can participate, and the big goal of making creativity feel accessible for all ages. 
• expanding from design and screen printing into a retail space plus community studios 
• running weekly meetups like Independent Craft Night and Film Club 
• hosting a First Saturday Art Market that helps local artists start selling 
• treating the studio as a creative idea incubator for workshops and new events 
• building all-ages music through the Frog Wizard concert series 
• partnering locally and creating a welcoming landing spot for people new to town 
switchwicked.com 
Following us on social media is a great way to keep up on all of our events as well 

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We talk with Carla Johnson from Disabled American Veterans about how trained service officers help veterans and families access VA benefits, file claims, and avoid getting lost in paperwork. We also dig into a Kansas policy win and the everyday ways a local DAV chapter steps in when someone needs help fast. 

• the DAV mission and who it serves, including spouses and dependents 
• how chapter and national service officers support VA disability claims 
• annual recertification and what it takes to stay trained 
• what “power of attorney” means for filing and managing claims 
• what happens at a DAV state convention and why elections matter 
• the new Kansas sales tax exemption for certain 100% disabled veterans 
• emergency help a chapter can provide, from bus tickets to rent support 
• the Elizabeth Dole Act and a way some Vietnam era vets can check for free dental 
• monthly meetings, community events, and how new members can join 

They just go on the website and do that. Yes, d'a v dot org. 

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We talk with Daphne McNally from Adabus about how local public transportation connects people across Manhattan and the surrounding counties with fixed routes, curb-to-curb rides, and regional service. We also share practical tips for first-time riders plus what’s changing next, from better stops to new software and possible microtransit. 

• ATA bus services across Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties 
• Fixed route buses plus curb-to-curb scheduled rides 
• K-18 Connect regional service and how it’s working 
• Why public transportation means access, freedom, and independence 
• Rider patterns and the stat that 55% ride to work or school 
• Stop and rider upgrades including shelters and digital sign readers 
• East West Express and how limited stops speed trips 
• Ridership trends and why weather affects demand 
• New software plans and what microtransit could look like 
• How to ride for $1, use passes, and ask drivers for help 
• Using Google Maps, the Transit app, and printable route maps at www.fhata.org 

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We talk with Virginia Rodriguez of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team about what it really takes to help refugees build stable lives in Manhattan and the surrounding area. We also dig into how fast changing policies and public narratives are shaping fear, opportunity, and day to day reality for the families MART serves.
• MART’s role as a refugee resettlement agency serving a 50 mile radius around Manhattan
• How a volunteer led Afghan resettlement effort grew into a staffed organization
• Behind the scenes work at the Damon Runyon House headquarters and why paperwork drives the process
• Policy shifts affecting refugees including SNAP cuts and upcoming Medicaid changes
• Legal status realities alongside rising fear of deportation
• Washington Post reporting focus on human stories and Afghan women’s lived experience
• The Estherbrook Scholarship and why higher education support matters
• Volunteer needs including a volunteer coordinator and an English buddy style community connection
send us an email to infoallieswelcome.com

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We talk with Dr. Sarah Barrett about the YES! Fund and how a community-funded grant model builds safe, engaging after-school programs for youth across Manhattan. We trace the fund’s roots back to the 1993 flood, the moment local leaders listened to young people, and how that choice has led to more than $6.3 million in support over 30 years.
• what the Yes Fund is and what “YES” stands for
• why youth engagement matters outside school hours
• how the 1993 flood recovery shaped youth priorities
• examples of programs funded, from sports to leadership to creative exploration
• how the Yes Fund differs from other GMCF grants through community donations and matching
• the Kansas State University College of Education partnership and why it matters
• results to date and what the funding makes possible for local kids

Folks can contribute to the Yes Fund throughout the year, but our 2026 campaign begins on July 12th, and that will run through September 7th. Folks can send a check to GMCF, P.O. Box1127, Manhattan, Kansas, 66505, or donate directly at mcfks.org at the YES! Fund tab, and check the Manhattan Mercury each week for donor names and program stories.

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We talk with Elizabeth Nelson about how USD 383 Early Learning keeps working through the summer and why now is the time to apply for preschool. We break down the July 16 in-person application day, what “kindergarten readiness” really looks like, and how one central application connects families to inclusive support. 

• Summer learning and year-round enrollment work in USD 383 
• July 16 application day details and what families should bring 
• How the program supports ages three to five not yet in kindergarten 
• Funding options including Head Start, at-risk grants, and fee-paying slots 
• Fall-to-spring growth in early literacy, numbers, and social-emotional skills 
• One-stop application model that replaces multiple waiting lists 
• Head Start’s comprehensive services that support the whole family network 
• What a typical preschool day feels like and why routines matter 

Get online, fill out an application, and get in contact with us to attend our July 16th application day at 2600 Kimball at College Hill Early Learning Center, and you can find out more at USD383.org

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We talk with Tom Roberts about how the Engineers Foundation of Kansas turns donations into hands-on STEM opportunities for students across the state. We dig into robotics, MathCounts, Future City, and why AI makes critical thinking more important, not less. 
• what the Engineers Foundation of Kansas is and why it exists 
• how statewide support strengthens the engineering pipeline in Kansas 
• using grants for Lego Mindstorms kits and MathCounts memberships 
• why robotics teaches logic, design, teamwork, and accountability 
• how the Little Apple Cyborgs reached national competition with community fundraising 
• how Future City builds engineering thinking plus public speaking and leadership 
• what students say years later about the impact of early STEM programs 
• why AI is a tool that still requires math fundamentals and verification 
• how we support educators directly with teacher and professor awards 
• how match partners and community giving fuel the work 
Kansasengineer.org is the place to go 
Remember Philanthropy Today, wherever you get your podcast 

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We catch up with Jack Lindquist on how the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program recruits and trains leaders who understand the whole region, not just one town. We talk through who qualifies, how the program is funded, and why class projects turn networking into real community change. 
• recruiting for the 2026-27 class and why the program looks for motivated, growth-minded leaders 
• eligibility across Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, Morris and Fort Riley, including people who work in the area 
• the value of a diverse cohort for better listening, decision-making and problem solving 
• how Fort Riley strengthens the region through economic impact and long-term community ties 
• program history and the shift toward regional thinking beyond city limits 
• tuition, scholarships for small business and nonprofits, and the role of underwriters instead of tax dollars 
• the online application, curriculum dates, and the short recorded intro that replaces an interview 
• class projects and the Ogden youth center example of sweat equity unlocking faster progress 
Go online at frlp.org and go into the apply menu link. 

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We welcome Brent Sigman as the new executive director of the Flint Hills Volunteer Center and hear why he’s bringing a boots on the ground mindset to volunteer coordination. We talk through where the biggest needs are right now, how we build stronger community partnerships, and how we can bring more young people into volunteerism. 

• Brent’s local background and the path from public service and theatre to nonprofit leadership 
• A hands-on approach to storm cleanup and showing up early for community needs 
• Building and rebuilding partnerships with local organizations across Manhattan 
• How we connect volunteers with opportunities and why education improves retention 
• Why the mall location helps visibility and makes it easier to walk in and ask 
• Youth outreach through a K-State football camp and early volunteer education 
• Current volunteer gaps including medical transportation drivers and lawn care help 
• Festival of Trees planning and the need for a strong committee 

Flint Hillsvolunteer Center.com is uh the website. Our phone number is 785-776-7787. Mine is director.fvc at gmail.com. 

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We talk with Deb Klutz of Homestead Ministries about long-term, holistic care for adult female survivors of sex trafficking in Manhattan and Celina. We dig into why trafficking is underreported, why some survivors seek faith-based support, and how the community can offer practical help that makes recovery possible. 
• Homestead Ministries’ residential model and what holistic long-term care looks like 
• Why many survivors ask for faith-based recovery and spiritual support 
• How highways, large events, and local conditions can increase trafficking risk 
• Why the numbers look “low” and how fear drives underreporting 
• Klutz’s description of SRA claims and why higher-structure care may be needed 
• Success stories after one to three years of care and the impact of stable housing 
• A leadership pipeline that equips graduates to lead anti-trafficking work 
• Concrete ways to help now through mentoring and household supply donations 
homesteadministry.org

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