By: Ryan Duey
Topics discussed during the Clay Counts Coalition’s regular monthly meeting on December 11th included: Young Professionals, YLink Reports, Community Garden, Courageous Conversation, Holidays, TeamMates Program, and more.
Kathryn Doster-Tipsword spoke on the newly formed young professionals group. She stated that the Facebook group is up and going and they have spoken to citizens aged 20-40 on regards of community engagement with the group. They plan to hold their next meeting in January, no date has been set.
A motion was made to pay to be a Business Partner in 2025, passing unanimously.
YLink reported on its recent 5th quarter event. They served hot chocolate and had an ornament painting at the last event, which was after the first home basketball game, the next 5th quarter is set for January. Members will be attending the Mental Health Youth Advocacy Day in Topeka and the CADCA Mid-Year conference in Nashville. YLink members Izzy Blackwood and Raegann McDonald will be on the newly formed Upstream Kansas Committee. Blackwood was also appointed to the Governor’s Committee for Mental Health.
Nikki Burwell updated members on the Community Garden. She said dirt has been moved and the perimeter will be set this weekend. The next step will be getting gravel down and building garden boxes. Flyers and other communication will start in January and the Grand Opening is scheduled for March.
The next Courageous Conversations event is being planned for February. The event will be “Strong Sisters: A Courageous Conversation about Self Care,” promoting and communicating the topic of self-care of women.
Lisa Last gave an update on the local Holiday Helping Hands initiatives. She stated that 130 kids participated in Operation Elf and all kids are spoken for. The Lighthouse, Clay Center Elks, and Clay Center First Responders participated in “Shop with a Cop” at Gibson’s recently. The event turned out great. She reported that the number of families seeking assistance this year has nearly doubled from last year, with the Lighthouse seeing the same trend.
Dana Rickley reported that they have received two grants: a $125,000 grant to continue Drug Free Communities, and a $105,000 grant to continue the Drug Endangered Children Program.
Members spoke about “Unite Kansas,” a care network consisting of healthcare, government, nonprofit, and other organizations. The network uses software to securely identify, deliver, and pay for services that address individuals in need. It is free across Kansas. Grow Clay County received a $175,000 grant that may help with this program in the community.
The Clay County Health Department and Clay County Medical Center are planning a Health Fair/Baby Shower on April 5th at the hospital. This event will be for citizens who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next half year. More information will be available in the future.
