A network of grassroots individuals passionate about helping strengthen their communities are gaining the training, resources and compensation they need to succeed through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity Rural Champions program.
The latest cohort of rural champions, each of whom are spearheading a critical project in their respective communities, recently met for their quarterly meeting at the Sunflower Nonprofit Center.
In collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation and the Patterson Family Foundation, the Office of Rural Prosperity developed the Rural Champions program to help “rural communities to move the needle in areas where a lack of capital or other resources hinders necessary progress.”
The current cohort of rural champions includes:
- Analyssa Noe, Wetmore Community Development Champion
- Lisa Krull, Cheyenne County Housing Champion
- Lisa Schlesener, Herington Downtown Revitalization Champion
- Julie Lyon, Comanche Couty Regionalization & Grant Writer Champion
- Stacy Tholen, Grinnell Downtown Revitalization Champion
- Melissa Bogunovich, Harvey County Childcare Champion
- Kelly Perry, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team/Bronson Placemaking Champion
- Michelle Walters, Hodgeman County Housing Champion
- Carrie von Leonrod, Dighton Food Access Champion
- Amy Jo McWhirt, Cowley County Food Access Champion
- Kandie Morain, Rooks County Workforce Recruitment Champion
- Sarah Hampton, Stafford County Childcare Champion
- Beth Ann Falstad, The Building Community/Fredonia Community Development Champion
- Jessica Reth, United Way of the Flint Hills/Emporia, Homelessness Champion
Learn more about the Rural Champions program and the current cohort’s projects.