16 Jul Working Together to Build Healthier Communities
The Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk, held every year in Nov., was initially established as a Community Coalition initiative.
Some of the biggest improvements in a community begin with people simply gathering around a table to talk. That’s the idea behind the McPherson County Community Foundation’s Well Core Group, formerly known as the Community Coalition.
Meeting every other month, the Well Core Group brings together representatives from nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, libraries, healthcare, and other community partners to discuss the challenges facing McPherson County and explore ways to address them. While many participants serve in leadership roles, the meetings are open to anyone who wants to be part of building a healthier, stronger community.
Regular participants include members of the McPherson County Sheriff’s Office, the McPherson County Health Department, local libraries, and organizations working to address the social determinants of health, including food security, housing, transportation, and access to care. By bringing together people with different perspectives and areas of expertise, the group is able to identify needs that no single organization could tackle alone.
That collaboration recently led to another milestone as the Community Coalition became an officially recognized health coalition through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The designation opens the door to additional grant opportunities that can help turn ideas into projects that benefit communities across McPherson County.
One example of that work came when the group identified a need for additional mental health support within the McPherson County Jail. By connecting community partners and sharing perspectives, the coalition helped shine a light on ways to better support both individuals in custody and the correctional officers who serve them every day.
The Well Core Group exists because its members share a common goal, making McPherson County an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. Whether the conversation centers on mental health, food access, childcare, or another community need, the focus remains on finding practical solutions that will have a lasting impact.
For the McPherson County Community Foundation, that’s where lasting change begins. The Foundation doesn’t just invest in projects. It invests in the relationships and partnerships that make those projects possible. As ideas become collaborations and collaborations grow into action, the Well Core Group continues to help shape a healthier, stronger future for McPherson County and the generations to come.