Healthier Lyon County

04/14/2026

Today is day one of the 2026 Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Spring Learning Session in Topeka, Kansas!

Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for the opportunity to connect with and learn from Kansans across the state working to make Kansas a healthier place to live.

04/08/2026

Last week, a few of our Healthier Lyon County Coalition members had the chance to attend the 2026 Kansas Governor’s Public Health Conference!

Our very own Community Food and Housing Coordinator, Jessica Reth, spoke during a panel on our progress addressing rural food insecurity through the Kansas Food Action Network’s Food Secure Communities Initiative.

The theme this year was “One Kansas. One Health.” We are so grateful for the opportunity to engage and learn from folks working to improve public health for all Kansans! Slide to the end to see a very special guest at the conference 💚

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

03/27/2026

Our Pathways Coordinator, Deon Morrow, works on five pathways to improving health in our community through the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Grant. Keep reading to learn more about the Health in All Policies Pathway.

Health is shaped by more than healthcare: it’s shaped by policy.
The Health in All Policies Pathway recognizes that decisions made in areas like transportation, housing, education, and economic development all impact community health. By considering health in every policy decision, we can create environments where everyone has the opportunity to live well.

Through this pathway, we are working alongside local governments, organizations, and community partners to embed health equity and well-being into decision-making processes across sectors.

We are grateful for our collaborators and for the support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, whose investment supports healthier systems and stronger communities.

Together, we are shaping policies that support health for all.

03/19/2026

Laundry Love is today! Share this post with someone who may benefit from this amazing service to our community.

03/11/2026

Join us tomorrow, March 12 at 10:30 AM for our informal monthly meeting on Zoom!

We’re excited to welcome Jessica Kejr, Nutrition Access Specialist with the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, who will be sharing insights during our time together.

We hope you can join us! Message us or email Jessica@uwfh.org for a Zoom link to join.

03/09/2026

Looking for a way to improve your memory? Join Family and Community Wellness Educator, Melody Garcia, on March 11th at 10am for a WITS Workout at the Emporia Senior Center!

This is such a great activity! Come join us!

03/09/2026

United Way of the Flint Hills & Kansas WorkforceONE are hosting an Emporia Job & Resource Fair on March 25th from 11am to 2pm at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building!

03/09/2026

Looking for a job in the state of Kansas? Check out this virtual state-wide job fair opportunity!

Did you miss February's Virtual Job Fair? Don't fret - we've already got another one on the books! Better yet - March's hiring event lasts all weekend long. Log on any time Friday, March 27th through Sunday, March 29th to browse openings with some of Kansas's top employers! Your dream job could be just a few clicks away. Pre-register today at bit.ly/KS-MAR-2026-JF

03/06/2026

Curious what a "Day in the Life" looks like for our Community Food and Housing Coordinator Jessica Reth? Watch this video to follow her around at the Kansas Food Action Network's Advocacy Day in Topeka, Kansas!

03/04/2026

Stop by RCIL (Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc.) from 1pm to 3pm today for their resource event!

Reminder for our resource event today at the Emporia office! Stop in for snacks, drinks, and door prizes as you meet staff from RCIL and Maximus!

12/09/2025

Check out some photos from Community Food and Housing Coordinator Jessica Reth’s trip to the Kansas Housing Advocacy Network’s (KHAN) Advocacy Academy at Habitat for Humanity in Wichita, Kansas.

This free two-day workshop was conducted to provide participants with the knowledge and skills to build relationship-based advocacy with decision-makers on homelessness and housing needs. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with their lawmakers next year during the 2026 Kansas legislative session.

To learn more about the Kansas Housing Advocacy Network, visit kshomeless.com/khan/

12/03/2025

Community Food and Housing Coordinator Jessica Reth attended the Kansas Food Action Network’s Annual Convening in Manhattan, Kansas.

While speaking on recent work of the Healthier Lyon County Coalition, Jessica gained insights from a variety of food system experts. As food policy councils and coalitions gathered together in a shared space, we generated new ideas and dreamed big on longterm approaches for reducing hunger and improving nutrition in Kansas. It was a heartwarming and inspiring experience as we reflected on the past work of our state and imagined a sustainable future moving forward together.

Healthier Lyon County is so thankful and proud to be a part of the Kansas Food Action Network, and we look forward to more opportunities to connect again in the near future!