United Way of Ellis County

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Hays, KS
United Way of Ellis County

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Serving Ellis County, KS since 1953.

We support local agencies focused on Health, Youth, and Financial Security. 100% of donations stay right here in Ellis County to help our neighbors thrive and build a stronger community.

10/30/2026

👻 Something SPOOKTACULAR is happening downtown! 🎃🍬

We’ve had some pretty adorable ghosts, goblins, superheroes, and princesses stopping by United Way today!

We love being part of the downtown trick-or-treating fun and seeing all those smiling faces (and creative costumes)!

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween! 🧡🖤

10/30/2026

Reality U is next week, and we have a few more volunteer spots available. Come join the fun!

See what Reality U volunteers do: https://youtu.be/v8SbfAcaAsI?si=6QNp2rRVvV_rN94U

Reality U gives local students a hands-on look at real-world finances as they navigate housing, childcare, transportation, and all the decisions that come with managing a monthly budget.

And it takes a community to make it happen.

Volunteers guide students through the experience at each bill-pay station. No financial expertise required! We’ll give you everything you need.

📅 November 4 @ HHS, November 5 @ TMP
⏰ Multiple volunteer sessions available
🙌 Come for one session or join us for more!

👉 Sign up to volunteer: www.liveunited.us/events

Special thanks to our 2026 Reality U sponsors!

Premier Sponsors:
✨ Midwest Energy
✨ Nex-Tech Wireless
✨ Walmart

Table Sponsors:
Auto World
Bank of Hays
Commerce Bank
Farm Bureau Financial Services Danny Dinkel & Associates
First Kansas Bank
Golden Plains Credit Union
Sunflower Bank
Women Who Lead See less

10/29/2026

Sometimes life changes faster than a paycheck can keep up. 💛

An unexpected expense. A medical diagnosis. A financial setback that wasn't part of the plan.

Knowing where to turn can make all the difference.
Across Ellis County, your United Way investment helps strengthen several ways our community responds:

💙 Local Assistance, provided by First Call for Help, helping individuals and families navigate financial hardships.
❤️ Cancer Financial Assistance, provided by the Cancer Council of Ellis County, helping ease the financial burdens associated with cancer.
☎️ 211, a United Way helpline service connecting people with information and referrals to community resources.

Different challenges require different solutions. That's why a connected Network of Support matters.

One gift to United Way helps strengthen multiple pathways to assistance, right here at home.

👉 Invest in our community's network of support. Give to our annual campaign at liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/28/2026

Every child deserves someone in their corner. 💛

Sometimes that means a mentor who shows up, listens, and believes in them. Sometimes it means starting the school year with the supplies they need to feel prepared and confident.

Through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentoring Program, young people build meaningful relationships with caring adult mentors.

Through Backpacks for Kids, provided by First Call for Help, children receive school supplies to help them start the year ready to learn.

Two very different programs. One important investment in the future of Ellis County.

And they're just two examples of how your gift to United Way strengthens opportunities for local kids and the United Way of Ellis County Network of Support.

The future of our community is worth investing in.

👉 Give to our annual campaign at liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/27/2026

We had some special visitors yesterday!

It was an honor to welcome Kansas Health Institute to Ellis County as we hosted a pilot ALICE Data Walk with the FHSU Leadership Programs 310 class!

Together, we explored local data, sparked meaningful conversations, and took an important step toward better understanding the challenges and opportunities facing working households in our community.

A huge THANK YOU to the Kansas Health Institute for sharing their expertise and to these FHSU students for bringing their curiosity, perspectives, and energy to the conversation!

Understanding our community is the first step toward building a stronger one.

United Is The Way™

10/23/2026

Some of the most important investments we make in our community begin at home. 💛

The early years are full of learning, discovery, and growth. They're also a time when the right support can make a lasting difference for children and families.

Two programs in the United Way Network of Support help strengthen those foundations:

🌱 Infant/Toddler Early Intervention, through DSNWK Kid-Link, supports young children experiencing developmental delays and their families.

❤️ Parenting with Conscious Discipline, through Parents and Children Together (PACT), helps parents and caregivers build skills that strengthen relationships and support healthy development.

One focuses on early developmental support. The other equips families with tools to build connection and confidence.

Together, they show how investing in children also means investing in the people who care for them.

Strong families help build a stronger Ellis County.

👉 Your investment in United Way helps strengthen these opportunities.

Give to our annual campaign at liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/22/2026

Safety, Advocacy, and Hope.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard. 💙

For some of our neighbors, that means having someone to advocate for their needs. For others, it means finding safety, accessing specialized services, or having support during an incredibly difficult time.

Three United Way partner agencies contribute to this important work:

💛 Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center provides specialized services and support for children and families affected by abuse.

❤️ CASA of the High Plains, Hays, KS provides trained advocates who speak up for the best interests of children involved in the court system.

💙 Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services provides safe shelter and support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Each organization serves a distinct purpose. Each helps create pathways toward greater safety, stability, and well-being.

And each is part of the larger Network of Support your United Way investment helps strengthen.

👉 Be part of that network. Donate to our annual campaign at liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/21/2026

Mental health is community health. 💚

It affects how we connect with others, navigate challenges, maintain relationships, and participate in everyday life.

And access to mental health services is an important part of a healthy, resilient community. That's why High Plains Mental Health Center is part of the United Way Network of Support.

Through our investment in local mental health services, we're helping strengthen access to care and support for people across Ellis County.

Because building a stronger community means investing in the well-being of the people who call it home.

Your gift to United Way helps make that investment possible.

💛 Join our annual campaign and give today at liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/20/2026

Opportunity to Work. Support to Succeed.

Getting a job is one thing. Having the support to succeed is another. 💙

For some of our neighbors, the path to employment includes barriers that aren't always visible. That's where two United Way-funded programs are making an impact in financial security initiatives.

🚗 Transportation to Work Vouchers, through the Western Kansas Association on the Concerns of the Disabled (WKACD), help address transportation barriers to employment.
🤝 Job Follow-Along, through Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), provides ongoing employment support for individuals with disabilities.

Different services. One shared goal: helping people access employment opportunities and build greater financial independence.

When you invest in United Way, you're investing in opportunity, stability, and a stronger Ellis County workforce.

💛 Make your annual campaign gift today: liveunited.us/donate

United Is The Way™

10/19/2026

We had a great time with some talented middle school students as they delivered their United Way poster contest creations to a few downtown businesses!

Their artwork is now on display, helping us spread the word about United Way and the power of community!

A big THANK YOU to these young artists and the local businesses giving their creativity a place to shine!

Address

1200 Main Street Suite 102
Hays, KS
67601

Website

http://www.liveunited.us/

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