May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Each May, communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, a reminder that individual well-being is essential to strong, healthy communities.
At UCS, we believe that the work of building thriving communities begins with caring for the people doing the work. Over the past six months, our team has intentionally prioritized wellness, connection, and self-care through the support of a Team Wellness Grant from the REACH Healthcare Foundation. This investment has allowed us to create meaningful opportunities for staff to connect and recharge.
Team members have shared meals together, received UCS-branded swag, collaborated on a creative painting project, and selected personalized self-care gifts tailored to their individual interests and needs.
The grant has provided more than just activities—it has created space for reflection, relationship-building, and renewal. As we continue our work to address complex community challenges, we are reminded that sustaining our impact requires investing in the well-being of those who serve.
We are deeply grateful to REACH Healthcare Foundation for recognizing that healthy organizations are built by healthy people. Their support has strengthened our team and reinforced our commitment to fostering a workplace culture where wellness, connection, and purpose can thrive.
UCS Named United Way Impact 100 Partner for 2026
Exciting news! UCS has been named a United Way of Greater Kansas
City Impact 100 Partner for 2026.
The Impact 100 is a group of health and human service organizations
within United Way’s seven-county service region, working to make a meaningful difference in addressing the challenges our community faces
today.
This award comes with unrestricted funding and opportunities to further
elevate our mission through United Way. We’re grateful to continue this
impactful partnership and proud to stand alongside so many incredible
nonprofits working to strengthen our communities.
2026 Johnson County Human Service Safety Net Data Released
A strong Human Service Safety Net is essential to a healthy, thriving Johnson County. While our community enjoys many strengths, thousands of residents continue to face significant challenges related to housing affordability, food security, health care access, and financial stability.
The 2026 Johnson County Human Service Safety Net Fact Sheet paints a clear picture of both community need and community impact. More than 40,000 Johnson County residents live below the federal poverty level, 56,400 residents experience food insecurity, and nearly one in five renters spend more than half of their income on housing. At the same time, thousands of families, children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities rely on a network of programs and services that help them remain stable, healthy, and connected to opportunity.
From housing assistance and nutrition programs to mental health services, child care supports, aging services, and health coverage, the Human Service Safety Net helps ensure that residents can weather difficult circumstances and continue contributing to our community. In 2025 alone, more than 18,000 individuals received behavioral health services through Johnson County Mental Health Center, 8,888 households received support through the Area Agency on Aging, and housing assistance programs provided more than $1.5 million each month to help families remain housed.
These programs do more than meet immediate needs—they create pathways to stability, strengthen economic opportunity, and improve quality of life for everyone. The Human Service Safety Net Data Sheet helps illustrate why continued investment in these services is critical to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Johnson County.
UCS Team, Partners, and Board Members Volunteer with Human Service Fund Grantee, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Earlier this month, UCS staff, board members, and community partners joined Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas for their monthly mobile food distribution in Johnson County. What began as a rainy morning gave way to sunshine and clear skies as volunteers worked together to serve 70 local families.
We are grateful to the Catholic Charities team for welcoming us and for their ongoing commitment to meeting critical needs throughout our community. As a Human Service Fund grant recipient, Catholic Charities delivers more than 25 programs and services designed to support individuals and families facing challenges, helping them achieve greater stability, self-sufficiency, and hope for the future.
Opportunities like these are a powerful reminder of the impact that can be achieved when organizations, volunteers, and community members come together in service. We are proud to partner with Catholic Charities and other organizations working every day to strengthen Johnson County and improve the lives of our neighbors.
Substance Abuse Fund (SUF) Grantee Spotlight, Artist Helping the Homeless
Art has the power to heal, connect, and restore dignity.
Recently, Artists Helping The Homeless (AHH) partnered with the Johnson County Library – KS for the “Be The Change” exhibition — an experience that became so much bigger than an art show.
AHH is often called “the safety net for the safety net” because of how it removes barriers and fills critical gaps for individuals experiencing homelessness and the agencies serving them. Through this exhibition, residents had the opportunity to publicly display and sell their artwork — many for the very first time. One artist shared that growing up, he never even had his drawings placed on the refrigerator. Seeing his work displayed and admired in a gallery setting was deeply emotional and affirming.
The exhibit raised over $2,000 through artwork sales and donations, but the greatest impact was helping residents feel seen for their talent, creativity, humanity, and potential, not their circumstances.
Because of the incredible community response, AHH is already planning another exhibition this fall. The 2026 Substance Use Continuum of Care Fund grant cycle is now open! If your organization is interested in applying or learning more, contact Erika García Reyes at erikag@ucsjoco.org or visit our website.