Amy Draut 10/31/25 Amy Draut 10/31/25

Fall 2025 Community Animators

From August to October, we had a group of Wichitans dive deep into asset-based community development and the power of connecting with our neighbors. We asked each of these Community Animators to share what drew them to this work, what one of the gifts (strengths) they were bringing with them, and what they hoped to gain from participating in the Community Animator Network. Hear what they had to say, in their own words, below.

Ian Campbell 10/28/25 Ian Campbell 10/28/25

A Gathering to Remember: The Power of Connection

The third Faith-Based Animator Network cohort gathered in Wichita this September for a memorable mid-program meeting. From connecting at the newly opened Riverside Bohemian coffee shop—a perfect example of asset-based community development in action—to sharing a powerful prayer for nonviolence, the gathering reinforced why neighboring matters. Animators reflected on their Holy Listening Conversations and left with renewed commitment to building unity and care in their communities.

Amy Draut 7/25/25 Amy Draut 7/25/25

The Power of Neighboring

Our Summer Community Animator Network cohort is already halfway over and we are continuously amazed by the power of neighboring as evidenced by these women. One of these Animators held a learning conversation recently that was incredibly nervous about, but had the most amazing experience! Here's what she had to share.

Marisa Meyer 7/14/25 Marisa Meyer 7/14/25

11th CAN Cohort Wraps Up

Somehow, another twelve weeks have gone by, and just like that, another cohort has graduated. Our eleventh CAN cohort held its final gathering on Thursday, June 26, to present their asset maps and discuss the neighborhood gatherings they had hosted over the past few weeks. This group has invested a significant amount of time and effort in building relationships within their neighborhoods over the past three months.