Community Builder Spotlight - Karen Kasten & the 2nd Annual SoCe Neighborfest!

Hey y’all! Just dropping in to give you some updates on the amazing work that our Community Builders Cohort continues to do throughout the year. We’ve had a couple of new additions to our group and I look forward to introducing them in the near future! Over the next year, we’ll be highlighting individual Community Builders and their respective projects! 

In the Community Builder Spotlight this month is Karen Kasten!

Hailing from our founding SoCe neighborhood, Karen has been part of the Community Builder cohort since March of 2023. Karen moved to South Broadway thirty years ago and over the past decade watched Lincoln Park become an underutilized asset to the community. Through a lens of abundance, Karen decided to focus on making the park a hub for positive activity by hosting monthly events involving local community members and businesses. She has also placed bulletin boards around the community (shout out to Hupp Hardware and Kelly’s Diner) that local folks can use to bring awareness to community events!

Karen has worked tirelessly these past couple of months to put together the 2nd Annual Neighborfest at Lincoln Park! Last year, Karen had a turnout of over 50 community members who came together to connect over free breakfast and a variety of local vendors! This year, Karen is excited to be able to offer free breakfast again to local folks while they browse vendor booths hosted by local businesses and associations. There will also be music and kid-friendly activities! She is anticipating another large community turnout from the SoCe area! Neighborfest is on May 11th from 9-11AM, stay tuned next month for pictures from the event!

We are incredibly lucky to have Karen as a part of our Community Builders cohort! Her grounding presence and genial attitude make her a joy to work with. In her free time Karen is an avid reader and enjoys making greeting cards! She also is a part of the steering committee for the Wichita Activator Network. We are so appreciative of Karen’s continued commitment to neighboring and her community! Be on the lookout next month for another update about our Community Builders!