Social Innovation Laboratory

08/07/2026

08/03/2026

"Community is not a place. It's a practice."

This is the heartbeat behind everything Social Innovation Lab does — showing up consistently, building bridges, and making sure the organizations doing the work on the ground have what they need to keep going.

We're proud to practice community every single day in Wichita.

07/31/2026

Community progress happens through partnership.

Through the support of Smithfield Foods, Social Innovation Lab is expanding access to fresh food, nutrition education, and community-centered programming right here in Wichita. This collaboration allows us to strengthen our roots and ensure that resources reach the families who need them most.

We are grateful for partners who share our commitment to building a more resilient, well-nourished community.

07/29/2026

"Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."

This is why Social Innovation Lab exists — to connect, support, and amplify the organizations already doing the hard work in our community. No one should have to carry this alone.

Wichita is stronger when we move together.

07/27/2026

Food access isn't just about meals, it's about dignity, consistency, and showing up for the next generation.

That Pop-Up Restaurant has been doing exactly that this summer. Week after week, our sites across Wichita are open and ready to serve youth in our community, free of charge.

🍽️ Free for children and youth. Adults accompanying children may have fees applied.

This week's active locations:

📍 Urban Prep Academy - North | 2821 E 24th N
Breakfast: 8:30–9:30am | Lunch: 12–1pm | Mon–Fri

📍 Urban Prep Academy - South | 3310 E Pawnee
Breakfast: 9–9:30am | Lunch: 12–1pm | Mon–Thur

📍 Equity Initiative, Inc. | 1751 N Ash
Dinner: 6:30–8pm | Mon & Wed

Note: The Center and First Church of God In Christ have concluded their summer meal service. We're grateful for their partnership this season.

Share this with a family who could use it. 🙏

07/24/2026

Community work is always better when it's rooted in the ground, literally.

A big thank you to Common Ground Producers and Growers for the incredible work they're doing to build a more food-secure and economically empowered Wichita. Their commitment to local producers and community growers aligns directly with what we believe: that sustainable communities are built from the inside out.

Proud to be in partnership with organizations like this. When we invest in local, everyone benefits.

07/20/2026

We don't do this work alone, and we're grateful for partners who believe in what's possible when communities are truly supported.

Shoutout to Kansas Health Foundation for their commitment to building healthier, more equitable communities across Kansas. Their investment in community-led work makes a real difference — and we're proud to be aligned with that mission here in Wichita.

When organizations show up for each other, the whole community wins.

07/19/2026

📢 We're growing our team and we're looking for someone who believes that relationships can change lives.

Family Promise of Greater Wichita is hiring a Family Housing Navigator, a brand-new role designed to help move our community closer to our shared goal of ending family homelessness.

This position will serve Family Promise and our community partners through the Coalition to End Homelessness in Sedgwick County, working collaboratively with partners to help families with children navigate barriers to housing and connect to the resources they need to thrive.

If you're someone who...
💛 Loves building relationships
🤝 Enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges
🏡 Believes every family deserves a safe and stable place to call home
✨ Wants to meet families where they are and help them move forward
..this might be the opportunity you've been looking for.

This role is all about collaboration, creativity, and walking alongside families while working with partners across our community to make housing more accessible and support more coordinated.

📍Learn more and apply today:

https://familypromisewichita.org/hiring (please note that this link might not work directly from your Facebook mobile app due to a bot filter verification on Indeed)

Not looking for a new position yourself? We'd be so grateful if you'd share this post to help us find the right person. The next great member of our team may be someone in your network.

Together, we're building a community where every child has a safe place to call home. 💛

07/19/2026

Calling all nonprofit professionals!

The PPMC is proud to support our partners at the Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute as they host the 2026 Wichita Nonprofit Summit. Join nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, volunteers, funders, and community partners for a day dedicated to building connections and strengthening the organizations that make our communities thrive.

📅 Monday, August 17, 2026
📍 Carl G. Brewer Community Center

🔗 Register today and learn more: communityengagementinstitute.org/wichitanonprofitsummit/