Lawrence Community Shelter

08/20/2026

Help Us Reach 150!

We’re on a mission to get 150 runners and walkers to the starting line for the Light the Way 5K!

We need YOUR help to make it happen!

Whether you run, walk, bring your family, or gather a team of friends and coworkers, your participation helps us shine a light on homelessness in our community and support the individuals served by Lawrence Community Shelter.

📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM
📍 Rock Chalk Park Trails

Register today and help us reach 150 participants! https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130688/light-the-way-5k-fun-run

And if you can’t participate, you can still help! Please share this post on your social media and tag your friends, family, coworkers, and running buddies. Every share helps us spread the word!

Let’s fill the starting line and Light the Way together! 💙

08/12/2026

The countdown is on! We are getting closer to the Light the Way 5K Fun Run!

Join us on Saturday, September 19th at 8:00 AM at Rock Chalk Park for a morning of community, hope, and support for the Lawrence Community Shelter.

Whether you choose to run, walk, or become a sponsor, your support helps us continue providing shelter, resources, and pathways toward stability for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

✨ Ready to be part of Light the Way?
🏃 Sign up to run/walk today!
🤝 Become a sponsor and help make this event shine!

Registration and sponsorship information can be found on our website at: lawrenceshelter.org/lighttheway

Register here: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130688/light-the-way-5k-fun-run

We can’t wait to see you there as we come together to Light the Way toward hope and a stronger community! 💙

08/07/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Tallgrass Training and Wellness for becoming a Torch Sponsor for our Light the Way 5K Fun Run!

We are incredibly grateful for their continued support of the Lawrence Community Shelter. Tallgrass Training and Wellness has consistently shown their commitment to making our community stronger, healthier, and more connected. Their dedication to health and wellness aligns perfectly with the mission of the Lawrence Community Shelter and the purpose behind our Light the Way 5K Fun Run.

Thank you for stepping up as a Torch Sponsor and helping us light the way toward hope, health, and housing for our neighbor's experiencing homelessness. Community partners like Tallgrass Training and Wellness make this event and our mission possible.

Be sure to show them some love and support a business that truly invests in our community! 💙

08/05/2026

A huge thank you to Jayhawk Gymnastics for partnering with the Lawrence Community Shelter as a sponsor of our Light the Way 5K Fun Run!

Jayhawk Gymnastics is a wonderful example of a local business that believes in building a healthier, stronger community. Their commitment to encouraging people to have fun while staying active aligns perfectly with the spirit of the Light the Way 5K.

We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and their passion for giving back to our community. Support from organizations like Jayhawk Gymnastics helps make events like this possible while shining a light on the important work happening every day at LCS.

Thank you, Jayhawk Gymnastics, for being outstanding community partners and for helping us make a difference in the lives of our neighbors. We are so grateful to have you on this journey with us! 💙

08/03/2026

Big thanks to Lilly Watermoon and everyone on our team for compiling this list!

07/31/2026

A huge thank you to the Tzu Chi USA Foundation, Kansas Office for stopping by the Lawrence Community Shelter this week with an incredibly thoughtful donation for our guests!

Their generosity included bath towels, washcloths, socks, coffee, and instant noodles. These everyday essentials make a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals we serve, providing both comfort and dignity during challenging times.

We are so grateful for organizations like the Tzu Chi Foundation that continually demonstrate compassion through action. Their commitment to caring for our community and thinking of our guests is a beautiful reminder of the impact that kindness and generosity can have.

Thank you for your unwavering support and for helping us ensure our guests have access to the essentials they need. We truly appreciate all that you do for our community! 💙

07/30/2026

Kindness comes full circle!

In 2021, JaJuan and his mom experienced homelessness after the challenges of COVID changed their lives. As a single parent caring for a child with special needs, JaJuan’s mom faced the impossible choice of balancing work and caring for her son. Through Lawrence Community Shelter they found support, stability, and a place to call home in the newly built Monarch units.

Today, JaJuan and his mom continue to share a special connection with LCS. JaJuan loves giving back by volunteering, helping serve meals, and showing appreciation for the people who once helped his family.

Recently, JaJuan asked his mom, “If you and the other workers help everyone, who helps the workers when they need help?” His thoughtful question led him to create a special gift for the LCS team - a beautiful reminder that kindness always comes full circle!

Thank you to Manda Brooke and JaJuan for sharing their story with us and being a wonderful part of the LCS team! 💙

07/27/2026

Great information to have during this extreme heat!

🥵 Extreme Heat Warning for Saturday, July 25

Dangerously hot conditions are expected across Lawrence from 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25 through 9 p.m. Sunday, July 26, with heat index values between 110° and 113°. These temperatures can quickly become life-threatening, especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning.

If you need to be outdoors:
💧 Drink water frequently—even if you don't feel thirsty.
🌳 Take breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned space.
🧢 Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, sunscreen, and a hat.
⏰ Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
👥 Check on family members, neighbors, and anyone who may be more vulnerable to the heat.
🚗 Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle.

Know the signs of heat-related illness and take action immediately if you or someone else begins experiencing dizziness, confusion, nausea, or heat exhaustion.

Need a place to cool off? These community resources are available:
City recreation facilities are open during normal business hours. Access is available with a recreation center membership, punch card or day pass.

🏠 The Community Building (115 W. 11th St.) is free to access and open:
• Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Free passes are available at the Community Building front desk.

🚌 Lawrence Transit buses are fare-free and air-conditioned. You can board at any stop and ride to cool off.

Other public buildings open during business hours may also provide relief from the heat. After public buildings close, the Lawrence Community Shelter is available for those needing an overnight place to stay.

Your safety is our priority. Please take the heat seriously, look out for one another, and do what you can to stay cool during this dangerous weather.

https://bit.ly/4fj7IlM

07/21/2026

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight 🌟

A huge THANK YOU to Stanley James Smokehouse for their incredibly generous in-kind donation of breakfast sandwiches for our Light the Way 5K Fun Run!

After crossing the finish line, a good meal is one of the best ways to refuel and recover. Thanks to Stanley James Smokehouse, our participants will be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast while celebrating an amazing morning of community, hope, and support.

We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to the Light the Way 5K Fun Run and for helping make this event even more special. Community partnerships like this make a real difference, and we're honored to have Stanley James Smokehouse as part of our mission to support the Lawrence Community Shelter.

Please join us in thanking Stanley James Smokehouse for their generosity and commitment to our community! 💙

07/17/2026

✨ Sponsor Spotlight: BHS Construction, Inc. ✨

We are beyond excited to announce that BHS Construction has become a Spark Sponsor for our inaugural Light the Way 5K Fun Run!

We had the privilege of meeting the owners of BHS Construction at a recent roundtable meeting, and their genuine passion and willingness to support our community left a lasting impression. Their commitment to making a difference and investing in the Lawrence community is truly inspiring.

We are incredibly grateful to partner with BHS Construction and thankful for their support as we come together to light the way toward hope, compassion, and permanent housing solutions. Thank you, BHS Construction, for believing in our mission and helping make this event possible! 💙