The Center of Hope Ministry

06/13/2026

If you have egg cartons, toss them to our friends at the Flint Hills Breadbasket instead of in the trash.

06/13/2026

Good morning! We are set up in Downtown Manhattan, KS at the Downtown Farmers Market of Manhattan. Come out and say hello.

06/11/2026

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ray.
Ray was a guest often at the warming shelter. He was a delight to talk to. He kept to himself and didn’t want to be a bother to anyone. As a US Military veteran he dealt with trauma and demons that haunted him constantly. His struggles were evident, but there were times where seeds of hope would shine through and periods of him making positive progress.
Rest easy, Ray. Your struggles on earth are over.

Thank you, Be Able Community for sharing and ensuring our neighbors, friends, and guests aren’t forgotten. 🫶🏻

*** Update included with gofundme for funeral costs. Link in comments. We were saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Ray.

An Army veteran, Ray was known by many at Be Able and made an impression wherever he went. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word... always respectful, always asking about others, and always looking for a way to make someone smile.

Ray had a distinct laugh, a sharp sense of style, and some of the bluest eyes you'll ever see. He was well-traveled, easy-going, and had a gift for making people feel seen and valued.

Most of all, Ray cared about people.

He will be missed by staff, volunteers, and the many friends he made along the way.

Rest easy, Ray.

05/21/2026

Recently at the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition Summit, our Chairman, Jeremy Harmon, was invited to this podcast.
We are grateful for the example and work that is being done across the state and the interest that McPherson Housing Coalition, Inc. had in our mission.
If you have 12 minutes to spare, you can forward to the 25 minute mark to listen to the interview.
Want to know about our story from humble beginnings to making significant impacts?
Shoutouts to the amazing community we have and organizations that are part of the story.
None of us can do it alone, and no one can do it all.
Thank you:
Greater Manhattan Community Foundation
Be Able Community
Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc.
Manhattan KS Housing Authority
Morningstar Inc.
The Salvation Army in Manhattan, KS
Vineyard Community Church
First Congregational UCC Manhattan KS
City of Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan Fire Department
RileyCountyPD
Riley County EMS
Flint Hills Volunteer Center
Flint Hills Wellness Coalition
…and so many more that have come alongside us these last couple of seasons.
We are excited for what the future holds for The Center of Hope Ministry.

In Part 3 of our special 4-part Summit Series, we continue sharing conversations recorded live at the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing in Manhattan, Kansas. This episode includes conversations with Beth Waddell from My Father’s House, Randy McCoy, formerly with the U.S. Department of...

05/21/2026

Knowledge, understanding, and awareness coupled with compassion, and meeting individuals where they are is essential to helping those in need.

Certain types of trauma can significantly contribute to housing instability. Here are some specific examples:

Domestic Violence**
- Survivors often flee unsafe environments, leading to sudden displacement and difficulty securing safe housing.

Childhood Abuse**
- Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse can disrupt family dynamics and lead to homelessness or unstable living situations.

Natural Disasters**
- Events like tornadoes , floods, or wildfires can destroy homes and displace individuals and families, leading to long-term housing challenges.

Community Violence**
- Exposure to violence in neighborhoods can create a sense of insecurity, leading individuals to move frequently or become homeless.

Military Combat**
- Veterans may experience PTSD or other mental health issues after combat, impacting their ability to maintain stable housing.

Loss of a Loved One**
- Grief from losing a family member or close friend can lead to emotional distress, making it difficult to focus on housing stability.

Neglect**
- Experiencing neglect in childhood can lead to issues with trust and relationships, complicating efforts to secure stable housing as an adult.

Substance Abuse Trauma**
- Trauma related to addiction—whether personal or family —can lead to cycles of instability and housing insecurity.

Recognizing these specific traumas is essential for providing targeted support and resources to those affected.

04/25/2026

Shoutout to Within Reason with Mike Matson for bringing added awareness to homelessness by inviting Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition leaders onto his show.

Community members from all walks of life can join together to significantly reduce individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Organizations and agencies working together, doing their part well, to care for the individual or family, is what has proven to “move the needle” here in Manhattan, Riley County; and the Flint Hills Region.

The Center of Hope Ministry is part of that Continuum of Care along with many other amazing organizations that are working to change and save lives of the vulnerable and marginalized.

Together we can!

Across Kansas, homelessness often unfolds not so much as a single dramatic event, but a quiet, downward slide. The Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition is hosting a summit today in Manhattan.

YouTube: youtube.com/
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/within-reason-with-mike-matson/id1777821215
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3QqEf7rT0SVcRasmEKE9JS?si=6pk-XVlkTdWoYePFlqFGMg
News Radio KMAN: 1350kman.com/within-reason-with-mike-matson

04/25/2026

We are excited to celebrate and recognize our volunteers today.
All are welcome, if you would like to come out to celebrate them with us.
Our friends from RCPD will be cooking burgers and dogs for us.
Looks like the weather is going to cooperate too.

04/24/2026

💜❤️ It’s National Volunteer Week! ❤️💜🫶🏻

We could not do what we do and be part of having an impact in the community without our amazing volunteers.

To cap off this volunteer week, we are excited to celebrate and recognize our volunteers tomorrow. Anyone is welcome to attend. 5:30pm at Keats Park.

We are grateful for the partnership with Flint Hills Volunteer Center in making that happen.

💙💛 It’s National Volunteer Week! 💙💛

Volunteering is about more than giving your time, it’s about building connections, strengthening our community, and showing up for one another.

At the Flint Hills Volunteer Center, our volunteers are making a difference every single day bringing kindness, compassion, and support to those who need it most.

No matter your background or availability, you have something valuable to give and we would love to help you find the right fit.

✨ Ready to get involved? Join us today:
https://flinthillsvolunteercenter.com/get-involved/ -application

Be part of something meaningful. Be part of the difference. 💙💛

04/24/2026

Day 2 of the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition Summit on Homelessness and Housing. Opening message was from HUD Advisor Crockett Worthington.

Keynote: Built for Zero update

We can do it! Together.

04/24/2026

Thank you hardly captures the emotion of gratitude we have for the support from this community. On top of this we will receive $7500 in match for our endowment fund.
We are on mission to save lives and be a space for those who have lost hope.
Together, this community can ensure no one has to choose outside or an unsafe space to get a good nights sleep. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻