Manhattan Area Resettlement Team - MART

06/03/2026

Help MART spread the word!

We have spots left, but we know they will go fast!

Have you been meaning to sign up but keep forgetting to do so?

This is your moment.

Donate here to secure your spot:
https://givebutter.com/mart-tasting-class-xrdiur

05/29/2026

We are still beaming with pride at MART...

Three (3) clients graduated from Manhattan High School this May!

Your hard work, perseverance, and achievements inspire our entire community.

Today we celebrate your accomplishments, the dedication that brought you to this moment, and all this milestone entails for you.

Congratulations to the Manhattan High School Class of 2026!

05/28/2026

Supporting MART families through food access: Flint Hills Breadbasket

For many newly arrived families, one of the first challenges of adjusting to life in a new community is learning where and how to access everyday essentials. Reliable access to food, familiar ingredients, and welcoming community spaces can make an enormous difference during this transition. MART is thankful for the role the Flint Hills Breadbasket has played in helping meet those needs for the families we serve.

Access to familiar and culturally relevant food can play an important role in helping families feel more settled in a new community. The Flint Hills Breadbasket has made an effort to expand the diversity of foods available through the pantry, recognizing food is deeply connected to culture, comfort, and familiarity. For many MART clients, being able to access ingredients and foods which reflect their traditions and daily lives matters greatly as they begin rebuilding food routines in a new environment.

Over time, Flint Hills Breadbasket has become a trusted and frequently used resource for many of the families MART serves. Our organizations have collaborated in practical ways to help improve communication and accessibility for clients navigating the pantry system for the first time. MART has also helped serve in an intermediary role for clients, supporting clearer communication, and helping families navigate resources available through the Bread Basket.

What stands out most is the willingness of Flint Hills Breadbasket to listen, adapt, and continue finding ways to better serve the broader community. Their openness to feedback and commitment to accessibility has strengthened the experience for many families arriving in the Manhattan area.

MART is grateful for community partners like Flint Hills Breadbasket whose work helps ensure families have access not only to food, but also to spaces where they feel welcomed and supported as members of the community.

05/27/2026

Join MART for an Afghan Culinary Experience!

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026 from 5:00 P.M.- 7:00 P.M., join MART & Peacefull Pantry (a ministry of Peace Lutheran Church) for a one-of-a-kind, laid-back culinary experience as you explore the rich and vibrant world of Afghan cuisine. Immerse yourself in the flavors, aromatic spices, and cultural traditions behind authentic dishes from Afghanistan in this limited-capacity tasting class designed to expand your palate and introduce you to something new.

Suggested donation for attending this event is $25. Suggested donations help cover the cost of ingredients, support future cultural and educational programming, and further MART’s mission of building community, connection, and understanding through shared experiences.

Sign up for the event on GiveButter: https://givebutter.com/mart-tasting-class-xrdiur or by scanning the flyer QR code.

The event will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 2500 Kimball Avenue in collaboration with the Peacefull Pantry. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve your seat and don’t miss this opportunity to experience something truly special while supporting MART’s mission.

Please sign up on or before June 5, 2026 by 5PM to secure your spot.

05/26/2026

MART recently partnered with Kansas Office for Refugees (KSOR) to host an Employability Fair at the Manhattan Public Library this week which focused on connecting clients with employment resources and strengthening employer relationships across the local and state community. Employment is required for refugees entering the United States, and this new initiative will provide a vital bridge for our clients and local employers.

The event provided an insightful experience for attendees as they learned more about workforce opportunities, employability resources, and pathways toward long-term stability and career growth. Clients were excited for the opportunity to explore available options, ask questions, and engage directly with community partners and employers.

We would also like to thank Manko for acting as the participating employer and sharing valuable information with attendees.

Events like this are an important reminder of how strong partnerships can help create meaningful opportunities for individuals and families as they build new lives in our community.

05/25/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Humanists of Topeka Inc. for their generous donation of meal and hygiene kits to MART as a part of the American Empathy Project and for taking the initiative to reach out to us in support of our clients—all the way down the highway in Topeka!

Humanists of Topeka is dedicated to building a welcoming secular community through education, advocacy, fellowship, and service—promoting reason, compassion, and ethical living. Their diligent outreach to MART and support help ensure that their neighbors have access to essential items and are reminded that they are valued and cared for.

We are grateful for their neighborliness and for all those who continue to support refugee and immigrant communities across Kansas.

05/21/2026

Celebrating Partnership: Manhattan Mennonite Church and MART

At Manhattan Mennonite Church, welcoming refugees is something they actively live out.

Over the years, their congregation has walked alongside MART and the families we serve in meaningful, hands-on ways. They opened their kitchen for community events, where MART families prepared and cooked food together for a block party—creating a space not just for meals, but for connection and celebration.

They’ve also helped newcomers to Manhattan access transportation by finding and repairing bicycles as a team of dedicated congregants.

Their generosity includes ongoing financial donations, helping sustain programs, and respond to the evolving needs of refugee and immigrant families in our community.

This spirit of partnership was highlighted during a congregational update featuring Ana Mendonça, former MART Executive Director, and now a continued advocate and volunteer. Ana shared updates about MART’s programs and the real challenges refugee families face, including uncertainty around government policies and the complexities of building a new life. Her voice continues to connect her local congregation and the broader community to the ongoing work and needs at MART.

What makes this partnership so special is its consistency. It’s relational–it’s showing up, meeting folks where they are at, and being present.

💛 Because of Manhattan Mennonite Church, families are truly welcomed.

This collaboration reminds us welcoming our neighbors lasts more than a single moment—it’s an ongoing commitment we live out together.



Pictured: Manhattan Mennonite Church building with Ana Mendonça and Pastor Melissa Atchinson on the steps.

05/08/2026

Have you checked out the "Think Local" story about MART?

“We coordinate a wide range of services including safe housing, basic furnishings, clothing and access to healthcare, education, social services and employment resources,” Watkins said. “Our goal is not only to meet immediate needs but also to help individuals and families build stable, independent lives and feel a strong sense of belonging in the community.”

Manhattan is a town structured and centered on community. The Manhattan Area Resettlement Team (MART), founded in 2021, began as a beacon of hope for Afghan refugees seeking a safe space in Manhattan. The MART’s mission is to resettle refugees successfully in the community. Christian Watkins is th...

05/05/2026

Check out this story on WIBW 12 which features volunteers in Topeka, KS making hygiene kits for MART clients, and other local organizations:

“What we have been gathering from our community partners—meal and hygiene kits are always appreciated, so we have targeted specific groups, like Braided Haven, Doorstep, YWCA-Center for Safety and Empowerment, this particular go around. As well as MART, the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team,” said Sean Davis, president and founder of Humanists of Topeka. “We wanted to make sure that people get what they need and help sustain them through a crisis situation.”

The nonprofit and volunteers met up at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library on Saturday, May 2, to assemble hygiene and meal kits for people facing economic hardships.

05/05/2026

Love our feature in the Kansas State Collegian!

Think Local, SUPPORT Local!
Manhattan Area Resettlement Team - MART: volunteer or donate today!
https://www.allieswelcome.com/