The American Advocacy Initiative

05/14/2026

*ARE YOU READY TO RAFFLE?*

We’re raising funds for the new Domestic Violence Safe House, and you could win a brand new 40-inch TV!

Our goal is $10,000. $4,000 will secure a year-long lease, and the remaining funds will go toward repairs and essential supplies for those seeking safety and support.

Every ticket purchased helps provide a safe place for individuals and families escaping domestic violence right here in our community.

Tickets:
$2 each

or

10 for $15

📅 Winner announced May 31st!
Message us for information. The tickets will be recorded digitally!

05/05/2026

Hi neighbors! It’s lawn mowing season! We want to continue on this year helping with lawn care for those who can’t afford it or are disabled. In order to do this, we need the equipment! If anyone has a couple of push mowers, w**d eaters, and/or even a riding mower they are looking to sell, please reach out!

04/30/2026

In small communities like ours, partnership and collaboration mean everything. When everyone pitches in, amazing things happen.
Thank you to Mello's transit LLC, Crystal Burchell, and Veronica Weir for always being a listening ear and a saving grace for those who reach out. Our mission could not be pursued and carried out without you ❤

04/28/2026

Friends, we committed to mowing a couple of lawns for Love Labette Week, but unfortunately when firing the mower up, we realized it was broken. We want to follow through on our commitment, but to do so we need some help! Does anyone have a mower or two they'd be willing to let us borrow for a couple of hours? Or if you would like to volunteer to do so, that is perfect too.

04/27/2026

As summer approaches, we want to make sure kids in our community have something to look forward to. Positive outlets that keep them active, engaged, and safe. Volunteering may not always sound exciting at first, but it can be both meaningful and genuinely fun.

We’re inviting youth to get involved in creating volunteer events, learning about advocacy, and identifying real needs in their community, then being part of the solution.

Young people thrive when they’re given the tools and the opportunity to bring their ideas to life (with guidance, of course). As adults, it’s our responsibility to help build those leadership skills and show them how to use their voice in a productive, impactful way.

Parents—what ideas have your kids shared with you? What kinds of activities do you think would help them build leadership skills?

04/20/2026

There is a city commission meeting tonight at 6pm. You can also watch the livestream online if you cannot make it in person! :)

City of Parsons, Kansas is a member of Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

04/17/2026

Recently, I spoke with the commission about concerns regarding how juvenile cases are handled in Labette County, both for foster youth and non-foster youth. I wasn’t able to finish my remarks, but Jim Zaleski raised a related point about the burden Labette County, and Southeast Kansas as a whole, carries in supporting foster youth. Our region serves a high number of these children, but the state often fails to provide the resources necessary for communities to adequately support them.

It’s difficult to see foster care described as burdensome. They need support and stability, but the responsibility cannot fall solely on local communities. The state must do its part.

My primary concern, and those I have spoken with, is how juvenile justice cases are handled. We are seeing an increase in serious offenses among juveniles, yet consequences often do not reflect the severity or frequency of those offenses. In many cases, repeated diversions are granted even when patterns of behavior suggest stronger intervention is needed. This can reinforce harmful behavior rather than deter it. Then it becomes burdensome for law enforcement, which can lead to proper actions not being taken, because why do it when you know higher ups will not reinforce things.

In conversations with both community members and a county commissioner, I learned that the county attorney’s office maintains a diversion fund, which receives money from these agreements. At this time, I don't know how those funds are being used to benefit the community, but I am going to ask this question at an upcoming meeting, as transparency in the use of public funds is essential to maintaining trust and accountability, and the answer may bring more understanding to the community.

Participation in this program is a privilege, not a right, and the final decision to accept you into the program rests solely with the Labette County Attorney’s Office. To be considered for participation in the program, you must submit an application and the application fee of $15.00 in the form o...

04/10/2026

KANSAS (KOAM) -- Governor Laura Kelly signed Benny's Bill into law on Thursday.

04/10/2026

Thank you to those who attended the All Ward Meeting earlier this week. Unfortunately, we weren't able to discuss much as attendance was low. However, we did have a small group of people who are constantly showing dedication to their community. Remember, there is never "too few" people to spark a change.

Small towns often struggle to gain citizen engagement, which can cause once-thriving communities, to fail, and cause citizens to leave their homes. On the other side of that, all it takes is a few people to come together to make a change, and we are so thankful for those who do!

We want to plan ahead for the summer to organize activities, routine community clean-ups, and to create community relationship-building events. To do this, we need citizen participation. We, along with all other organizations and community leaders, need to know what the public wants to see, do, and experience. What you all think the start of building a better community should look like. Everyone can have a hand in doing something, even the tiniest things, to help our community. Parsons has amazing qualities, but there's always something more that can be achieved!