Topeka Center of Peace and Justice is currently working to bring restorative justice practices to elementary and middle schools in our area.  We are working directly with the district attorney’s office to offer victim/offender mediation services to juveniles, Shawnee County and Court Services. Giving them the opportunity to learn from mistakes and hear from those who are affected by these mistakes. Providing an opportunity to move forward as part of the community rather than becoming repeat offenders.  We work with the University of Kansas to offer Parent /Youth Facilitation in hopes of keeping families together by listening to the needs of the family and assisting them in communication.

Topeka Center for Peace and Justice Inc. holds dual discussion panel 

Topeka Center for Peace and Justice announces violence reduction strategy 

Executive Director: Pastor Carl Frazier

Our Mission

​Positive Connections is a community based organization that advocates for people living in Northeast Kansas and provides comprehensive services to individuals who are impacted by HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C.

Positive Connections provides comprehensive medical case management and prevention services to 17 counties in Northeast Kansas, including Shawnee County and Riley County. Our Medical Case Managers serve nearly 200 clients living with HIV by providing assistance and advocacy to help them communicate with their doctors, obtain medication, and adhere to treatment regimens.

Our prevention services include rapid HIV testing, sexual health education programs, outreach to high-risk populations, and condom distribution.  

• Kids have enriching early learning experiences within supportive caregiving environments that honor diverse identities and developmental journeys.
• Parents and guardians have access to quality, affordable child care that meets them where they are with what they need.
• Diverse individuals enter the child care field and all child care providers stay on a sustainable career path that allows them to support their own families and provide the best care for the kids they serve. Child care businesses offer spaces of belonging for employees and the children and families they serve.
• Employers attract and retain a diverse, quality workforce.
• Communities — large and small — provide a high quality of life that keeps residents and welcomes new families from all walks of life.

We provide opportunities, connections, and support for Kansans to envision what a better child care system can look like for them. Working within a network of Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, we also connect caregivers and providers to the information and support they need. 

Our team brings extensive experience and expertise in early care and education. We focus on:

• Providing essential information and referrals to families looking for child care.
• Supporting and advocating for hardworking child care providers across our state.
• Collecting statewide data on child care to inform parents, providers, and decision-makers.
• Creating opportunities for families and providers to share their experiences and work with other stakeholders to make changes.
•  Partnering with local communities and businesses who are looking to implement new solutions to learn about families’ needs and collaborate in designing effective options.
• Advancing conversations that build understanding of the barriers people experience and strategies for creating inclusive early care environments.

El Centro of Topeka is one of the few organizations in Topeka that provides culturally sensitive assistance to low income Hispanic families. Since opening its doors in 1972 the goal has been to be a trusted community resource center for individuals and families in need of help. Our services are designed to address the needs of our clients. Many of our clients speak very limited English and lack familiarity with programs and resources available to them.

El Centro’s mission is to strengthen communities and improve the lives of Latinos and others through educational, social and economic opportunities.

Organization Partners & Resources

Three leading Latino organizations in Topeka, Topeka League of United Latina American Citizens (LULAC) Council, El Centro of Topeka and MANA de Topeka joined together to create a leadership development program supported by the Kansas Leadership Center. The program is the first of its kind in Kansas and invites participates looking for a unique and rigorous leadership training opportunity.

For questions/additional information:

Lalo Munoz
Executive Director
El Centro of Topeka

Home to Kansas State University, a land-grant institution and Big XII member, this region in between the coasts is exactly where your next site should be. For a century and a half, we’ve leveraged our location (and our 58,000 citizens’ Midwestern work ethic) to become the center of the biodefense world, a leader in crop and grain innovations, and a premier cluster of agricultural expertise.

We have:

• Efficient accessibility via interstates and fast commutes on an excellent state highway system, with direct daily flights to Chicago and Dallas
• Existing and in-progress research and office park space with proximity to state and federal research facilities
• A long history of profitable cooperation among the regional business community, local governments, nonprofits and educational institutions, resulting in a progressive business ecosystem
• The vibe of both a small Midwestern city and a Power Five university town, with affordable housing, low crime, a priority on education and tons of athletic and cultural opportunities

Check out our numbers and investigate our sites. Take a look at what the Greater Manhattan, Kansas, region has to offer and then get in touch today!

Shelly Bedsaul provides original art, classes and gift items in a variety of mediums and styles, from folk art to abstract, still life to fantasy and painted furniture.

Shelly draws inspiration from music, spirituality and the human condition. Her images often have two meanings, the first, a simple visual, the second, symbols of inner thoughts, mood and soul. Color and defined spaces are the uniting factors in her work. She paints in oil, acrylic, colored pencil and block printing, recently adding digital photography to her list. Her styles run from realist to abstract. If there is an infinite number of things to see, there must be an infinite number of ways to record it.

Shelly Bedsaul, Artist

Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce – Wichita
2251 E 21st (Suite 103)
Wichita, Kansas, KS 67219
(316) 210-2033

https://www.facebook.com/hbccwichita

The Gil Carter Initiative, a non-profit organization, was formed to commemorate the accomplishments of Mr Gil Carter, a native of Topeka, Kansas, a successful baseball player in the Baseball Negro League and to continue his work in the community. It’s purpose is to continue his efforts to the youth of the community and to give Mr. Carter the recognition that he deserves.

As a member of the New Mexico team, Carter is credited with hitting the longest home run in baseball history at 733 feet.

After baseball, Carter lived in Wichita and then eventually moved to Topeka where he helped children through a variety of activities.

The idea for this commemoration was born during the last year of his life. Through many conversations with him and with several of his friends and acquaintances, his history as an accomplished baseball player and his dedication to community activities in support of the youth of Topeka was uncovered.

Gil Carter was born on November 11, 1931 and died at his home in Topeka on May 31, 2015

The mission of the Gil Carter Initiative Inc. is to enhance the development, dignity and quality of the lives of, but not limited to members of the community; through specialized education in diverse areas, focusing on socioeconomically challenged children and young adults regardless of their race or religion.

Erma Forbes, President