Pulse- Dec 24 3

KYEA 2024 Year in Review: Empowering Lives, Building Futures

by Shannon Kennedy, Executive Director

 

Wow—2024 has flown by! Here we are in December, reflecting on an incredible year of growth, empowerment, and community impact. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re filled with excitement and gratitude for what’s to come.
 

Big Wins and Bold Moves in 2024

This year has been nothing short of transformative for KYEA! We expanded programs like the Empower Me Series, brought back Disability Mentoring Day with a fresh new format, and launched Employment Services in Shawnee County to help youth develop soft skills and secure jobs.

Thanks to a collaboration with the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), our team is participating in transformative leadership classes that will help us build stronger communities and provide fresh and updated leadership skills to those we will work with in 2025. We also made our first foray into fundraising with a successful community garage sale, raising funds to support our mission. A grant for a new donor and volunteer database sets us up to better connect with our supporters. And we have so many more ideas for the coming year.
 

KYEA’s Secret Sauce: Our Amazing People

None of this would be possible without our incredible team. This year, we welcomed Chris, Jen, Liam, and Nikki, who joined forces with Kirstianna and Carrie to make magic happen.

  • Carrie kept the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) running smoothly while balancing KYEA’s growth.
  • Jen reintroduced Disability Mentoring Day to Shawnee County and is creating a volunteer program that will enable us to utilize our supporters in unprecedented ways. In 2025, Jen will debut a support group for caregivers of youth with disabilities.
  • Chris transitioned from volunteer to our first Employment Specialist, developing job placement programs in Shawnee County.
  • Liam joined the Empower Me Series team, bringing fresh ideas and energy to our workshops.
  • Nikki quickly moved into a much-needed fundraising role, and we’re excited to see her plans come to life in 2025.
  • Kirstianna took a bold and fresh new take on our EmpowerMe Series and has received incredible feedback from everyone.
  • We also celebrated the retirement of Rosie, a cornerstone of KYEA for many years, whose legacy will continue to inspire our work.


Looking Ahead to 2025

In 2025, KYEA is moving to a larger office to grow our programs and better serve Kansas youth with disabilities. We’re also expanding our leadership and advocacy initiatives while continuing to empower youth to step into their futures with confidence and strength.

In 2025, KYEA will proudly celebrate its 20th anniversary, and we’re already planning a spectacular celebration! We’ll honor our history, embrace our present, and look ahead to an exciting future. We can’t wait to have you join us for this milestone moment!


Thank You

To our supporters, partners, and community: thank you for making 2024 unforgettable. Your unwavering commitment drives our mission forward. Here’s to another year of growth, empowerment, and making a difference—together.

As always, KYEA is here to Empower YOUth!