Don't Wait to Ask for Help
Pandemic stress is real. We are worried about our health, our jobs, our parents, our children, and our own mental health. Many of us are in the situation of having to ask for help for the first time. Partners all across Topeka and Shawnee County are ready to help you manage these stressful situations.
Mental Health
For adults, Valeo Behavioral Health Care provides a 24-hour crisis line at (785) 234-3300. https://www.valeotopeka.org/
Families who have struggling children and adolescents can turn to Family Service and Guidance Center crisis services at 785.232.5005. FSGC also provides Shawnee County teens with access to the 7 Cups smartphone app that connects teens to mental health support at no charge. They can visit 7Cups.com/p/fsgc to get started by entering the code TALK. Learn more at https://www.fsgctopeka.com/.
Operation Food Secure
Operation Food Secure is an initiative designed to address food insecurity in the greater Topeka area by partnering with the city, churches, and other neighborhood entities to help bring healthy food to those who need it. Food comes from the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program, which was created as a part of the federal government’s response to the coronavirus crisis. The program purchases surplus food product from farmers and redistributes it to community organizations, such as the Topeka Rescue Mission. Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries is developing a network of neighborhood distribution locations. Get more information online at https://trmonline.org/operationfoodsecure.
Housing and Credit Counseling
Housing and Credit Counseling is there for residents of Shawnee County when they need help creating or managing a budget, getting ready to buy a home, dealing with a landlord and many other aspects of personal financial health. They also provide the United Way funded HOPE financial mentoring program that pairs individuals with long-term financial mentors to help them get out of debt and start building wealth. Learn more at https://hcci-ks.org/.
Safety from Domestic Violence
Staying at home and apart from others is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately for some, it also means being cut off from life-saving help when they are stuck at home with an abuser. The YWCA of Northeast Kansas offers safety, support and prevention for survivors of violence. Learn more at https://www.ywcaneks.org/what-we-do/.
Legal Services
Kansas Legal Services helps low-income Kansans meet their basic needs by providing legal and mediation services. KLS is legal aid in Kansas, providing equal access to justice for the most vulnerable Kansans. KLS handles cases in consumer, employment, family, juvenile, health, housing, income maintenance and individual rights law. https://www.kansaslegalservices.org/node/63/get-help
Community Action
Community Action is the place to start when you aren’t sure what you need. They are connected to resources across the community and are there to help. Recently they created and staffed a popup COVID-19 community station to help people access assistance. Find out more at http://www.wefightpoverty.org/
211
Day or night, trained resource specialists will answer your questions about almost anything and give you local contacts for accessing help. Just dial 211 from any phone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From healthcare to childcare to elder abuse to rent assistance to legal aid, they are your resource.
