Youth Violence Prevention Center - Kansas City (YVPC-KC)

March 2026

In-person 

Wednesday, March 4, 2026
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

The upcoming ThrYve Systems and Youth Advisory Board meeting will be held at Juniper Gardens Children's Project. refeshements will be provided.

New Location:

Juniper Garden Children's Project
444 Minnesota Avenue, Suite 300,

Kansas City, KS 66101

For those who cannot attend in-person, a hybrid meeting option will be provided by request.

Visitors may park in the City Lot #4 located southeast of the CCKC Building (Highlighted).

Please do not park within the circle lot directly outside of the building - these spaces are reserved for Project Eagle parent pick-up throughout the day. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to all our partners who collaborated with us on the Drug Free Communities grant proposal. Your commitment and expertise were invaluable throughout this process. In particular, we thank the Health Department and the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime for their outstanding partnership, thoughtful contributions, and dedication to strengthening our community. This proposal reflects the power of teamwork, and we are grateful for everyone who helped make it possible. We are hopeful and look forward to a favorable review.

We are looking for summer youth programs, activities, and events to feature in our Youth Opportunities and Resource Menu. The information you provide will help connect Kansas City, Kansas, youth and families to meaningful summer opportunities that support leadership development, mentorship, post–high school readiness, and overall well-being. Please complete our survey using the button and include any dates, times, locations, age groups served, registration details, any associated costs, and fliers.

ThrYve celebrated the season on December 17 with a festive session at all our after-school programs, featuring a gingerbread house decorating challenge, Christmas-themed Kahoot trivia, and a Chick-fil-A meal. Youth showcased teamwork and creativity, enjoyed friendly competition, making for a day filled with laughter, fun, and holiday spirit.

On January 19, 2026, Alexa Suriano, Calei McConnell, and Maniah Harris, all ThrYve/Lead Up seniors, were awarded scholarships during the Wyandotte County Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held at Memorial Hall. This recognition highlights their leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to service, and reflects the positive impact of their engagement in ThrYve and Lead Up programming.

On January 29, ThrYve hosted 8th Grade Family Engagement Night at ATLAS 9 for Carl Bruce Middle School and Sumner Academy families. The event welcomed families to the ThrYve community, shared program information, and fostered connections over pizza and lemonade in a warm, engaging atmosphere.

ThrYve students enjoyed an action-packed field trip to Andretti’s, where they built friendships and teamwork as they rotated through arcade games, laser tag, kart racing, and more. Fueled by pizza and laughter, the day was filled with nonstop fun, connection, and lasting memories—reminding us of the power of shared experiences in our ThrYve community.

Young Women on the Move is a nonprofit in Kansas City that helps adolescent girls grow into confident, resilient leaders. Their mission is to “unleash the power of girls to create a more vibrant, healthy, and peaceful world” by offering programs that support girls’ physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Young Women on the Move offers after-school programs, summer camps, mentoring, life-skills training, and leadership development. These activities help girls build self-esteem, find their strengths, think critically, and develop healthy habits for long-term success. Their services include school workshops, hands-on learning projects, and the Trailblazers leadership program, which gives teens a chance to practice holistic health and mentor their peers.

This February, Young Women on the Move reached an important milestone by finishing a major renovation of their program space. The new space is bright and welcoming, reflecting the positive spirit they encourage in every girl. The updated facility now has special areas for wellness, character development, and mentorship, as well as leadership zones for hands-on learning. There are also modern spaces for STEM, the arts, entrepreneurship, communications, and college and career preparation. These changes were made possible by the generous support of people who believed in their vision and helped create a welcoming home for future leaders.

Chance Kesuba, an 11th-grade student, has been a valued ThrYve Youth Advisory Board member for two years. Known for her growth, thoughtfulness, and sense of purpose, she enjoys reading and watching movies in her free time. Chance joined ThrYve for its supportive environment and focus on belonging, saying it makes her feel included and connected. Facilitators praise her positivity, critical thinking, and contributions, making her a standout presence and a role model within the program.

Samia Williams, a 9th grade student, brings curiosity and leadership to ThrYve. Passionate about biology and nature, she hopes to become an ultrasound technician to help others and expand her knowledge about pregnancy and women’s health. For Samia, learning goes beyond school—it's about preparing to make a meaningful difference. ThrYve has allowed her to step outside her comfort zone, meet new people, and show she is a leader, helper, and someone who uplifts her community.

We are excited to spotlight VaNiya Gethers, a 9th grade student, a dedicated and thoughtful member of the ThrYve program. VaNiya serves as the basketball manager and actively participates in forensics and debate, demonstrating her commitment to leadership both on and off the court. During our Change Lever Planning sessions for ThrYve, VaNiya stood out for her thoughtful insight and meaningful engagement. While she may be quiet, her voice consistently adds powerful value, encouraging deeper, thought-provoking conversations that strengthen our work. Her contributions help shape impactful strategies and reinforce our mission to prevent youth violence.

Ulisa Treece is an outstanding 9th-grade student who brings positivity, curiosity, and thoughtfulness to ThrYve programming. She enjoys church, family time, and meeting new people at ThrYve, saying, “I like ThrYve because I get to meet new people, go on field trips, and have fun.” Ulisa is a treat to have in programming. She consistently offers smart, thoughtful ideas, actively engages in lessons, and makes a genuine effort to build friendships and become comfortable with others in the classroom. Her openness and willingness to connect make her a positive influence among her peers.

Andrew Huntsman, an 8th-grader, brings a positive, dependable presence to ThrYve. He’s known for his strong character and collaborative spirit, always ready to help peers and support the program. As a ThrYve youth, Andrew uses his intelligence and curiosity to contribute thoughtful insights during sessions and community projects. He actively engages in meaningful, intellectually rich conversations with program leadership, demonstrating maturity, critical thinking, and a genuine interest in understanding community issues more deeply. Andrew’s collaborative spirit and positive attitude make him a valued ThrYve member.

Mi’Yonna Leapper, an outstanding 8th grader at Carl Bruce Middle School, has made a strong impact in her first year with ThrYve, showing leadership, active engagement, and a commitment to growth that earned her a spot on the Youth Leadership Team. Alongside her leadership, she is deeply involved in athletics as a cheerleader, team manager, wrestler, basketball player, and volleyball player. Her drive and teamwork make her a powerful example for her peers.

Sebastian Estrada, a senior, is known for his maturity, kindness, and leadership, consistently demonstrating the RISE principles. Recently, he supported his cousin’s transition to Wyandotte, showing his integrity and care for others. Sebastian has been active in ThrYve for four years, enjoys laser tag, and maintains excellent grades. In addition to playing football and baseball, he plans to pursue barber school after graduation, already honing his skills by cutting hair for family members.

Main Sui Me, a senior at Sumner Academy, was accepted to Brown University, a testament to her academic excellence, perseverance, and dedication. In addition to her impressive academic record, Main demonstrates leadership as a Praise and Worship leader at her church and as an active member of BuildOn, where she serves others and inspires her peers. She is deeply committed to making a positive impact in her community through faith, service, and compassion. Main exemplifies the values of ThrYve.

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Arianna Siddique, who is a LEAD UP student organization leader and guide, and an undergraduate research assistant with our Community Youth Development and Prevention Research Team within the Center for Community Health and Development, has been selected to represent the University of Kansas at the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) Undergraduate Research Virtual Poster Showcase. Arianna developed and presented her research project highlighting our new MyLEADUP app, which connects students with volunteer KU student guides to create personalized plans for college preparation, academic success, and long-term goals.

She is one of five KU students chosen to present alongside peers from public universities across Kansas. Participants will share their work with state legislators and other government leaders, demonstrating the impact of undergraduate research and student innovation across the state.

We’re proud to share two recent journal publications highlighting the value of collaboration in addressing socially important issues, such as, youth violence prevention. Drawing from our shared work through the ThrYve initiative, these publications reflect what we’ve learned about the power of collaborative partnerships, across sectors and alongside youth and community members, to strengthen professional training, address structural and social determinants of health, and facilitate meaningful community and systems change. Please visit our ThrYve website for a list of publications and abstracts related to our collaborative efforts through ThrYve and the Youth Violence Prevention Center- Kansas City. If you are interested in full publications, email thryve@ku.edu. 

Citations

Spencer, T. D., Thompson, V., & Watson-Thompson, J. (2026). Community-Engaged Scholarship: An Interpartner Approach for Collaborative Practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Thompson, V. M., Watson-Thompson, J., Bernard, D. L., & Bah, L. (2025). Addressing Structural Factors to Prevent Youth Violence Through a Multisector Collaborative Approach. Prevention Science.

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 ThrYve/YVPC-KC partners, please share your upcoming activities and events so we can include them on the partner events calendar.

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson

MAILING ADDRESS

1000 Sunnyside Ave
4082 Dole Center
Lawrence, KS, 66045

#wethryve
(913) 897-8543
thryve@ku.edu
www.wethryve.org