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

September 2025

In-person (with Hybrid Option)

Wednesday, September 3, 2025
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

We hope that you can join in-person.

The upcoming ThrYve Systems Advisory Board meeting will be held at the Donnelly College Event Center. Light snacks will be provided.

Donnelly College Event Center
608 N. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102.

However, for those who cannot attend in-person, a hybrid meeting option will be provided, and you may alternatively join via Zoom.

https://kansas.zoom.us/j/7761080911 Phone 669-900-6833 (Meeting ID 7761-08-0911)

The 2025 Boys 2 Men Camping Trip was a transformative experience for ThrYve youth, blending nature, challenge, and connection to foster leadership, self-awareness, and brotherhood.

From the moment students arrived at Basswood Resort, they were immersed in hands-on learning—setting up camp, mastering fire-starting basics, and engaging in beginner-friendly fishing that sparked meaningful conversations. Evenings around the campfire offered space for reflection, shared meals, and bonding under the stars.

The weekend left a lasting impact. The Boys 2 Men Camping Trip remains one of ThrYve’s meaningful traditions that leave a lasting impression—empowering young men to grow in character, confidence, and community.

This summer, ThrYve partnered again with the Youth Entrepreneur Exchange Program, an initiative we’ve supported for years. Instructor Ms. Cerise Hall led youth as they designed and launched their own family business at the ThrYve/YVPC-KC office in Kansas City, Kansas, creating a collaborative, creative environment.

Participants enjoyed enriching entrepreneur-focused field trips, immersing themselves in real‑world business environments, and drawing inspiration from established entrepreneurs and companies. These experiences were complemented by dynamic guest speaker sessions, including an engaging “How to Canva” workshop that equipped them with essential design and marketing tools to elevate their branding efforts.

Working in groups, participants collaborated to develop business names, branding, and marketing materials while gaining hands‑on knowledge of the ins and outs of entrepreneurship. The experience not only sparked creativity but also imparted invaluable real‑world skills in teamwork, leadership, and business ownership.

The program culminated in the exciting Guppy Tank Competition, where each group pitched their family business idea. Huge congratulations to this year’s winners, Donovan Richardson and Evon Townsel, whose standout presentation earned them the top spot and a $200 cash prize!

This past July, ThrYve participants teamed up with Youth Revive Inc. for an inspiring college tour through Oklahoma. The group explored the campuses of the University of Central Oklahoma and Langston University, gaining firsthand insight into college life.

An early start didn’t slow anyone down—our youth brought energy, curiosity, and plenty of laughter. From stepping through student centers to engaging with campus culture, they experienced a glimpse of what their future could hold.

Youth participated in the 2025 LEAD UP Summer Academy at the University of Kansas. Over three days, they participated in college prep workshops, academic enrichment sessions, and leadership development, strengthening their academic skills, building confidence, and gaining a firsthand understanding of college life through dorm living and meals at KU's Mrs. E’s dining hall.

MOSCA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault), with community partners, has launched the Positive Norms Change Campaign to challenge social causes of violence. Wyandotte County youth identified specific factors fueling violence and created the It is Time to Step Up! campaign to mobilize the community. Youth now call on adults to actively serve as positive role models in targeted areas.

Visit the MOSCA Website to learn more about the areas where youth identified a need for adult support, such as digital safety, economic opportunities, life skills, emotional wellness, and fair treatment from the system. Take action by exploring these topics and finding ways to support youth in your community.

For more information about MOSCA, visit their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

Grandparents for Gun Safety (GGS) continued efforts to emphasize education, safety, and common ground gun reform. Holding both annual forums and monthly meetings, GSS provides an outlet for the community to work towards this powerful reform. ThrYve Youth Advisory Board members had an opportunity to participate during their July 28th meeting. Providing our youth with the platform to share their experiences with gun violence in the KC area.

For more information about Grandparent for Gun Safety, visit their website, Instagram, and Facebook.

On July 2, 2025, Barry Anderson (previous YVPC-KC youth and recent KU Graduate) and Dr. Jomella Watson-Thompson joined KCUR's Up To Date to delve deeper into the impact of the ThrYve program. They shared the progress and mission of the YVPC-KC and the strategies used to address youth violence as a community health issue. Highlighting how youth violence has fallen in Wyandotte County, in part due to the YVPC-KC/ThrYve program.

Check out the full interview: A KU graduate says this youth violence prevention program helped him prepare for college

On August 12, 2025, ThrYve Youth Leadership Team member Joey Alaniz was featured in a Fox 4 News interview as part of the Step Up Campaign—a youth-driven initiative led by MOSCA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) in partnership with other community organizations. The campaign aims to elevate youth voices and responds to the need for a new approach to curbing teen violence.
 
Unlike past campaigns that relied on scare tactics, Step Up takes a unique angle: it targets adults, encouraging them to communicate more openly and positively with teens. The focus is on fostering healthy relationships and building trust rather than fear.

The campaign’s first billboard, located at North 17th Street and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, features a bold, multicolored design with the message: “It’s time to step up.”
 
Joey’s interview took place directly in front of the billboard, where he shared personal reflections on youth leadership and the power of being heard. His voice reinforced the campaign’s core message—that when youth are seen, supported, and given platforms to lead, they can help build safer, stronger communities.
 
ThrYve Youth Advisory Board members, along with other youth from community partner programs across the community, have participated over a couple of years in multiple forums and sessions to inform the campaign. The YVPC-KC is proud to support Joey and all of our ThrYve Youth Advisory board members, as well as other youth across the community who are stepping up to represent their peers and advocate for their communities.

Donovan’s positive influence and warm and welcoming demeanor extends beyond the classroom, as he is known for his thoughtful nature and for engaging in meaningful conversations with adults. As a dedicated baseball player, Donovan balances his athletic pursuits with a focus on personal and academic growth

Donovan’s influence reaches beyond school walls, as he is deeply committed to serving his community. He plans to teach sermons at his church and launch a business, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to giving back to those around him.

Niaryha, a proud member of ThrYve since the 7th grade shines academically.

Throughout her journey with ThrYve, Niaryha has developed into a strong and consistent presence within the program. She contributes positivity, dedication, and leadership to every activity she participates in. Niaryha’s commitment to personal growth, along with her ability to lead and uplift those around her, makes her an inspiring role model to her peers.

 Joey incredible commitment to leadership and growth.

He’s been active on the ThrYve Youth Leadership Team, participated in Lead Up Summer Academy, spoken on community panels, and was recently interviewed by FOX4 Kansas City in the unveiling of MOCSA’s youth driven Time to Step Up campaign.

Outside of ThrYve, Joey shines as a choir singer, theatre performer. With big dreams of become a lawyer or therapist one day. Joey’s voice, leadership, and creativity inspire us, and we’re so proud to walk alongside him on this journey!

Evon is a 10th grader at Wyandotte High School, Evon balancing her academic responsibilities with her extracurricular passions. This summer, she sharpened her leadership and entrepreneurial skills by participating and winning ThrYve’s Guppy Tank/YEE program.

As a talented snare drum player, she earned a scholarship to attend a band camp in Louisiana. Her achievements both in music and academics reflect her discipline and drive to excel in everything she sets her mind to.

Sariah has been an outstanding member of the ThrYve program since joining in the 7th grade alongside her sibling. From the very beginning, Sariah has exhibited strong leadership qualities in all aspects of her life, making her a standout student both in and out of the classroom.

Sariah is deeply involved in extracurricular activities, participating in basketball, cheerleading, and track. Despite her busy schedule, she has consistently balanced her athletic commitments with academic excellence.

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Check out our ThrYve Calendar and Community Resource Guide

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