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For many Black families in Wichita, poverty, trauma, and a lack of mental health support create barriers to growth. Too often, these challenges go unaddressed due to stigma and mistrust within the community and limited access to culturally competent care.
Jo Lynn Bright is the community impact director at HopeNet, a faith-based nonprofit transforming lives through coaching and counseling. For 30 years, HopeNet has provided mental health services based on clients’ ability to pay – all made possible by donor support.
Bright leads HopeNet’s BridgesICT program that focuses on bringing mental health support and poverty-reduction strategies to Wichita’s most under-resourced communities, many of whom are often African American.
Originally from Junction City, KS, Bright grew up in a large, well-known Black family. That foundation of community shaped her path.
After earning a degree in family life and human development, she built a career dedicated to strengthening families — from working with the state’s Dept. for Children and Families to serving as a marriage and family therapist, and now leading outreach efforts at HopeNet.
“When people see someone who looks like them and listens without judgment, it changes the dynamic,” Bright says. “We’re not just offering resources — we’re rebuilding trust.”
Getting Ahead: A Life-Changing Opportunity
At the heart of BridgesICT is Getting Ahead, a 16-week group program designed for individuals living in or near poverty. The program helps participants examine their current situation, identify strengths and challenges, and create a plan for stability and opportunity.
HopeNet has offered Getting Ahead classes for more than 10 years. BridgesICT, launched in 2023, aims to expand this effort to Wichita’s 10 poorest ZIP codes over the next decade.
Participants must complete an application and interview process to ensure they are ready to fully engage in the program. A new class typically begins each August and runs through December.
The program removes common barriers to participation by offering:
- Family-style meals at each session
- Free childcare
- A stipend to honor participants’ time and effort
- A trauma-informed, supportive environment focused on personal growth
“This isn’t about budgeting or job skills — though those things may follow,” Bright says. “It’s about helping people shift how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.”
Ty Davis, a 2022 graduate of the Getting Ahead class, said:
“The class was truly a call to action. Since graduating, I’ve been dedicated to planning community events focused on connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.”
HopeNet’s Broader Commitment
Bright’s leadership extends beyond Getting Ahead. She helps build partnerships and design programming that ensures mental health resources reach families most impacted by poverty and systemic barriers. HopeNet offers professional therapy and coaching on a sliding scale to ensure no one is turned away due to financial need.
Graduation ceremonies are described as powerful moments where participants reflect on how the program has changed their lives and families.
“This work is about building a healthier Wichita — a city where Black families and all families are growing, thriving, and building futures,” Bright says.
How to Get Involved
For counseling or coaching, call HopeNet at 316-684-4673 (intake is free)
For info on Getting Ahead or BridgesICT, visit www.BridgesICT.org or email bridgesict@hopenetwichita.org.
