Good morning Wichita! It’s Monday, March 11, did you set your clocks forward one hour yesterday?
First up, the historic Dunbar Theatre hosted a private screening of the inspiring film “One Heart,” which aims to help justice-involved and at-risk youth find opportunities for success. The event also drew attention to ongoing restoration efforts at the Dunbar.
In other news, the Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded health care eligibility to millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their military service.
Dunbar Theater kicks off One Heart Project in Wichita with film screening
The historic Dunbar Theatre in Wichita, Kansas, recently hosted a private screening of the feature film “One Heart,” which tells the story of a football game that brought together a high school team and a team of violent juvenile offenders from a maximum-security prison. The event was also the launch of the One Heart Project in Wichita, which aims to help justice-involved and at-risk youth find opportunities for success. Walmart contributed $30,000 to the program’s launch, and the event also drew attention to ongoing restoration efforts at the Dunbar.
VA extends health care eligibility to veterans exposed to toxins
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded health care eligibility to millions of veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their military service, including those who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other combat zone after 9/11. This expansion eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act, allowing millions of veterans to become eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. The VA encourages all eligible veterans to enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits, as VA hospitals have been proven to have better health outcomes and are often more affordable than non-VA health care for veterans.
Sedgwick County and Wichita seek $40 million for homeless shelters and enforcement of camping laws
Hey there, Wichita! There’s a new bill in town that’s stirring up some conversation about addressing homelessness in our community. It’s all about securing funding for homeless shelter infrastructure, but there’s a twist involving local ordinances on camping and vagrancy. Want to know more? Keep reading to get the scoop on this hot topic.
Kansas Black Educators Hall of Fame inducts nine educators for Black History Month
Nine outstanding individuals in Black history were recently inducted into the Kansas Black Educators Hall of Fame. Founded by nonprofit Art That Touches Your Heart in 2017, the hall of fame now has 70 members. The inductees were chosen by community-based voting and include retired teachers, a retired assistant superintendent of schools, and a middle school teacher. The goal of the hall of fame is to honor generations of Black teachers and encourage today’s Black students to become tomorrow’s Black teachers and artists.
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