The JE & LE Mabee Foundation of Tulsa, Oklahoma has issued a $1 million capstone challenge grant to build KVC Health Systems’ new children’s psychiatric hospital in Wichita, Kansas.

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Jason Hooper

“We are extremely proud to have the Mabee Foundation as a partner in our HOPE LIVES Campaign,” says Jason Hooper, KVC Health Systems President and CEO. “When we reach $6 million in gifts and pledges, they will gift the final $1 million to help us achieve $7 million.”

The Mabee Foundation is known for its “capstone” challenge grants to help nonprofit organizations reach their capital and equipment goals.

The HOPE LIVES Campaign serves to raise $7 million to help fund a new youth psychiatric hospital in Wichita to serve the children of Sedgwick County and Kansas. As of today, $3.2 million has been raised.

Michelle Lawrence

KVC must raise the final $2.8 million as gifts and pledges by June of 2019 or KVC and the Wichita community loses the $1 million grant. “We are working diligently to make sure these out-of-state funds are brought to Wichita,” says Michelle Lawrence, KVC Health Systems Vice President of Development.

To date, KVC’s HOPE LIVES Campaign has secured donors from eleven different Kansas communities for the Wichita hospital. The Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park, Kansas provided a lead gift of $1.5 million to launch the HOPE LIVES Campaign.

The youth treated at KVC Hospitals are experiencing a mental health crisis including suicidal thoughts, extreme aggression, anxiety, depression or psychotic symptoms. Responding to an overwhelming demand for emergency psychiatric care for Kansas children, KVC developed a strategic plan to open a 54-bed children’s psychiatric hospital in Wichita.

Ryan Speier

“The children of Kansas need help,” says Ryan Speier, KVC Hospitals President. “Their families and loved ones also need support because right now, they aren’t sure where to turn for help. We are proud to be part of laying the foundation for this new hospital.”

KVC Hospitals provides acute, inpatient psychiatric treatment for children ages six to eighteen. By using innovative, evidence-based approaches, KVC ensures each child’s successful treatment, safety and well-being. The Wichita hospital is geographically positioned to provide emergency access to more than a quarter million Kansas children. With an average stay of seven to ten days, the Wichita hospital can provide treatment for up to 2,800 children a year.

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About KVC Health Systems

KVC Health Systems, headquartered in the greater Kansas City area, is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that enriches and enhances the lives of over 63,000 children and families each year by providing medical and behavioral healthcare, social services, and education. KVC’s diverse continuum of services includes in-home family support, behavioral healthcare, foster care, adoption, substance abuse treatment, and children’s psychiatric hospitals. KVC’s team of 1,600 caring professionals are based at 35 locations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky and West Virginia and provide training and consultation around the world. Learn more at www.kvc.org.

About KVC Hospitals

KVC Hospitals, a subsidiary of KVC Health Systems, is a nonprofit network of youth psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment facilities, alternative education programs, and other behavioral health services. Each year, we help thousands of children and adolescents who are experiencing a mental health crisis by providing treatment, care and skill-building so they can understand their diagnoses, connect to their support network, and thrive. What makes KVC Hospitals unique is our use of advanced neuroscience regarding healthy brain development and the impact of trauma, and our proven ability to translate this science into innovative, hands-on tools that guide treatment. The organization is accredited by The Joint Commission, considered the gold standard in healthcare, and part of KVC Health Systems. Learn more at www.kvchospitals.org.

For more information, please contact Michelle Lawrence at 913-322-4941 or mlawrence@kvc.org.