How Kansas Citians are driving positive community change

The curated articles highlight Kansas Citians who work to change and improve their communities through action and advocacy. They share a commitment to making neighborhoods safer, more connected, and supportive for residents and beyond.

Law enforcement agencies in North Kansas City joined forces to address and stop human trafficking through coordinated actions and arrests. A group of Johnson County mothers work to create safer biking and walking routes to help their suburb become more walkable for families. An Olathe neighborhood united to block the development of a large frozen food warehouse near homes, urging city planners to consider safety and environmental concerns. Meanwhile, a Kansas Jayhawks basketball player organized a skills camp for youth to inspire and instruct young athletes in his hometown.

Each example shows individuals who engage, organize, and give back, changing their Kansas City communities for the better.

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Joann Schermerhorn of Overland Park plays a metal singing bowl as Buckwheat, a foster kitten, listens during a recent sound bath session in Kansas City. Schermerhorn has found that cats, and dogs, seem to enjoy sound baths as much as humans and has started a business to provide them for pets. By Emily Curiel

NO. 1: HEIDI GARDNER’S CATS LOVE THEIR WEEKLY SOUND BATHS. NOW THEY’RE OFFERED TO KC PETS

A few weeks ago while house-siting for a friend, Joann Schermerhorn decided to use the time to practice her new sound bath skills. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez

Law enforcement officers salute while pallbearers carry the casket of Wyandotte County Sheriff's deputy Elijah Ming through Children's Mercy Stadium on Monday, August 11, 2025, during funeral services for Ming. Ming was killed in the line of duty while responding to a call. By Emily Curiel

NO. 2: HUNDREDS CELEBRATE FALLEN KCK DEPUTY ELIJAH MING AT MEMORIAL: ‘A MIGHTY WARRIOR’

The Monday morning of Elijah Ming’s memorial service funeral was started out gloomy and grey. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green

police car lights on night. Stock image of a police car flashing its lights at night.

NO. 3: NORTH KANSAS CITY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES UNITE TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING

A dozen people were arrested in Kansas City’s Northland last week in an organized effort to combat human trafficking, according to a press release from the Ray County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Caroline Zimmerman

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Darryn Peterson met the media during a summer school interview session in Allen Fieldhouse ahead of the 2025-26 season. By Gary Bedore

NO. 4: KU SENSATION DARRYN PETERSON BRINGS BASKETBALL CLINIC TO HIS OHIO HIGH SCHOOL

Kansas Jayhawks freshman basketball guard Darryn Peterson returned to Cuyahoga Valley (Ohio) Christian Academy on Saturday to run a three-hour skills clinic in the gym where he started his highly successful high school hoops career. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Gary Bedore

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Johnson County administration buildings in downtown Olathe

NO. 5: OLATHE NEIGHBORS WIN PUSH TO BLOCK NEW FROZEN FOOD WAREHOUSE — AT LEAST FOR NOW

Beth and John Reinhart first moved to Olathe’s Nottington Creek neighborhood because of its peaceful, rural atmosphere, Beth Reinhart said. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O'Connor

Jaclyn Penn stands for a portrait outside the old Leawood City Hall building on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Leawood, Kansas. Penn is among a group of residents pushing to convert the vacant structure into a community center. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: MEET THE JOHNSON COUNTY MOMS LEADING THE PUSH TO MAKE A SPRAWLING SUBURB WALKABLE

When Kylee Markey lived in Brookside, she said she practically raised her young kids on the sidewalks. | Published August 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Madeline King

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.