Kansas Legislature Honors SparkWheel's Impact on Families

TOPEKA — The Kansas State House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring SparkWheel for its transformational impact on Kansas youth and communities on March 17. Topeka area students from schools involved with SparkWheel programs, joined the ceremony while Representative Jason Goetz encouraged continued support for SparkWheel’s mission and honored its lasting contributions to the State of Kansas. Representative Goetz took time before and after the presentation to connect with staff and students from Highland Park and Topeka High School—an opportunity that underscored the real-world impact of this work and the importance of continued investment in student success.

“We are deeply grateful to Representative Goetz, and the entire Kansas Legislature, for their continued support of SparkWheel. Our program offers students across Kansas with a transformational experience that supports them as they grow into the best versions of themselves. We are proud of our results and look forward to continuing to serve Kansas students and communities into the future.” says Ethan Spurling, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations.

Sparkwheel is a Kansas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth, strengthening families, and supporting communities through innovative, student-centered programming. Sparkwheel partners with schools, businesses, and community organizations across the State of Kansas and Missouri to provide wraparound services designed to meet the holistic needs of young people.

SparkWheel currently operates in 40 individual schools across the state, serving early childhood to post-secondary students and their families through customized and place-based programming. The resolution can be found in its entirety below:

RESOLUTION

Honoring SparkWheel for Its Transformational Impact on Kansas Youth and Communities

WHEREAS, SparkWheel is a Kansas-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth, strengthening families, and supporting communities through innovative, student-centered programming; and

WHEREAS, SparkWheel partners with schools, businesses, and community organizations across the State of Kansas to provide mentoring, leadership development, mental health support, career exploration, and wraparound services designed to meet the holistic needs of young people; and

WHEREAS, through its evidence-based programs and collaborative partnerships, SparkWheel helps students build confidence, resilience, and practical life skills necessary for long-term success in education, career, and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, SparkWheel works intentionally to remove barriers to opportunity by providing resources, trusted relationships, and individualized support to students navigating academic, social, and personal challenges; and

WHEREAS, the organization’s commitment to collaboration reflects the best of Kansas values - bringing together educators, employers, families, and community leaders to invest in the next generation; and

WHEREAS, SparkWheel’s dedication to innovation, accountability, and measurable impact strengthens Kansas schools and communities, helping ensure that students are not only prepared for graduation, but equipped to thrive beyond it;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Proclaimed by the Kansas House of Representatives that we hereby recognize and honor SparkWheel for its outstanding service to the youth and families of Kansas, commend its leadership, staff, volunteers, and partners for their tireless dedication, and express our sincere appreciation for the organization’s continued commitment to empowering the next generation of Kansans.

Be It Further Proclaimed that the Kansas House of Representatives encourages continued support for SparkWheel’s mission and celebrates its lasting contributions to the State of Kansas.

About SparkWheel: SparkWheel is a nonprofit organization dedicated to removing barriers, filling unmet needs, and helping students and families thrive. We serve more than 30,000 students in K-12, early childhood, and post-secondary schools in 60 schools across Kansas and Missouri. For more information, visit www.sparkwheel.org

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