2026 Summer Newsletter

EDUCATION about and PREVENTION against relationship-based violence.

SUMMER 2026 NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE Meet Alex Kultgen, Education & Prevention Specialist Welcoming Elsie Chartier to the Team Introducing Joanna Sanchez, Social Work Practicum Student Employee Step Up to the Plate for Prevention: Community Organization of the Game with Wichita Wind Surge

INTERNAL NEWS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS Meet Alex Kultgen, Education & Prevention Specialist

Originally from Waco, Texas, Alex brings a passion for belonging, equity, and community driven change to our team. She is a graduate of Fort Hays State University, where she earned her B.S. in Organizational Leadership, and she holds a Master’s in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Alex is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion, with research focused on systems level equity for the Asian American community, women, and society as a whole.

KCSDV Grant Partnership: Entering Our Final Sesmester of Impact

In her role as Education & Prevention Specialist, Alex develops, coordinates, and delivers programming aimed at preventing domestic and dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking. She leads initiatives across middle and high schools, higher education institutions, and community organizations, helping prevent relationship-based violence through education and awareness. Her enthusiasm for this work and dedication to education make her a wonderful addition to Jana’s Campaign.

Strengthening Our Male Programming Through Research

Welcoming Elsie Chartier to the Team this Summer

Mark Your Calendars: Empty Place at the Table 2026 Thank You, KU Women in Law

Join us for the 14th Annual Heartland Campus Safety Summit Cultivating Protective Communities: Strengthening Safety in Ellis County Volunteer with Jana’s Campaign Launching the 4th Annual Knowledge is Power: Fundraising Initiative

We are excited to welcome Elsie Chariter as a summer intern. A social work student at Fort Hays State University, Elsie has been involved with Jana’s Campaign for five years through our Youth Advisory Council, demonstrating a commitment to violence prevention and youth leadership. Throughout her time with Jana’s Campaign, Elsie has played an active role in prevention education efforts, including serving as a peer facilitator for the annual Bystander Intervention Training conducted at Hays High School. Her leadership has helped empower her peers to recognize harmful behaviors and take safe, effective action. Elsie’s internship was made possible through the generous support of Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth.

We are grateful for their investment in developing young leaders and for helping create opportunities for students like Elsie to gain experience in prevention education work.

Introducing Joanna Sanchez, Social Work Practicum Student Employee

We are thrilled to welcome Joanna Sanchez back to Jana’s Campaign, this time as a part‑time Education & Prevention Specialist while she completes her Master of Social Work practicum through the University of Kansas (KU). Although she is joining our staff in a new capacity, Joanna is no stranger to our mission. Joanna first partnered with Jana’s Campaign through the Leadership 310 course at Fort Hays State University, where she helped lead the Voices for Consent service‑learning project. Through this initiative, she and her classmates organized impactful campus events such as the Fence of Voices, Purple Thursday, and a Pie in the Face fundraiser, all with the purpose of creating awareness and encouraging others to take action related to relationship and sexual violence prevention on campus. Last year, Joanna returned to us as an undergraduate Social Work practicum student, contributing to prevention programming and culturally responsive outreach. Now, as she pursues her Advanced Standing Master of Social Welfare at KU, we are grateful to have her back on our team. Originally from Great Bend, Joanna brings a passion for accessible, culturally relevant resources, advocacy, and prevention work. She is committed to ending generational trauma and strengthening families through education. In her role at Jana’s Campaign, she will assist in developing and delivering educational programs. We look forward to the impact she will continue to make.

Step Up to the Plate for Prevention: Community Organization of the Game with Wichita Wind Surge Jana’s Campaign is honored to be the Community Organization of the Game for the Wichita Wind Surge on Thursday, August 27th. We invite our supporters, friends, and partners to join us for an evening of baseball and community. A portion of every ticket purchased through our event link will directly support Jana’s Campaign’s violence prevention education efforts, helping us continue to equip students and communities with the knowledge and skills to build healthy relationships. We hope you’ll join us in August at the ballpark to celebrate our mission, raise awareness, and cheer on the Wichita Wind Surge. Scan the QR Code to purchase tickets today!

Mark Your Calendars: Empty Place at the Table 2026 Get ready for one of our favorite nights of the year, the annual Empty Place at the Table gala returns on Saturday, October 10th, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! This year’s theme brings all the sparkle and nostalgia of an ’80s Prom, so dust off your best retro glam and prepare for an unforgettable evening. The night will kick off with a festive cocktail hour, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by PFONZ Smokehaus & Catering, exciting live and silent auctions, and all the 80s prom magic you can handle! Most importantly, this event fuels our violence prevention education programs that change - and save - lives. As we mark 17 years of impact across the Midwest and beyond, we invite you to celebrate with us, support our mission, and have a great time for a great cause!

Tickets on sale July 24th at www.JanasCampaign.org/annual-empty-place-at-the-table-gala.html

Thank you, KU Women in Law We are incredibly grateful to KU Women in Law for their continued dedication to Jana’s Campaign and our shared mission of preventing relationship-based violence. In April, KU Women in Law hosted its annual Pub Night fundraiser benefiting Jana’s Campaign and the Willow Domestic Violence Center. Through ticket sales, donated auction items, and the generosity of attendees, the event raised more than $17,000 to support violence prevention and survivor services.

The evening featured remarks from our co-founders, Drs. Christie and Curt Brungardt, who shared Jana’s story and the importance of continuing this work. Guests also enjoyed a live performance by The Moody Bluebooks, a KU Law band comprised of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with the KU Women in Law. Their support provides valuable resources that make our prevention education efforts possible.

SECONDARY EDUCATION

KCSDV Grant Partnership: Entering Our Final Semester of Impact

As we enter the final school semester of our three‑year Office on Violence Against Women grant, we are proud of the collaborative work completed through our partnership with the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV). Together, we’ve been working to expand comprehensive prevention programming across rural Kansas communities, reaching middle schools, high schools, and college campuses.

Throughout this grant period, our shared efforts have focused on strengthening local capacity, supporting educators and counselors, and empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to teen dating violence.

To date, this initiative has directly reached 4,523 middle school, high school, and college students in 23 schools across 13 rural Kansas counties. As we move into the final school semester of this grant project, we look forward to continuing to bring our prevention education programming to rural, and often underserved, communities. To schedule a presentation or training, contact our Prevention Educators at 785-656-0324 or JanasCampaign@gmail.com.

Strengthening Our Male Programming Through Research This year, our team of Prevention Educators are taking steps to strengthen and update our male-specific prevention programming, thanks to the generous support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). As conversations around masculinity, relationships, and violence prevention continue to evolve, we are committed to ensuring our programming curriculum reflects the real experiences and needs of young men. With KDHE’s support, our team is conducting an in-depth review of national research and evidence-based approaches on healthy masculinity, emotional regulation, bystander intervention, and peer/media-influenced behavior change. We are also gathering insights directly from students, educators, and community partners to better understand what resonates and what young men need most. Our goal is to create programming that is engaging, relevant, and empowering, meeting young men where they are and equipping them with tools that support healthy relationships and positive identity development.

This funding also allows us to continue providing training for coaches on the Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) curriculum, an evidence‑based program that equips athletic coaches to model and teach respect, integrity, and healthy relationship behaviors. Coaches who attend training, implement the training, and provide us with pre/post survey data are eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend (limited stipends available). To schedule a CBIM training, email us at JanasCampaign@gmail.com.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Join Us for the 14th Annual Heartland Campus Safety Summit We’re proud to share that the 2026 Heartland Campus Safety Summit will take place November 18–19 at the University of Kansas. This annual regional conference brings together college and university professionals and students who are committed to strengthening campus responses to sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking, and advancing prevention efforts. Designed to be both accessible and affordable, the Summit welcomes participants from across the Heartland region, including Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Through collaborative efforts Jana’s Campaign and the KU Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center coordinate the Summit to include practical training and actionable strategies that campuses can implement immediately. Whether attendees are new to this work or seasoned professionals, the Summit provides valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and strengthen their institution’s commitment to student safety. Registration is currently open at www.HeartlandSummit.org, and further session details will be shared in the coming months.

EDUCATION about and PREVENTION against relationship-based violence.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Cultivating Protective Communities: Strengthening Safety in Ellis County

In 2024, the University of Kansas Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center (KU SAPEC) received funding from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) to launch the Cultivating Protective Communities program, a three‑year initiative designed to reduce harm and strengthen community safety through research‑based environmental design strategies. The program helps communities create safer public spaces by improving the built environment, enhancing visibility, encouraging positive social interaction, and supporting protective community behaviors. Implementation sites receive training, guidance, and funding to bring these strategies to life in ways that reflect local needs and priorities.

Jana’s Campaign is honored to serve as the implementation host for Ellis County, working alongside KU SAPEC and a dedicated Strategic Prevention Committee made up of local Ellis County leaders. Together, we’ve partnered with the City of Hays to complete our first community site improvement at the Frontier Park “Big Creek Stepping Stones.” This project represents the first of several planned enhancements aimed at increasing safety, accessibility, and community connection throughout Ellis County. We are grateful to KU SAPEC, our Strategic Prevention Committee members, and the City of Hays Parks Department for their collaboration and commitment to preventing harm before it occurs.

Join Our Mission—Volunteer with Jana’s Campaign!

Want to make a real impact in preventing relationship-based violence? We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help us inspire change in communities across Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and beyond. Whether you can lend a hand at events or share your skills behind the scenes, your time and talent make a difference. Sign up by scanning the QR code and be part of the movement to prevent relationship-based violence before it starts.

Launching the 4th Annual Knowledge is Power: Fundraising Initiative

As students across the region are preparing to head back to school, Jana’s Campaign is gearing up to deliver our relationship-based violence prevention programs to middle and high school students. For seventeen years, our Prevention Educators have equipped young people with the knowledge and tools they need to develop healthy relationships. And while we are proud of the impact we’ve made, we know there is still much work to do.

To support this work, we’re launching the 4th Annual Knowledge is Power: Fundraising Initaitive, a three-part giving campaign that aligns with key aspects of our work and in the lives of the students we serve: 1. Back to School - Support the start of our fall prevention education programming in schools across the region.

2. Empty Place at the Table - This annual event honors Jana’s life and the countless others impacted by relationship-based violence. Proceeds directly fund our prevention education efforts.

3. End-of-Year Giving - Ensuring we can continue to reach students in the upcoming year and continue to expand new prevention efforts.

Since the founding of Jana’s Campaign in 2009, personal donations from supporters have been the foundation of our work. Your generosity has allowed us to reach thousands of students, educators, and community members with life-changing and life-saving prevention education. We are grateful for your past support and proud to call you a partner in this work. We invite you to join us again this year. Each gift we receive helps us reach more students, prevent further harm, and honor Jana through meaningful action and culture change.

Stay connected with us!

www.JanasCampaign.org | JanasCampaign@gmail.com | 785-656-0324