Lawrence Community Shelter

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Lawrence, KS
Lawrence Community Shelter

Our mission, firmly rooted in human rights, is dedicated to developing compassionate and sustainable solutions towards permanent housing.

06/23/2026

✨ Registration is officially OPEN for the Light the Way 5K Fun Run! ✨

Join us on Saturday, September 19th at 6100 Rock Chalk Drive for this special fundraising event supporting Lawrence Community Shelter. The Fun Run will begin at 8:00 AM!

We are excited to bring our community together for a morning of movement, connection, and hope. Every step helps shine a light on our mission and supports our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, we can’t wait to see our community show up and help us Light the Way toward hope and housing. 💙

Register today and join us! Click here to register: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/130688/light-the-way-5k-fun-run

06/18/2026

(Part 2)

After spending time with our Direct Service Advocate Lyndsey learning about homelessness and the people we serve at the Lawrence Community Shelter, students at Langston Hughes Elementary were asked to put their thoughts on paper. What came back was extraordinary.

This poem was written by a fifth grader. Notice how much wisdom is packed into such few words. This student didn't just learn about homelessness - they understood something about it and turned it into art.

"Safety"
Cold, loud, lonely
the home is the street
sometimes you have no food to eat
Sometimes safety is all you need
A door that locks you out of fear
A bed that remembers your name
walls that can feel your pain
A night on a cold concrete street has no dignity
Why are homes not treated like air-
Something you don’t have to earn?
No one should have to dream for something as simple as something to eat-
or beg the world for a place to sleep
A home is a right, not a prize to complete
- Langston Hughes Elementary 5th grader

Thank you to the students, staff, and families of Langston Hughes Elementary for your compassion, generosity, and leadership. Your voices and your actions matter! 💙

06/16/2026

(Part 1)

What happens when you ask elementary students to imagine life without a home?

Recently, Lyndsey, one of our Direct Service Advocates and a graduate Social Work student at The University of Kansas, visited Langston Hughes Elementary to talk about homelessness, challenge stereotypes, and encourage students to see the world through a different lens.

She asked students some big questions: What would you take with you if you suddenly lost your home? What would you leave behind? What would happen to your pets?

The conversation sparked empathy, understanding, and action. Inspired by what they learned, the students organized a school-wide hygiene drive to support guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter. They also created a booklet of original poems reflecting on homelessness and the importance of having a safe place to call home.

Stay tuned - one fifth grader's poem describes homelessness better than most adults ever could. 💙

06/11/2026

✨ We are excited to announce our very first sponsor for the Light the Way 5K!

Thank you to Paul Davis Law Firm LLC for stepping forward as our inaugural sponsorship donor. Your early support sets an important foundation for this event and helps us move closer to our goal of raising critical funds and awareness for the individuals we serve at the Lawrence Community Shelter.

Being the first sponsor shows leadership and commitment to strengthening our community. We are grateful for your partnership and belief in this mission from the very beginning.

We are continuing to build momentum for the Light the Way 5K and look forward to welcoming additional sponsors and participants as we come together to make a meaningful impact. Thank you again to Paul Davis Law Firm LLC for helping light the way! Visit them at www.pauldavislaw.net ✨

06/09/2026

☀️ Please see our summer needs list!

As we head into summer, we're in need of a few essential items to help support our community. Donations of the following are greatly appreciated:

• Backpacks/suitcases/duffle bags
• Rain ponchos
• Razors
• Belts (men and women)
• Blankets/twin sheets
• Casual shoes or flip-flops

Donation Drop-Off Location:
3655 E. 25th St
Lawrence, KS 66046
Hours: Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM–6:00 PM

Every donation makes a difference. Thank you for helping us provide comfort, dignity, and practical support to those who need it most. 💙

06/05/2026

🌟 A huge thank you to The University of Kansas College Advocates for Relief and Empowerment (KU CARE) for their continued partnership and support of Lawrence Community Shelter!

This semester, KU CARE members dedicated countless hours to serving our guests through volunteer work, meal service, clothing organization, and operational support. Their team helped fold and organize more than 400 pounds of donated clothing and assisted with preparing a new clothing storage room for our shelter.

Most recently, KU CARE hosted their Big Dill Pickleball Tournament, raising $340 to support the purchase of hygiene kits and toiletries for our guests.

We are incredibly grateful for their compassion, energy, and commitment to our community. Thank you, KU CARE, for making a meaningful difference at LCS! 💙

06/03/2026

🌟 In case you missed it - something wonderful is coming!

Lace up your shoes and get ready to make an impact at the Light the Way 5K Fun Run - a fundraiser for the Lawrence Community Shelter!

DATE: Saturday, September 19th
TIME: 8:00 AM
LOCATION: Rock Chalk Park Trails

Together, we can “Light the Way” out of homelessness and create lasting change in the lives of those we serve. More details coming soon!

06/02/2026

Recently, our guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter received something truly special - free on site eye care made possible by Drs. Dobbins and Letourneau. Because of their generosity, our guests were able to access comprehensive eye exams, imaging and glasses at no cost!

We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the care they brought to our guests. This is what it looks like to show up for our community in a meaningful way. Thank you Dr. Dobbins and Dr. Letourneau for helping our guests see more clearly - literally and figuratively! 💙

05/29/2026

We are so thankful for Anchored Collective Inc for investing in our team! This kind of partnership is what makes our community stronger! 💙

05/28/2026

We are so grateful for Alyse, a student at The University of Kansas, whose heart for others is making an impact in our community.

Inspired by a similar project she organized back home in Nebraska, Alyse brought together family and friends to create and donate 100 hygiene kits for our shelter guests. She even took the time to connect with us beforehand to make sure every kit was thoughtfully tailored to our guests’ needs!

Acts of kindness like Alyse’s help us create a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for the people we serve each day. Thank you, Alyse, for your generosity, compassion, and dedication to helping others! 💙

Address

3655 E 25th Street
Lawrence, KS
66046

Telephone

+17858328864

Website

http://www.lawrenceshelter.org/

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