บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Ep #327- Upstream and Downstream: A Conversation on Growth and Homelessness

00:03:38.960 He's not as old, apparently, according to this. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:39.439 Okay. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:41.759 So they're reading from uh J. 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:42.159 R. 00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:42.400 R. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:44.400 Tolkien's uh Lord of the Rings stuff here. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:45.520 He's 33, by the way. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:46.800 So I don't know how they do that. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:50.240 But we know Mike Shottle is almost an expert at this stuff. 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.039 Oh, I know. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:56.719 I'm pretty sure every weekly touch base I do with him has some kind of reference to Lord of the Rings. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:56.879 Yeah. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:00.240 So you both have appreciation for Elephant Day, yeah, Hobbit Day, kind of. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:00.639 Yeah. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:03.199 And so, but you will definitely have appreciation for this day. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:05.039 National Ice Cream Cone Day. 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:05.599 Uh-huh. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:06.080 Uh-huh. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:07.120 When it feels like fall. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:08.000 It doesn't matter. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:08.560 It doesn't. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:09.280 It doesn't matter. 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:10.000 It doesn't. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:12.240 But do you have a favorite kind of cone? 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:14.400 Uh yeah. 00:04:14.800 --> 00:04:15.360 Which is it? 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:16.560 Ones that hold the ice cream. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:19.439 Anything that holds ice cream until I'm done. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:20.480 I understand. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:21.519 I understand. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:24.079 Preferably just take the cone and throw it in a bowl. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:24.319 Yeah. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:25.040 Chop it up. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:26.959 Don't have to worry about it. 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:29.040 So uh so do you have a favorite cone? 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:29.600 I do. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:30.959 I like the sugar cones. 00:04:31.279 --> 00:04:32.399 This the skinnier ones. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:32.879 Uh-huh. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:35.519 Um that are really crunchy. 00:04:35.839 --> 00:04:38.879 I'm not a big fan of those old-fashioned ones. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.120 You know, the ones that you used to get as a kid. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:43.199 You and I used to get as a kid. 00:04:43.360 --> 00:04:43.519 Yeah. 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:44.560 Don't worry about it. 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:44.879 Okay. 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:45.759 I know which ones those are. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:47.040 The ones that taste like paper. 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:47.519 Yes. 00:04:47.920 --> 00:04:48.639 Exactly. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:57.439 But my I remember being little and my grandma, who loved those kinds of cones, they came out. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.879 I don't know if they came out when I was little or if they were already out, I don't know. 00:05:01.040 --> 00:05:06.560 But I remember her switching over the box of those to colored ones. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.160 And they came in green, red, and plain. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:17.360 And there was something about a green or a red ice cream cone that me mom made. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.800 That it tasted better. 00:05:19.040 --> 00:05:19.279 Yes. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:24.240 Even though it's because it's probably waxy and plastic particles everywhere. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:28.399 But yeah, I mean, that is something that can instantly bring me back to being little. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:28.639 Yeah. 00:05:28.800 --> 00:05:30.079 Is the colored ice cream cook. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:34.240 They taste about the same. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:34.720 That's right. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:34.959 Yeah. 00:05:35.279 --> 00:05:36.399 They will survive the apocalypse. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:39.360 We have some other important things coming up this weekend. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:42.319 Um we will have what's called the Open Skies event. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:42.560 Yeah. 00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:45.600 And that is going to be at Evergy Plaza, 6 p.m. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:46.720 to 9 p.m. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:49.759 Um, so it's going to have plenty of room for everybody to come. 00:05:49.920 --> 00:05:53.680 Uh praying that the rain holds off or goes away during that time. 00:05:53.839 --> 00:06:05.360 But it's an evening of worship and community music featuring contemporary Christian group of Bethel Music, Jen Johnson, and uh then um award-winning Christian hip hop artist, KB. 00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:05.600 Yeah. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.560 Isn't that incredible? 00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.199 KB? 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:07.839 No, I don't. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:08.000 Okay. 00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:08.720 I don't think I do. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:09.439 Me either. 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:10.800 So, but I'm gonna find out. 00:06:11.199 --> 00:06:11.360 Yeah. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:15.519 So um, yeah, I'm still in the the Blackwood brothers and all that kind of thing. 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:18.639 But uh anyway, uh and there's no charge. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:20.319 And so everybody come. 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:25.040 Um it's one of those things that really continues to spot light downtown. 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:29.199 And uh this one is one of those times that we can really come together and hear great things. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:32.959 I heard John Cantrell's gonna be speaking and giving his testimony and some others. 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:35.839 So and we might find out a little bit more about that here in a few minutes with our guests. 00:06:36.240 --> 00:06:36.959 Yeah, we might. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:41.040 So, Lamanda, uh, we also want to talk about October 11th. 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:41.360 Yes. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.120 So, what's happening October 11th, 6 to 7 30 p.m.? 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:45.839 Yes.

00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:52.480 So on October 11th, doors will open at 5 30 is TRM's fourth annual night of praise. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:07:00.319 Um, it is going to be at Fairlawn Nazarene Church this year instead of Fellowship Bible Church. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:10.160 So we're really grateful for FBC the past three years for hosting us and really thankful for Pastor Jeff and his team at Fairlawn Nazarene Church to host us this year. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:12.720 Uh, but the team has been working really hard. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:13.839 We're really excited. 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:16.879 It's going to be um again, doors open at 5 30. 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:23.360 We really encourage people to come then because there's going to be quite the experience before the program even starts. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:30.480 Uh this year we're doing things a little bit different, and pretty much every part of TRM is going to be represented in the lobby. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:32.480 So I'll just leave that at that. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:40.720 So we want you to come and uh check out the different departments and really ways that God is working at the Topeka Rescue Mission every day. 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:56.639 You know, we've joked and said before that our slogan really should switch from faith with our sleeves rolled up to I had no idea because of the amount of times people, when they come for the tours, they don't realize the multifaceted areas of TRM. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:00.079 So hopefully this will be a great time before the program starts. 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:05.839 The program will consist of some pretty neat um uh sections. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:18.480 I don't want to say a whole lot, uh, but you're gonna learn about TRM, you're gonna hear about testimonies, but it's actually gonna be uh a way where the audience is gonna be participating as well and engaged. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:20.240 So looking forward to that. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:27.360 Um, the night will also consist of two different worship sets, and so it'll be a time for hopefully the whole night is worship, right? 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:32.960 Not just the singing, but we'll have two designated slots for uh singing worship as well. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:35.840 And uh then we'll wrap up around 7:30. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:37.120 So want everybody to come out. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:38.799 It's gonna be a mystery this year. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.480 Okay, yeah, you all want to come. 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:44.000 So make sure you hit Saturday night, this Saturday night, and then also October 11th. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:48.000 Yes, and we are still uh taking sponsorships. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.480 So the Topeka Rescue Mission, this is our only fundraiser that we put on. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:58.240 So it's our annual fundraiser, and um we are hopeful to gain recurring donors. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:08.720 We are hopeful um to really the the challenge that I'm gonna be giving is really to spend 2027 spreading awareness of the Topeka Rescue Mission. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.000 So excited about that. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:15.039 But we do have a sponsorship goal of raising 20,000 in sponsorships. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:25.919 Um that's a way where we hope the night is a night of giving God glory, but it is too pronged because we do need it to be a successful fundraiser. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:37.440 Uh, but one of the ways where we're trying not to over-emphasize the money fundraising part is we said, you know what, our team's gonna work really hard to gain sponsorships. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:47.120 That's a way that we can still be utilizing this as a fundraiser, but also not overshadowing uh the faith piece and giving God glory the night of. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:52.320 So um we are about 55 to 60 percent of our goal. 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.080 Uh we got a couple more weeks. 00:09:54.240 --> 00:10:07.919 And so uh if anybody's interested in sponsorships, they can go to our website, trmonline.org, or they can call the phone number uh 785-354-1744 and ask for Miss Miranda. 00:10:08.159 --> 00:10:10.000 She will help them with all of that. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:10.799 Very good. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:16.320 So a couple of great events um very soon, and so also on the night of praise. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:23.679 If you uh want to attend, it's free, but encouraged to bring a canned good um so that it can help feed our hungry and our community. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:36.799 Well, we have a uh quite a variety of people who are a part of our community or mission as our guests, and so uh we've had people who have uh living on the streets, to have been housed, to work at the rescue mission, work in our community. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:40.240 We've had leaders, uh police chiefs, fire chiefs, and so on and so forth. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:44.639 We're delighted today that we have the CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.080 The Greater Topeka Partnership. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:46.879 We're gonna learn about that. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:50.159 Molly Howie, welcome to our community, our mission. 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:50.720 Thank you. 00:10:50.799 --> 00:10:51.360 Thanks for having me. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.120 I'm excited to have this discussions for you. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:54.559 Yeah, so are we, so are we. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:11:02.080 So uh, Molly, talk about the Greater Topeka Partnership for those that um don't know what it is or how it got going. 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:07.440 And uh we've um heard about Chambers of Commerce and uh Go Topeka and different things like that. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:09.120 So, what is the partnership? 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.159 Yeah, yeah. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:17.039 Well, the partnership is fairly new and is pretty unique in our structure compared to other communities. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:18.399 You mentioned the Chamber of

Commerce. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:24.799 Of course, we've had the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce um for a long time, a hundred plus years in our community. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:32.960 Um the other you mentioned is Go Topeka, that's the economic development organization for Topeka and Shawnee County, and that's existed since uh about 2000. 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:41.120 Um those organizations were always kind of housed together and shared some back office operations and some leadership positions. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:58.480 Um but then but then historically we had had the Convention and Visitors Bureau Visit Topeka and downtown Topeka that were partner organizations, um, but located in different facilities, had separate staff, separate boards, separate um everything. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:15.919 And um, gosh, uh about oh 10 to 12 years ago, the community um actually Go Topeka had commissioned uh uh an expert to come into town and talk about what the next economic development strategy should look like. 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:29.840 And during that time, a few days that uh that this this expert was in town, um, he gleaned some really, really interesting um information through communications with different community partners. 00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:31.279 And some of you may have been part of that. 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.320 I don't, I don't know. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:35.600 Um, that just we were overorganized. 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:48.159 There were a lot of people that were doing some very similar things that could probably be more efficient and elevate each other's work if we if we came together um physically and and shared some resources too. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:13:00.960 So um the Greater Topeka Partnership was born, and those four entities I mentioned, go Topeka, the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Topeka, and downtown Topeka are the four main founding entities uh that make up the Greater Topeka Partnership. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:12.399 So now in our community, when you become a member of what used to be being a member of the of the Chamber of Commerce or even a member of Downtown Topeka Inc., you just become a member of the partnership and you're you get all of us. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:15.200 Um so it's it's easier that way. 00:13:15.440 --> 00:13:20.559 Uh sometimes does create a little confusion from the outside of who's doing what, but really we don't care. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:25.759 Once you touch that that web, you get in, we'll figure out who you who you need to get connected to. 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:29.759 So we're trying to, you know, that's that's another way we're trying to simplify things. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:38.320 But um, so each of those entities still is their own separate 501c6, separate boards of directors, separate dedicated staff, separate funding. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:46.960 But then the efficiencies really come in and sharing our space, sharing our back office operations of communications, marketing, admin, and finance. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:56.159 So instead of all those organizations farming that workout or partnering with an outside vendor or having dedicated staff in the office, we share that team. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:58.240 Still very much separate, but together. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:58.639 Yeah. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:14:02.879 Um, autonomy of their own organizations, own boards, own directors. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.440 Yep. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:07.039 Um so you mentioned the word economic development. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:07.519 Uh-huh. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:10.879 And so some people know what that means. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.320 What's the value of economic? 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:13.679 What is economic development? 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.480 Why is it important? 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.120 Right. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:18.639 So, you know, every community looks at economic development differently. 00:14:18.879 --> 00:14:28.000 And um, the size of our community makes us um target economic development maybe in a different way as far as what our primary target is. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:35.759 But economic development really is wealth building in the community that then creates opportunities for access to that wealth. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:15:00.480 Um, and that's in the way of bringing in new employers, high-quality employers that that um can create opportunities for jobs for our citizens, and then also create people that then have disposable income to support those other um kind of tertiary employers that we don't really we don't really work to recruit, you know, fast food restaurants and stuff like that. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:10.000 We're we're we're focused on economic development really is focused on what's called primary employers, um, which create the the biggest multiplier effect in the economy. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:14.720 And that is employers that are bringing in the majority of their revenue from outside the community. 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:17.600 So they're helping to grow the pie here in our community. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:27.039 Um, because we know that that induces uh the indirect effect of of the other um industries and employers that that are connected to those. 00:15:27.519 --> 00:15:34.639 So some of those uh bigger employers also need the smaller employers to be able to support some people that live here, work here, yeah. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:39.600 Uh have another thing to go to other than just the big the big organizations. 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.320 Right, right. 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:46.720 And we we know that that focusing on those primary employers helps to create the rest of the ecosystem. 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:51.200 Um and so not that those other pieces aren't important, but you know, getting down in the weeds. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:56.080 A lot of people think that GoTopeka is responsible for bringing in, you know, Kava or something like that. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:02.799

No, no, Kava came because they know that their business model will work here based on the economics and the um the customers that they need. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:03.919 So it does help them. 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:12.639 Uh the smaller mom and pop shops or smaller chains or whatever to say this is a good place to invest because there's other things economically going on here. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.679 Right, right. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.519 So, okay, well, thank you. 00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:17.840 That's a good explanation of that. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:20.960 So who can be a part of the Greater Topeka partnership? 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:23.759 Aaron Powell Well, it depends on how you define a part. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:30.480 Um, I think our our goal is to create access to opportunities for all. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:36.159 Um that all is a really, you know, capitalized, bold, underlined word. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:40.399 And and we understand that, you know, there's a lot of things that we don't see. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:42.879 You all see so many things that we don't. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:53.440 And so being a part could look like being a board member, could look like being a committee member, a volunteer, or um, you know, somebody that we just have regular conversations with. 00:16:53.600 --> 00:17:08.400 And and it's really important that we keep our eyes wide open to who should be involved with the partnership and who hasn't had a chance and make sure that we're always looking around that table and saying, okay, these folks we're used to having around the table. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.359 Who are we missing? 00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:19.039 Um so that we're having conversations about the community with the community members that we're we're trying to impact and trying to make improvement for. 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:22.160 So thank you. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.440 That's that's a good explanation. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:28.400 So, Molly, yourself, you've been involved with economic growth and development for quite some time. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:38.559 And so um before the partnership, before you got into position you're in, you were involved in what capacity with the partnership, and then what does it mean to be CEO? 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:39.200 Okay. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:49.279 Um, so let's see, I have been with the the organization for just over 14 years, um, been the CEO for right out a year. 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:55.599 So the previous 13 plus years, I was with GoTopeka on the economic development side. 00:17:55.920 --> 00:18:09.920 And um I held various roles and uh kind of started in the behind-the-scenes research and doing data analysis and website development and all the things and just kind of took on more and more. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:17.200 Um so when I became president of GoTopeka, I thought kind of I understand, you know, I I get what we're trying to do. 00:18:17.359 --> 00:18:27.440 Um, and and I did, but becoming CEO a year ago opened your eyes to how holistic the work that we do is and should be. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:34.880 Um because as I talk about economic development, that's the that is the kind of tactical approach to things, right? 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:38.880 But there's there's much more to what the Greater Topeka Partnership should be doing. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:43.359 We have to be a good place um to attract those companies and to attract the workers. 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:46.960 And that's not always um a black and white thing. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:48.880 It's not always about the numbers, right? 00:18:48.960 --> 00:19:03.279 It's about beautification, it's about um opportunities for belonging, it's about celebrating our culture, it's about so many other things that I didn't get to experience on the economic development side because it's it was so focused on the black and white numbers piece of it. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:08.880 So um just from the strategy perspective perspective, that's a little, a little glimpse into the difference. 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:18.160 But of course, then you know, um CEO means that I don't get to, I I can no longer say, well, that's not econom, that's not legal aim, that's not my problem, that's not my circus. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:48.160 Um it's it's it's really um, you know, there's not much in the community that goes on that that we don't try to learn about um or shouldn't be trying to learn about in in our organization, and that all comes um you know up to the to the leadership level and making sure that uh we're we're responsible and accountable to those partnerships and that awareness and uh the constant learning attitude uh that we need to have in our organization. 00:19:48.319 --> 00:19:50.400 Aaron Powell The Better Together model is what you've done. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:53.039 But you've also set some benchmarks. 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:57.839 Um you've had a uh plan, uh I don't remember the years they're attached to. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:59.279 So you went through one plan. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:19:59.680 Yep. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:02.799 Uh you're into the second plan, if I understand correctly. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:04.480 Aaron Powell, we're just getting ready to start the third. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:06.400 So we had Momentum 2022. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:16.079 Um that was the first plan that was really um open to the community and really asked for the whole community to be a part of that. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:23.839 So it was really exciting, and everybody was, you know, it's a bright and shiny thing, and and lots of people wanted to be around that table and got a got a uh an opportunity to do that. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:25.839 And then we had Momentum 2027. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:31.039 That was a lot of like, we didn't get this done in 2022, let's work on it in 2027. 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:34.880 A lot, you know, it takes a while to move the needle on some of

those things. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:38.640 Now we're getting ready to start the next strategy, which does not have a name yet. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.400 It will not be momentum anything. 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:42.480 And I don't even know if we'll put a number on it. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.359 We'll see. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:52.240 Um and so we're starting that next five-year strategy work, and I really want it to feel like we have cleared the deck, we're starting fresh. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:21:06.880 And there may be some things that that get held over, but I want to reinvigorate the the community around dreaming about what we can be and get back to that spirit of when we first started Momentum 2022. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:10.799 Um, how excited, how excited everyone was to be a part of it. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:13.279 Um so we just started that work a couple weeks ago. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:19.680 Um, Miriam was part of some of those conversations, and I'm sure she'll continue to be, and and um the rest of you probably as well. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:26.960 Um it's really about just dreaming and and and then we've got to get realistic about it too, right? 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:39.519 I mean, it's it's it's it's all fine and dandy to have these big visions and dreams, but then that those plans, we we have a full implementation plan with who's responsible for what and very transparent about the metrics and what's working well and what's not. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:44.480 What are you happy most about with the momentum 2022 and now the 27? 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:46.960 What what are those kind of things you say, man, we we got there? 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.680 Right. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:52.319 Um You know, some of the metrics are are we're never gonna check the box, right? 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:59.759 We're never gonna be at the level of um GDP growth or reduction in poverty that we need to do. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.559 We can always, you know, change those metrics. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:14.559 Uh, I think one of the things we made get great strides on that we're all very proud of, and everyone in the community had a part in, is we have made a a noticeable difference in our community pride. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.720 It some days it doesn't feel like that. 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:19.039 Um, you know, we have to be honest with ourselves. 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:34.559 But when we measure and look at the community and how many more defenders of the community we have and people that are willing to speak up about the positive stuff and willing to put, you know, uh put real time and energy and dollars into making our community better. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:37.279 I think that that really has changed over the past 10 years. 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:43.359 And we're not um, you know, comparing ourselves to our neighboring communities as much anymore. 00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:47.119 Um and and we're proud about being, you know, our own unique selves. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:52.720 There's been some recognitions nationally about Topeka in regards to a place to live and some different things like that. 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:57.440 Talk a little bit about some of those that outsiders have said this is a good place to go to. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.240 Right. 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:00.720 You know, some of the I'm a I'm a native, right? 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:04.640 I grew up in a a little town south of here, but Topeka's always been my city. 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:10.480 And I think sometimes the natives take for granted the good things that we have. 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:23.599 You know, our cost of living, our cost of doing business, the fact that we have friendly people and people that just want to talk to you and have a conversation in the grocery store, that's not that's not something that you see all around the country. 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:28.000 And if you don't travel or haven't lived somewhere else, maybe you may not realize the value of that. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:46.319 And that God, it's just sounds a little, a little cliche and a little cheesy, but the American dream, even though we do have very serious issues with affordability compared to the rest of the United States, there's still a glimmer of hope for the American dream here in Topeka, Kansas. 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:48.079 I think, I think we are not far off. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.640 We we need to make some changes, that's for sure. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:54.559 But um it we're a great place to raise a family. 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:56.000 We have amazing school districts. 00:23:56.079 --> 00:24:01.440 And this is stuff that you know a lot of communities try to say, but we actually have the numbers and the data to back it up. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:04.640 Like we have we have really great resources here in our community. 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:21.920 And we have a ton of um, you know, nonprofit partners that are really doing their part and trying to move the needle on um issues that maybe other communities just kind of say, well, everybody's dealing with that. 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:23.920 And I mean, you guys are one of them. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:36.720 Uh and so um just I think we really all do have a great passion for the majority have a great passion for for making our our city a better Topeka. 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:42.960 Um not trying to be somebody else, just trying to be better every day, just one little, you know, incremental change every day. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:45.039 So I don't even remember what your original question was. 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:49.039 I've just got the celebrations, what are the milestones that you've really happy about? 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.759 Yeah, yeah. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.079 Yeah. 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:55.680 I mean others are, you know, the black and white stuff like we talked about with job growth and and wage growth and things like that.

00:24:55.759 --> 00:25:01.440 But the the um identity, uh self-identity of this community. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:05.279 Um, like any community, can either be good or not so good. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.599 Yeah. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:13.039 And I think there's been some things that uh from my perspective, being a native, um, there's many things we've had to overcome in our community. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:23.279 There has been some people have been very disappointed from years and years ago, decades ago, of things the way that their neighborhoods were treated were promised this, promised that, didn't happen. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:29.759 And so that passes on to generation, and to say, hey, hey, we're here to save the day, that's nobody just jumps on board with that. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.640 You have to prove yourself. 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.119 Yeah. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.559 And so I think you're right. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:41.920 I think that there is a progression in the right direction towards a better identity that we don't have to say, hey, you gotta go to this other town to do things. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.319 Now, that said, still room to grow, right? 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:44.720 Right. 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.839 Always, always still. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.640 Still room to grow. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.839 I don't want to dominate this conversation. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:51.920 Merriam, you're involved at a at a uh uh involvement level board level. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.720 Absolutely. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:57.440 I'm on the DTI board, the downtown Topeka board, and it's been it's been fascinating. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:08.079 Um and I think it really comes though, you know, we we are also very active in Noto because of being the only uh emergency shelter for homelessness. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:13.519 Um we have an opportunity to help in those areas, right? 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:18.640 To help educate folks uh about what homelessness really looks like. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:22.559 Um we have the opportunity to engage with those kinds of things. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:44.000 Lamanda has been really, I think, instrumental in making sure that we are able to recognize the impact that homelessness can have on businesses, both in NOTO and downtown, kind of all over with some of the policy changes that the city has made, that homelessness has kind of spread. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:47.200 Um people have been a little more scattered. 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:54.799 Um and so it's been it's been really wonderful to be able to be a part of the conversation and to hear what that is. 00:26:54.960 --> 00:27:09.039 Uh the the work that um is done in Noto and downtown with business owners and trying to help them recognize situations and how to best handle those situations, I think is key. 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:12.160 Um so it's been it's been wonderful to be a part that way. 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:17.519 And I

think I've seen, so I came back to Topeka in 2008. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:23.839 Oh my gosh, it's that just kind of freaks me out when I say 2008 and go, that's a very long time ago. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.839 Anyway, I digress. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:31.680 Um downtown is so different, Noto is so different. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:44.559 All of these things that I think are some of the outputs of Molly, what you were talking about with the pride people have or the pride that we're willing to express about um Topeka, I think is is really very evident. 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:50.960 I think the collaboration with TRM is an effort that has come out of the momentum projects. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:28:15.119 I think, you know, and not necessarily directly and maybe not as tangible as job growth and some of those things, but I think there has been relationship building that has come out of the momentum work that is what helps carry other things forward, not just not just those very specific metrics that are easier to measure, um, but just in this bigger picture. 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:24.640 Yeah, one of the things we talked about in our uh strategy sessions a couple weeks ago was just the accessibility of one another and the accessibility of decision makers. 00:28:25.119 --> 00:28:29.440 So we're a a a small big city or big spot, however you want to say it. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:42.880 Um, and the fact that you can, you know, start that relationship, whether it's in a very targeted, you know, discussion or what, but then you know, next week you may just call that person or text the mayor and say, hey, we're talking about this. 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:45.920 And that doesn't happen in a lot of communities our size. 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:51.519 The accessibility and just the willingness to just jump on the phone or meet for coffee and talk about things is something that's really awesome. 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:53.039 That takes relationship build. 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:53.200 Yeah. 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.039 And relationships just don't happen. 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:55.519 Right. 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.799 They are cultivated. 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:59.279 But you got to get in front of each other and have that opportunity. 00:28:59.359 --> 00:29:02.960 And not everybody wants to do that or has time to do that, or sees a value in that. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:05.759 But when you do that, then you can say, Hey, Miriam. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:06.000 Yeah. 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.839 Or hey Lamanda, hey Molly. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:10.640 Hey, we we need to talk about something, or can we talk about something? 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.279 Right. 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:19.440 So when we think about economic development and all the efforts that you put into this, and you mentioned about being the CEO, nothing's not on your plate. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:19.920 Right. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:22.720 So everything is right, Lamanda? 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.799 Everything is on your plate. 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:39.680 So when people are investing their resources, their time, their efforts to help grow the economic engine of Topeka, whether it's a small business or a large business or somewhere in between, um, there's a there's a lot of challenges in all that. 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:44.000 Um just normal challenges in regards to is my product gonna sell? 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:45.440 Am I gonna get the right people? 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:47.119 You know, all that kind of stuff. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:57.440 Uh then there's things that happen economically we didn't plan on, and uh recessions and this is and that's and the other things, and wars and prices going up and whatnot. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:30:08.000 Um of the things that we find is that um many people don't want another thing to have to think about and another challenge and another problem. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:12.319 Um at the same time, uh we want to we want people to take care of problems. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:20.240 We want crime to go away, we want the homeless to go away, we want this to go away, we don't want to f face those things because we're too busy doing what we're doing for good reasons. 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:44.400 What do you see from your position with the partnership and looking at the bigger picture of Topeka and how does the issue of a growing number of unsheltered homeless, what uh deemed oftentimes the chronic homeless, knowing that Topeka Rescue Mission is full almost all the time, um, that this issue since the pandemic has um increased significantly. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:56.880 And um, you know, people who are really trying to do their job have homeless individuals maybe around their business, around their neighborhoods, or whatever, and they feel uncomfortable and oftentimes they want somebody just to fix it. 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:59.039 And when it's not just a fix. 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:02.240 So in your world, what are you hearing? 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:05.680 And what are your thoughts and what do you think we can do? 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:10.160 Yeah, look, my world is um is not your world. 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:28.799 So the things that I hear are are what you mentioned with, you know, gosh, so-and-so's, you know, outside my business and you know, deterring customers, or um, you know, we've got four shopping carts that are blocking the sidewalk and very, you know, um day-to-day issues. 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:37.519 Uh I don't what I don't hear is people talking about solutions that are upstream. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:45.039 I don't I don't get to be in the conversations that you all are sitting around the table saying, how do we how do we fix the root of this issue? 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:45.279 Right. 00:31:45.359 --> 00:32:26.720 I'm at the other side of it where people are just saying, I don't know, we have this, this is what happened today because and and so I I don't I don't hear um

people sitting around talking about, gosh, how do we how do we help that person so that they don't have four shopping carts, you know, and how do we make sure that there isn't another um you know episode of of s of someone outside of a business because they don't have the resources to to you know um gosh to to stop the the um issues that they may be dealing with, whether it's substance abuse or mental health, you know, um episode or or what have you. 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:40.079 So um I wish that we, you know, had more time or that people would make more time, I guess, for those intentional conversations to get at the root of the issue. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:45.519 Um, because it's the biggest thing in the in you know in their day when something happens like that. 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:54.240 Um But we are like you mentioned, we're busy people, so that's not an excuse, but I'm just the reality of it is is that like anything in your day, right? 00:32:54.559 --> 00:33:09.359 It's sometimes the proactive or the the maintenance and the the um the assistance that needs to happen before it gets to um a visible issue, people don't make time for that. 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:11.839 And um I don't know how to fix that issue. 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:22.720 Well, I'm not sure anybody does, but I think I think to your recognition of not just focusing on the problem that's found itself downstream right now, that that has to be addressed. 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:23.279 Yeah. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:27.839 But what are we doing about going upstream to say what's happened here? 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:31.200 Um people don't normally choose to be homeless. 00:33:31.359 --> 00:33:31.680 Right. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:38.400 People never choose to be mentally ill or addicted or or or the case might be. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:51.039 So what has happened that those particular situations have occurred in their lives, then because we don't have systems for everybody for everything, then sometimes they end up on a doorstep for a business or in a neighborhood or something like that. 00:33:51.200 --> 00:34:00.400 And so that's encouraging that you recognize that um and recognize also that somehow, some way we need to go upstream. 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:03.839 So that's not your lane, so to speak, with the economic development. 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:09.920 It's Topeka Rescue Missions Lane, it's United Ways Lane, it's compassion strategies, number of different organizations. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.800 It's a lane. 00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:21.440 In your opinion, how do we bring that together so that it's not it's almost kind of like well, the partnership has come together to drive the economic engine in a more efficient way. 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:32.639 So the nonprofits are working together to do kind of the same thing in different realms of coming together on frequent um levels, uh to say the least, around the homeless issue. 00:34:32.800 --> 00:34:37.280 Um, and also send some benchmarks to try to achieve certain things by a certain time. 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:44.960 So that there is, and obviously you got a Miriam involved, and then you know, and she's involved with downtown and and and no-toe and Lamanda's out there all the time. 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:53.119 In your opinion, how do we help the economic folks to be a part of this and realize they can't quit their day job? 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:54.159 Yeah. 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:55.840 That's a hard question. 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:57.519 That is a hard question. 00:34:57.760 --> 00:35:05.599 Um gosh, you know, I think most people recognize that somebody's working on that. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:15.599 And you you named off the organizations that are working, and that, you know, I think people's excuse maybe, and I think it's a somewhat valid one, is that we don't know. 00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:18.079 We don't have the expertise to do that work. 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:36.639 But maybe it's more of an open conversation with just saying we don't we don't do what you all do every day, but help us understand how if there's anything that is in our wheelhouse that can affect your work or elevate your work or remove a barrier, what does that look like? 00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:45.119 And so I think it's, I mean, uh this is this is just step one, but just more regular communication and awareness of what each other are doing. 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:52.079 I believe just that that that will organically just help us understand one another. 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:57.440 And I know that sounds really squishy, so I'm not trying to dodge your question, but I I don't think that's a squishy answer. 00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:00.880 I think it's a realistic answer because it goes back to relationship again. 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.440 Yeah, it does. 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:17.119 Who do you know that you can talk to that's not just a superficial relationship with that you can understand each other's responsibilities, your goals, your hopes, your ambitions, and how do those intersect with each other, just like you've done with the partnership, to bring that together? 00:36:17.280 --> 00:36:22.239 Um, how can we do that also with this area that a lot of people really don't want to have to deal with? 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:22.719 Right. 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:34.000 You know, and so some of us are um very um sure this is our assignment while we're here on the earth uh to do this is um different than your assignment. 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:35.920 How do we then complement those assignments? 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:42.400 Right so that we help all of our neighbors so that it really is a prosperity for all uh in our community. 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:42.719 Yeah. 00:36:42.880 --> 00:36:45.199 And so that takes relationships. 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:46.639 So it's not a squishy answer at all. 00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:47.599 I think it's just realistic. 00:36:47.679 --> 00:36:49.679 Lamanda,

come on, jump into this. 00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:51.199 Which part? 00:36:52.000 --> 00:37:10.719 You know, I think back, so I've been at the Topeka Rescue Mission for five years and been in this role four and a half, and not to digress so much about the history or where we've started, but we've come a long ways in that four years. 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:16.800 Um, you know, at one time, Molly, I'm not sure if you're aware, but TRM wasn't at the table. 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.199 Yeah. 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:24.719 And we were excluded from significant um economic development. 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:33.920 I mean, process, meetings happening, consultants coming in, and and to the point where plans were released that removed TRM from it. 00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.320 Yep. 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:36.800 And then I'm being contacted by media. 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:41.440 What's my comment that to speak a rescue mission is not included in the no momentum plans? 00:37:41.599 --> 00:37:41.760 Right. 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:49.920 So I say that to say, to encourage the community that things were rocky, very rocky. 00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:57.599 Lots of distrust, a lot of what I would say is not professional, definitely not these authentic relationships that you talk about. 00:37:57.840 --> 00:38:02.559 And yet, in four and a half years, look how far we've come. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:08.800 That ship changed to now being invited to have people on y'all's boards. 00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:16.320 And um, we have group mees now for downtown and Noto that the Topeka Rescue Mission is a part of. 00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:37.039 And then what business owners in both areas might not know is then when there are concerns that merchants have, I'm either able to deploy a team or I'm the bridge to Astra or to the CIC or TPD's MOU with us, the co-responders, those kinds of things. 00:38:37.280 --> 00:39:09.280 And so to see how far we've come where there was a time where a huge part of our economic development in the work that we do wasn't even acknowledged to now your organization and DTI and Noto and all this stuff, having us not only be able to understand the problems that y'all face, but for the most part, not all, but for the most part, merchants realizing that we are trying to be a part of the solution and we're trying to help them be a part of the solution too. 00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:31.039 To me, that's why it's so important that um, I'm gonna speak to leaders for just a second, that all of us leaders are authentic because we don't need to stay rooted in the past dysfunction, past hurt, past whatever, that when we acknowledge, hey, we gotta do better, I'm sorry for this part, I'm sorry for this part, and we do it. 00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:33.119 To me, that's authentic leadership. 00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:41.679 And so from DTI leadership, GTP, um, NOTO, all of that, it was like, okay, we have to do things differently. 00:39:41.840 --> 00:39:43.920 There's so much misunderstanding. 00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:48.159 I would read stuff that I allegedly said, I never said, all these things. 00:39:48.400 --> 00:39:54.960 So I'm really proud of our community in how much we have then moved forward. 00:39:55.199 --> 00:40:00.480 Um, I think we still have a long ways to go, but I think that should always be our spirit. 00:40:00.719 --> 00:40:04.079 I think we should always be driven to do better than the day before. 00:40:04.320 --> 00:40:20.159 And so I'm thankful because now, even through the group meetings to gain an understanding of what a merchant feels, I take that as that's then my responsibility to see what is TRM's part in helping that. 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:34.400 But I also have to have the respect of merchants that when I say, this is not something I can assist with, or this is not something that's in the scope of TRM, that they understand, okay, nine out of 10 times she is able to help us. 00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:36.079 She is listening, she is that. 00:40:36.320 --> 00:40:38.000 But then it doesn't stop there. 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:45.760 You know, I'm messaging, I mean, Barry, I think you've gotten three messages from me in the last seven days of concerns about individuals and all of that. 00:40:46.000 --> 00:41:00.079 So even if I'm not able to assist in that moment, the people that are doing these proactive solutions and trying to go upstream, I'm trying to be y'all's voice so that they hear the concerns that merchants are facing. 00:41:00.159 --> 00:41:00.320 Yeah. 00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:08.719 And so to me, there's power in just kind of being that bridge to I don't have all the solutions and sometimes I can't deploy a team. 00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:10.960 Or sometimes a merchant might be wrong. 00:41:11.039 --> 00:41:16.719 You know, it's not illegal for someone who appears dirty to sit on a bench. 00:41:17.679 --> 00:41:21.679 That person's able to sit there just like I could in my heels in a dress, right? 00:41:21.920 --> 00:41:34.239 So this understanding of man, I care about what merchants face, and I'm trying to help move TRM in a way that blends with that and is collaborative. 00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:43.920 But then there's also some times where I have to be able to be honest with those stakeholders and be like, people sitting on benches is happening everywhere, right? 00:41:44.239 --> 00:42:13.760 Um, so I'm proud of how much progress we've made in the last four and a half years, excited to see what that looks like as trust continues to be built and for us to not have to have fluffy conversations, but that they can be honest, but they can also be respectful and they can be collaborative and with a spirit of I'm gonna be honest with this issue so that we can somehow be unified in the approach we're gonna take. 00:42:13.920 --> 00:42:17.280 So I'm proud of our community and I'm proud of TRM's role in that. 00:42:18.480 --> 00:42:21.920 Yeah, I think you know, uh we all want somebody to fix a

problem. 00:42:22.400 --> 00:42:24.800 And uh, you know, that's where I'm even guilty of that. 00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:25.039 Yeah. 00:42:25.760 --> 00:42:27.119 That's why they created 911. 00:42:27.599 --> 00:42:29.199 I got a cat in a tree, come get my cat out. 00:42:29.760 --> 00:42:30.719 That's not our job. 00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:38.000 But um one of the maybe the things that has been a positive and a negative, and uh Miriam, you can attest to this. 00:42:38.159 --> 00:42:43.599 Um there was a time when you came back to Topeka that you didn't see too many homeless folks out on the streets. 00:42:44.079 --> 00:42:46.719 Well, it I n the yes, that was part of it. 00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:55.119 But what was so stunning to me coming back to Kansas from California in particular was nobody knew where the homeless were. 00:42:55.360 --> 00:42:55.840 Right. 00:42:56.239 --> 00:43:05.519 Like maybe under a bridge, maybe I mean it was just so fascinating in 2008 to be having a conversation where people had no idea where the homeless were. 00:43:05.599 --> 00:43:11.760 Aaron Ross Powell And the numbers were more manageable, and there was a place called Topeka Rescue Mission that they could kind of be over there in Ordineka. 00:43:11.920 --> 00:43:15.920 Um, and that was uh just fine with everybody, but that didn't changed. 00:43:16.159 --> 00:43:18.639 Yeah, it changed the the the pandemic and things that we talked about. 00:43:19.039 --> 00:43:19.840 Where awareness grew. 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:20.159 Trevor Burrus, Jr. 00:43:20.400 --> 00:43:21.920 Awareness, but there's a bigger number. 00:43:22.239 --> 00:43:23.119 Yeah, there is more. 00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:26.880 The shelter can only hold so many, and there's more people here. 00:43:26.960 --> 00:43:34.159 I mean, when we look at what happened prior to 2019 when they cleaned out Tent City, there was 130 people in one spot that were unsheltered. 00:43:34.480 --> 00:43:36.480 Rescue mission's full, it's pretty close to them. 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:41.760 And so that was an indicator that, you know, mm, we've got some problems here in the community. 00:43:42.079 --> 00:43:43.199 Make it go away. 00:43:43.440 --> 00:43:48.000 And so, sorry, it will go away from here, but it shows up over somewhere else. 00:43:48.239 --> 00:43:48.480 Yeah. 00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:59.840 And so I think the exciting thing that that that I'm gleaning before this conversation, even, is that there is a desire for this community of people who become aware and developer life. 00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:05.599 Relationships to say we want to be part of something that is good for everybody. 00:44:06.239 --> 00:44:12.079 And so we'll never see the time when there will not be another homeless person. 00:44:12.239 --> 00:44:12.480 Right. 00:44:13.440 --> 00:44:15.760 We will see lots of obstacles to that. 00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:23.440 To Lamanda's example of this woman or this person who may be on a bench and uh they need a shower. 00:44:24.159 --> 00:44:26.320 Okay, maybe they're can legally do that. 00:44:26.480 --> 00:44:27.519 Why do they need a shower? 00:44:27.760 --> 00:44:29.039 Why aren't they have a shower? 00:44:29.440 --> 00:44:35.199 Maybe, you know, finding out those kind of things, going upstream, maybe they're housed, maybe they don't have any running water, those kind of things. 00:44:35.599 --> 00:44:42.559 So if we look at those things together, we will painfully become a better community together. 00:44:42.800 --> 00:44:54.800 And so I think uh to Lamanda's point, there's been a lot of forward progress in what you guys are doing at your partnership level, uh, your leadership now uh stepped into this role. 00:44:55.199 --> 00:44:58.079 You're very transparent about what it is and what it isn't. 00:44:58.159 --> 00:44:59.360 That's really refreshing. 00:44:59.760 --> 00:45:05.679 And um I think authentic relationships is what w can make the difference of people who are in these particular areas. 00:45:05.920 --> 00:45:06.400 Right, right. 00:45:06.719 --> 00:45:29.440 So from your perspective, what uh what do you think those that are working with the populations that we're talking about, the the chronically homeless, the people who are really struggling on the edge, what more or different can be done to be working together better with the economic development engine of Topeka? 00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:37.119 I feel like I gave somewhat of this answer a minute ago. 00:45:37.280 --> 00:45:41.119 I reframe it, would you? 00:45:41.360 --> 00:45:41.599 Yeah. 00:45:41.679 --> 00:45:42.960 So you mentioned relationships. 00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:43.280 Yeah. 00:45:43.519 --> 00:45:44.559 Um getting together. 00:45:44.800 --> 00:45:48.719 Um you're getting feedback from a lot of people because you're Molly the CEO. 00:45:49.039 --> 00:45:50.719 And so fix this, Molly. 00:45:51.360 --> 00:45:56.000 Um what are people telling you that needs to be done um other than just make it go away? 00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.559 Right. 00:45:56.800 --> 00:46:00.800 Um and what can we do, not just in the relationships, that's where it begins. 00:46:00.880 --> 00:46:01.039 Yeah. 00:46:01.280 --> 00:46:02.880 And uh this is part of why you're here today. 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:03.760 It's relationship. 00:46:04.400 --> 00:46:21.440 Um how do we not just build on that, but actually proactively help you and the people who are invested heavily in trying to make Topeka what it can be, what it is, what it can be, um, to be able to help you all be successful. 00:46:22.159 --> 00:46:24.800 Yeah, I think a piece of it is is probably education. 00:46:24.880 --> 00:46:32.320 I mean, Lamanda speaks to it a bit of of people understanding what you can affect and what you can't affect. 00:46:32.800 --> 00:46:38.320 Um and and then understanding where the resources are and how to get to them. 00:46:38.480 --> 00:46:39.599 And and I agree. 00:46:39.760 --> 00:46:44.400 I I've heard numerous times over

the past year, gosh, call Lamanda, she'll figure it out. 00:46:44.559 --> 00:46:45.679 She'll and and that's great. 00:46:45.760 --> 00:46:47.920 Yeah, that's awesome that people know we want that. 00:46:48.239 --> 00:46:58.719 Um so so knowing what the who to get a hold of for certain issues to to provide support and what needs support. 00:46:58.800 --> 00:47:10.320 Um, I think more people uh just willing to have conversations about what they what they need and what they see and what they don't know. 00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:22.400 Um, I mean, we've three we've thrown around the word authentic and authenticity a lot today, and I think that has kind of become a buzzword, which bugs me because I I I love what that word means. 00:47:22.960 --> 00:47:35.760 Um But I think it's it's being able to just not take things personal and say, hey, this is really hurting my business, and I don't know. 00:47:35.920 --> 00:47:37.119 So what can I do? 00:47:37.280 --> 00:47:44.400 Or and and and then for the response to be able to be something like well, you know, that person can be there. 00:47:44.559 --> 00:47:56.800 Let's talk about how to get them the resources, or let's maybe you need to come do a tour of DRM, or maybe you need to understand what you know resources don't exist in our community, and can you help affect wherever there's a gap? 00:47:57.679 --> 00:48:08.480 Um so that probably doesn't answer your question, Barry, other than I feel like um you know, I think we all want the same thing. 00:48:08.960 --> 00:48:09.760 I really do. 00:48:09.920 --> 00:48:21.280 I we may not all think we can get there in the same way, but I think we all want to see all the citizens in our community have what they need to live a productive life. 00:48:21.760 --> 00:48:34.800 I I think you have answered the question as best that we can right now, but I think that maybe as as you're talking, I'm thinking about from the partnership, you created with community input um a momentum plan. 00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:39.440 You had benchmarks in order to do that, to get from where we are to where we need to be. 00:48:39.599 --> 00:48:45.679 And then being sorry, authentic, uh, about what you achieved and what you didn't and what we need to carry over. 00:48:45.840 --> 00:48:49.039 So you got momentum 2027 that's getting ready to wrap up here. 00:48:49.360 --> 00:48:52.719 You're gonna have the next thing that's gonna go forward to that. 00:48:52.880 --> 00:48:54.079 So people can see that. 00:48:54.239 --> 00:48:56.480 They can, whether they believe it or not, they can see it. 00:48:56.559 --> 00:48:59.679 Here's a direction, and then you have people working on that direction. 00:48:59.840 --> 00:49:08.320 I think that uh there is also a momentum, um, a a an effort to do the best we can to put an end to chronic homelessness. 00:49:08.800 --> 00:49:19.039 And so as we know your plan, it might be good to understand the plan that there is that's not just isolated within the nonprofit arena, but that we then say, okay, how do those plans line up? 00:49:19.440 --> 00:49:20.559 How can we fine-tune those plants? 00:49:20.719 --> 00:49:20.880 Yep. 00:49:21.119 --> 00:49:26.239 And you know, Barry, I think too, and and I recommended this to some folks from Jump, right? 00:49:26.400 --> 00:49:43.679 Because they're working with this effort for the half of one penny, one-tenth of one penny sales tax thing that originally had both the um housing trust fund benefiting from that and homeless services. 00:49:44.239 --> 00:49:47.360 And then the homeless services piece was removed. 00:49:47.679 --> 00:49:53.199 And so one of the things that I think we all can do together is I recommend it to Jump. 00:49:53.519 --> 00:50:03.519 Don't come after the nonprofits to be advocating, go after downtown business owners because they see the impact that homelessness has on their business. 00:50:03.840 --> 00:50:10.719 And business can have a different tone with city council, right? 00:50:10.880 --> 00:50:21.280 They have a different voice because they're seen as uh property tax contributors, they're seen as sales tax contributors kind of thing. 00:50:21.360 --> 00:50:28.960 Um I think there are all those ways that we see with the folks that don't do our work every single day. 00:50:29.280 --> 00:50:31.599 How can they still make an impact on it? 00:50:31.840 --> 00:50:36.719 Because it's not just the right thing to do, it benefits them too. 00:50:36.960 --> 00:50:44.480 So I think this having these conversations and that kind of thing is is critical and it's what all of us can do. 00:50:44.800 --> 00:50:56.159 So I think the fact that I could recognize it's downtown businesses or any businesses, but I was focused on downtown just because of what we know. 00:50:56.320 --> 00:51:02.079 Um get them involved in these things, even though nobody wants more taxes, right? 00:51:02.400 --> 00:51:09.760 But if it could help with resolution of a situation that could be negatively impacting them, it's different. 00:51:09.840 --> 00:51:11.599 And it's sales tax, right? 00:51:12.159 --> 00:51:13.599 It's so anyway. 00:51:13.679 --> 00:51:24.559 I think it's about all of us and how we work together versus just what can we do for downtown or the business community, the economic development drivers in some way. 00:51:24.719 --> 00:51:32.400 Um, but it's also how do we more effectively work together on issues that impact both of us in in positive ways. 00:51:32.639 --> 00:51:34.159 I think that's hopefully not negative ways. 00:51:34.480 --> 00:51:35.599 I think is a really good perspective. 00:51:35.679 --> 00:51:42.800 And and we don't none of us wants to do anything more than we're already doing unless we really enjoy doing something different, or we have to. 00:51:42.960 --> 00:51:54.559 And we're really at that point if we want to make a change and we want to see things improve for the business community and our neighbors, they have an opportunity or need an

opportunity to be able to be a part of that. 00:51:54.880 --> 00:51:58.079 By the way, that's not a resolved issue at the city council level yet. 00:51:58.159 --> 00:51:59.119 It's still open for discussion. 00:51:59.440 --> 00:52:01.599 It is in last Tuesday night helped that a lot. 00:52:02.000 --> 00:52:03.599 So But it's not resolved. 00:52:03.920 --> 00:52:04.480 It's not resolved. 00:52:04.639 --> 00:52:15.519 It's not resolved, and it may never happen uh either way, but the point of it is but that that what is what is our priorities in our community that we are uh passionate about? 00:52:15.599 --> 00:52:19.599 How is it affecting us and what can we do to get us together on this? 00:52:19.760 --> 00:52:23.360 And it's back to education, but also yeah, I think that there is a plan. 00:52:23.440 --> 00:52:25.119 Uh it's not a fine-tuned plan. 00:52:25.280 --> 00:52:39.440 I got a call from a city council member yesterday um for about an hour about can you help us understand better what the plan is if we do have four million dollars a year um out of the sales tax increase and half of it would go to homeless. 00:52:39.519 --> 00:52:40.480 What would you do with that? 00:52:40.800 --> 00:52:46.159 I said, Well, I'm not the one that decides that, but I said, here's what we're talking about, and here's some perspectives. 00:52:46.320 --> 00:52:58.000 And that city council member ended up saying, Oh, I get it now to the point that you're saying, let's get in the same room, best that we can, find venues, um, that it's not going to go away on its own. 00:52:58.159 --> 00:53:01.119 And it's not just a pick up and call Amanda all the time, she can't solve it all. 00:53:01.199 --> 00:53:01.280 Right. 00:53:01.519 --> 00:53:02.400 It's what we do together. 00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:03.199 Yeah. 00:53:03.679 --> 00:53:19.519 And you know, I think one of the things that I appreciate about kind of this season that we're in is there is just starting to be a clear understanding of whether it's from the business side, um, regardless if it's downtown, NOTO, wherever. 00:53:19.920 --> 00:53:42.800 But I think there's starting to be a little bit of trust and understanding there that Lamanda and our team at the Topeka Rescue Mission, we really do want to understand what merchants are facing for our own purpose, but also because we are a part of these vision castings and all of this stuff of what we could potentially do if there's different revenue. 00:53:42.960 --> 00:53:48.079 Or, I mean, even like myself, we've changed some stuff that TRM has historically done. 00:53:48.159 --> 00:53:53.920 And we've changed it not because it fit into our plan, but because of the direction the community went, right? 00:53:54.159 --> 00:53:56.639 TRM's plan is not centered around TRM. 00:53:56.800 --> 00:54:01.519 One, first and foremost, we do what God asks us to do to the best of our ability. 00:54:01.760 --> 00:54:07.199 And two, my plan for TRM shouldn't trump what's best for our community. 00:54:07.760 --> 00:54:23.760 And so what I am thankful for is I think there's starting to be a little bit of trust in that that the merchants realize I need to know what they're facing because I can't make changes or advocate for that if I don't know and I'm just being talked about. 00:54:24.000 --> 00:54:33.360 The other side of it is I appreciate because I'm starting to trust merchants, whereas before I didn't because of things being said and done. 00:54:33.599 --> 00:54:43.760 And so because that trust is being built, I think we're gonna see that carry on, whether it's because of the sales tax or just because of vision casting of the groups doing this work. 00:54:43.920 --> 00:54:59.920 But I think we're gonna start seeing this more natural blend of representation where people don't say, well, TRM is only about the person and they're okay with my business shutting down because they're concerned about that person in the mental illness crisis. 00:55:00.159 --> 00:55:02.000 Well, no, that's not the case. 00:55:02.159 --> 00:55:15.679 We care about the dignity of that person, but what people don't know is we're also advocating for significant changes to happen because it's not fair for the merchant as a business owner to be handling a mental health crisis, right? 00:55:16.000 --> 00:55:25.280 So I'm excited at kind of where we're at because I think this understanding that if I do push back, people understand why. 00:55:25.440 --> 00:55:28.639 And then when I receive pushback, I understand why. 00:55:28.960 --> 00:55:34.480 And tension can be good as long as it's rooted in trust and um respect. 00:55:34.800 --> 00:55:40.079 So I'm excited to kind of see what comes up, whether it's through y'all's plan or our plans. 00:55:40.320 --> 00:55:49.280 I think there's actually should be the plan for our community that reflects everyone's level of expertise per se. 00:55:49.360 --> 00:55:50.320 And I'm excited about that. 00:55:50.639 --> 00:55:52.239 I think that uh the template is there. 00:55:52.400 --> 00:55:52.559 Yeah. 00:55:52.719 --> 00:55:54.559 Uh the the desire is there now. 00:55:54.639 --> 00:55:55.440 How can we make it happen? 00:55:55.760 --> 00:55:56.960 Molly, thank you for joining us today. 00:55:57.039 --> 00:55:58.719 Is there anything else you'd like to share with us today? 00:55:59.039 --> 00:56:00.559 No, just I mean, thank you. 00:56:00.800 --> 00:56:06.719 You guys are you guys do work sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes on the front lines, and people see that. 00:56:06.960 --> 00:56:15.360 And um I just, you know, I can't even I I I don't know where we would be without the resources that you all deploy. 00:56:15.599 --> 00:56:20.719 I mean, I from back when I was a little kid, I helped serve food, you know, during holidays. 00:56:20.880 --> 00:56:29.920 And I I think that just if anybody has, if anybody listening hasn't had um some sort of experience with TRM, volunteer, do something. 00:56:30.159 --> 00:56:32.400 Company you talked about warming centers, those are coming up. 00:56:33.280 --> 00:56:33.679 That's right. 00:56:33.920 --> 00:56:34.960 There's plenty of opportunities. 00:56:35.360 --> 00:56:35.920 Those are fun. 00:56:36.239 --> 00:56:40.880 Well, Molly Howey, uh CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, thank you for spending some time with us today. 00:56:41.039 --> 00:56:47.360 Thank you for just sharing a more about what the partnership is, and then also obviously this conversation we've had here today. 00:56:47.440 --> 00:56:48.639 So thank you very much. 00:56:48.880 --> 00:56:50.960 Thank you all for listening to our community, our mission. 00:56:51.039 --> 00:56:56.559 If you'd like more information about Topeka Rescue Mission, you can go to the website at trmonline.org. 00:56:56.719 --> 00:56:59.039 That's TRMonline.org. 00:56:59.280 --> 00:57:04.559 Don't forget about this Saturday with the Open Skies event at Evergy Plaza starting at 6 p.m. 00:57:05.039 --> 00:57:08.239 Bring your umbrella and then leave it in the car because you're gonna pray it's not gonna rain. 00:57:08.480 --> 00:57:19.199 And uh then uh great gonna be a great evening, three hours there, and then also on October 11th, go ahead and make plans to be at the fourth annual night of praise for TRM, which is a great event. 00:57:19.280 --> 00:57:20.800 Every year it's gonna be even greater this year. 00:57:20.880 --> 00:57:22.079 Thanks for listening.