Second Light receives 2025 Chairman’s Award

(Sedgwick County, Kan.) – Today, as Chairman of the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners, Ryan Baty presented the 2025 Chairman’s Award to the nonprofit organization Second Light Shelter + Services, a community-driven initiative designed to provide services and support for individuals experiencing homelessness or those who are at risk of becoming homeless. More than a dozen partners will provide services, such as mental and physical health, substance use resources and housing navigation. Located at 1025 N. Main, Second Light is scheduled to open in spring 2026 and is currently available during the winter months to provide emergency shelter options. Second Light works toward the goal of reaching functional zero homelessness, when the number of people entering homelessness is never more than the community’s ability to house them quickly.

“In selecting Second Light for the Chairman’s Award, I want to highlight an organization that defines what it means to serve the unhoused with compassion and practical solutions,” said Commissioner Ryan Baty. “Second Light is a model organization, showcasing how to tackle the issues that lead to homelessness while making Sedgwick County a model city for how we effectively serve this vulnerable population. I’m proud of the difference Second Light makes in this community through services and collaboration with a committed group of partners.”

Baty encourages Sedgwick County residents to learn more about Second Light at https://secondlightwichita.org/.

Also during the Jan. 14 BoCC meeting, Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh was selected to serve as the 2026 Chair, and Commissioner Stephanie Wise will be the new Chair Pro Tem. Both will fill these roles until mid-January 2027.