EmberHope Youthville recently celebrated an exciting milestone with an Open House at its new office location, a space designed not just to meet operational needs, but to reflect the heart of the mission itself. The event brought together staff, partners, and members of the surrounding community to tour the space, connect with one another, and catch a glimpse of what this new chapter means for children and families served through foster care.
Leading the celebration was Lori Gonzales, President of EmberHope Youthville, whose vision and leadership helped guide the move. Gonzales shared that the decision to relocate was made with great care and intention.
“Our move into this new space was thoughtfully guided by both our operational needs and our mission,” Gonzales said. “It allows us to remain financially responsible while staying closely connected to the community and continuing to strengthen the partnerships that are so essential to our work.”
The new office is housed within College Hill United Methodist (CHUM), a church that has shown a deep and genuine commitment to children in foster care – an alignment that Gonzales says makes the space especially meaningful.
“CHUM’s compassion, generosity, and enthusiasm in welcoming EmberHope Youthville reflect a shared dedication to helping foster families and youth succeed,” she shared. “We are grateful for their support and excited to be in a space that aligns with our dedication to serving children and families.”
During the Open House, one of the most impactful moments for Gonzales was the chance to connect face-to-face with both staff and members of CHUM’s congregation. Seeing people experience the space firsthand—and hearing their reactions—was incredibly affirming.
“Hearing so many people describe the space as beautiful, welcoming, inviting, and warm reinforced that this environment, and, most importantly, the people who work here, truly reflect who we are and how we want others, especially our youth and families, to feel when they walk through our doors,” Gonzales said. “It was a powerful reminder that this space is more than an office; it is a place of connection, support, and hope.”
Beyond aesthetics, the new location opens the door to deeper collaboration and expanded support for foster families. Being embedded within a like-minded community creates new opportunities for shared resources, relationships, and engagement.
One exciting example of this partnership is CHUM’s commitment to host EmberHope Youthville’s annual Foster Parent Conference in June, an opportunity to bring training, encouragement, and connection into an accessible and welcoming space.
“This level of partnership allows us to better support our youth and families through collaboration, care, and a shared commitment to their success,” Gonzales explained.
As EmberHope Youthville settles into this new space, Gonzales hopes it will continue to grow as a hub for collaboration, mutual support, and impact—strengthening both the organization’s work and its relationships within the community.
Most importantly, this new chapter comes with an ongoing and urgent need: loving, committed foster families.
A Call to Care
There are always children and teens in Kansas who need safe, supportive homes—and foster parents play a vital role in providing stability, hope, and healing. If you’ve ever considered becoming a foster parent, now is the time to learn more.
Explore how you can make a lasting difference in the life of a child by becoming a foster parent. Together, with supportive communities and compassionate families, we can continue building places—and futures—filled with connection, care, and hope.
