CCSR realignment designed to support center's growth

The Wichita State University Center for Community Support & Research, formerly known as the Self-Help Network, has been realigned, and its administration has been placed directly under WSU’s Office of Research Administration.

The announcement was made by Provost Gary L. Miller.

David McDonald

David McDonald

Associate Provost David McDonald, who now oversees administrative responsibility for the center, explained that due to CCSR’s growth, it was imperative to realign center operations and accountability during poor economic times.

Since its inception in 1984, the center has received about $25 million in grants, with the majority of the grant funds within the past 10 years.

These grants make the creation of new programs and services possible. In the past four years, staffing levels at the center have doubled to meet the demand and needs of communities, governmental agencies and nonprofits statewide.

Today, more than 50 full- and part-time staff facilitate strategic planning, training, research and program evaluation activities designed to strengthen organizations service systems and communities.

In addition to helping build the capacity of hundreds of faith-based and community-based organizations and nonprofits across Kansas, CCSR staff also provide numerous educational offerings on and off campus and facilitate community initiatives, such as Community Leadership Programs and Visioneering Wichita.

CCSR immediately announced that despite difficult economic times, all existing contracts and current services with nonprofits, governments and an array of community partners have been renewed for 2009 or are ongoing.

“Often nonprofits and government organizations need help most during difficult economic times,” said Julie Underwood, CCSR’s communication coordinator. “Our experience has been that organizations are driven to collaborate during difficult economic times, and facilitating such efforts is a specialty of CCSR staff. As the demand for such services continues to increase, CCSR’s help is needed more than ever now.”

CCSR staff reports that more than 35 projects are already in place for the upcoming year, and the majority of those projects funded in 2009 are aimed at building capacity within nonprofits to ensure each organization’s effectiveness and positive outcomes.

WSU Associate Provost Keith Pickus, who was appointed as acting director of CCSR, said its work is key to the university’s commitment to its urban-serving research mission.

“CCSR is an integral part of WSU’s presence in the Wichita community and statewide,” Pickus said “This effort is about ensuring that CCSR continues to grow in the future.”

Because CCSR’s services revolve around community support activities and includes research components, WSU officials also announced they believed the realignment allows CCSR the opportunity to reorient center operations in line with other WSU research centers.

CCSR’s vision is that all Kansans use their talents and experiences to create thriving communities. The center’s mission is to partner with communities and organizations to strengthen Kansas through education, leadership development, facilitation and research.