LiveWell Northwest Kansas Opens New Family Resource Center, Expanding Help for Families Across the Region
July 16, 2026
LiveWell Northwest Kansas will officially have a second home — and it’s accompanied by a renewed effort to inform the region where to turn when you need a little extra help.
Beginning July 20, the LiveWell Family Resource Center will welcome families at its new location inside S&S Plaza at 990 S. Range Ave. in Colby, creating a more visible and accessible space for one of northwest Kansas' most comprehensive family support organizations.
The move represents more than just a change of address. LiveWell leaders are hopefull that the new space becomes a welcoming location for parents, caregivers and community members to feel comfortable walking through the door, whether they need diapers, over-the-counter medicine, parenting resources, early childhood support, or simply help connecting with other services available throughout the region.
Founded in 2001 as a prevention-focused organization, LiveWell has grown into a regional nonprofit serving families across northwest Kansas through programs centered on behavioral health, early childhood development, home visiting services and community resource assistance. In 2018, the organization broadened its mission and rebranded to reflect its expanding role in improving quality of life for families throughout the region.
Today, LiveWell serves families in Thomas, Sherman, Sheridan, Decatur, Norton, Graham, Wallace, Logan, Gove and Trego counties through a variety of programs designed to support children from birth through age five and strengthen families before challenges become crises.
One of the organization's lesser-known services is its Family Resource Center, which provides practical everyday items that many families occasionally struggle to afford.
Visitors can receive over-the-counter medications for both children and adults, diapers, toiletries, hygiene products, children's clothing and other household essentials. Thanks to partnerships and grant funding, families may receive up to four over-the-counter items each week. Perhaps most importantly, these services are available without income qualifications or lengthy application processes. Staff simply ask for basic contact information before assisting families.
For residents who cannot make it to the center, LiveWell staff can even arrange deliveries in certain situations, helping eliminate transportation barriers that often prevent families from accessing needed supplies.
Beyond the resource center, LiveWell operates two Kids Port childcare facilities in Colby that provide research-based, play-focused early childhood education. The organization also offers several home-visiting and parenting programs that can be conducted either in person or virtually, giving parents flexible access to guidance, developmental education and family support. Specialists also partner with schools and childcare providers throughout the region by conducting developmental screenings, classroom observations and social-emotional consultations that help teachers better support young learners.
The organization describes itself as a "gap-filling" agency, working alongside Citizens Health, Head Start, the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center, the Department for Children and Families, USD 315, and other local partners to help families navigate services that can often seem overwhelming.
That collaborative approach recently drew the attention of U.S. Senator Roger Marshall during a February visit to Colby, where he toured LiveWell's facilities and praised the organization's efforts to connect mental health, early childhood development and family support under one roof. Marshall described LiveWell's integrated approach as a model for strengthening rural communities while encouraging the organization to pursue additional partnerships and funding opportunities.
As LiveWell prepares to open its new location, staff hope the public will not only remember where the resource center is located, but also help spread the word to neighbors, coworkers and friends who may benefit from its services.
Organization leaders say many families simply don't realize help is available. Something as simple as a package of diapers, children's medicine or hygiene supplies can make a meaningful difference during a difficult week, and they want residents to know they never have to face those challenges alone.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration is planned in conjunction with the move, with the goal of introducing more community members to the expanded resource center and the services available inside. Planning discussions emphasized making the event an opportunity for residents to see the facility firsthand while learning about the many programs LiveWell provides throughout northwest Kansas.
The new LiveWell Family Resource Center opens July 20 at S&S Plaza, 990 S. Range Ave. in Colby. Families seeking assistance or anyone wanting more information about available programs may contact the organization at 785-460-8177 or visit www.livewellnwk.org.
There will be a soft opening for the Resource Center on July 28 from 9-11am.