WHAT IS A SOCIETY?

"A society is a system of relationships."

ARNOLD J. TOYNBEE, HISTORIAN

This is the Cycle

  • Hand shake

    WHEN PEOPLE TRUST PEOPLE, THE SOCIETY ADVANCES AND AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN

  • EVENTUALLY, THE SOCIETY'S ADVANCES CREATE DISCONNECTION, FEAR, AND MISTRUST

  • WHEN PEOPLE STOP TRUSTING EACH OTHER, THE SOCIETY BEGINS TO COLLAPSE

This is the Solution

“It has given me so much hope that we can actually unite together around a very simple idea of caring for each other."

Brandon Dyer, Executive Director

  • IDENTIFY

    Identify caring people in the community (because there are more people who care than don't)

  • CONNECT

    Connect the caring people to one another to build trusting and supportive relationships

  • EQUIP

    Equip the caring people with the tools to develop healthy, caring relationships throughout the community

Donate Today

You're not asking me to save the world. You're just asking me to be friends, and friendly, with my neighbors. I can do that.

— Marta Land | Block Leader

2021 SUCCESSES

5609 Interactions

in neighborhoods with 303 gatherings and 1234 neighbors gathered

1500 students

impacted across 12 schools and 4 school districts

2 houses

with 7 weekly programs with 94 individuals participating

We care period means our caring for you doesn't depend on you having the same political affiliation, the same color of skin, you having the same outlook. We care period means there's no comma. It's just a statement of fact.

— Tom Dahlman | Rector Emmanual Episcopal Church

EVIDENCE

TBRI

Trust-based relational intervention to ensure every person is seen, heard, and valued

CASEL

Advancing social and emotional learning to give people tools to build healthy relationships

SCIENCE OF HOPE

Fostering waypower and willpower for better choices today and brighter futures tomorrow

The longer Community Renewal's here, the more people that get involved, in 10 years our community will look 10 times different than it does now.

— Ian Brown | Assistant Campus Pastor, Life Church Shawnee

MEET THE STAFF

(Psst… hover over the pics for bios.)

After 15 years in ministry, Brandon launched Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County to help renew his hometown’s commitment to caring for each other through intentional relationships. When not at work, Brandon spends time with his wife and 4 kids and loves camping, fly fishing, and riding bikes with friends.

Brandon Dyer

Executive Director

As Engagement Director, Travis builds and maintains intentional relationships throughout Pottawatomie County to aid organizational growth and partnerships.

Travis Flood

Director of Community Engagement

Michael is all in on the period of We Care. He believes every human should have a seat at his table. With his past work in pastoral ministry, facilities maintenance, and leadership development, Michael directs all of our school based programming hoping to help every student and their family become their best selves. 

Michael Phillips

Campus Programs Director

Alex Greenwood

Operations Director

Brent Newsom

Fatherhood Program Manager

Sherri Thompson

Office Manager and Club Leader

Mandi Wells

Family Advocate

Ed Bolt

Neighboring Coordinator

With a background in cross-cultural studies and a wealth of experience in volunteering across the community, Rachel is the Friendship House coordinator at the Craig Family Friendship House in the Kickapoo Park neighborhood. She loves providing a supp

Rachel Monday

Friendship House Advocate

Hayden Heath

Social Connections Advocate