On Thursday, October 22, more than 150 friends, partners, and supporters gathered at Village on Antioch for our annual Under the Prairie Sky breakfast. The room was full of energy, connection, and hope, and we’re still carrying that spirit with us.

“Something that loves us tries to save us”

Rev. Rose Schwab of Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church opened our morning with Lucille Clifton’s poem “mother-tongue: the land of nod,” which closes with the reminder that “each day, something that loves us tries to save us.” It set the tone for everything that followed.

*Rev. Rose Schwab, Minister, Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church*

Ten years of vision

We paused to honor Prairie Sky’s founders, Alice Carrott and Al Eidson. Ten years ago, they had their first conversation with Rick Howell of Samaritan Counseling Center of the Gulf Coast, who introduced them to the Solihten Institute. With Solihten’s guidance and support, that conversation became Prairie Sky Counseling Center. Thank you, Alice and Al, for planting the seed and tending it all these years.

A joyful keynote

Dr. Anne Weese, Director of Mental Wellness and Sport Psychology for K-State Athletics, brought joyful, honest, open energy. She shared stories from her work with K-State student-athletes and from her own life about the power of mindfulness, including how listening to our bodies can open a door to what we’re feeling, and how, when life feels overwhelming, we can focus on just the next step.

Take What You Need

Guests also visited Kasim Hardaway’s interactive art installation, Take What You Need, choosing letters written for whatever they might be carrying that day. We’re grateful Kasim was with us to share his work.

A milestone year

1,304 counseling sessions so far in 2026, already more than all of last year
New grief and caregiver support groups, launched with our partner congregations at Village Church and Country Club Christian Church
Solihten Institute accreditation: we anticipate hearing back in November about our accreditation from the Solihten Institute
Counseling at Congregation Beth Shalom, beginning early next year

In our video, one client put it simply: “It’s a strange and humbling experience when help actually shows up.” That’s why we do this work.

*Executive Director Jen Wewers shares a milestone year at Prairie Sky: 1,304 counseling sessions and counting.*

Thank you

Thank you to our generous sponsors: the Village Endowment Trust, Alice Carrott and Al Eidson, Patty and Harvey Grossman, KR Johnson, and George Terbovich Design. Thank you to our table captains, volunteers, and speakers, and to photographer Naomi Hill for capturing the morning.

See photos from the event.

It’s not too late to be part of it

If you missed the breakfast or didn’t have a chance to give, you can still make a gift online or join the Prairie Sky Giving Society with a three-year commitment. And generosity takes many forms. If you’d like to share your time or talents, introduce us to someone, or learn more, email Jen Wewers at jen.wewers@prairieskycc.org.

Thank you for helping healing grow under the prairie sky.