O'Connell Children's Shelter Capital Campaign Fund

Nearly fifty years ago, Mrs. Elsie O’Connell dreamed of a place where young people in need could find safety, care, and a chance to thrive. That vision lives on today in O’Connell Children’s Shelter (OCS), where children, youth, and families in Douglas County and across Kansas turn for help, hope, and healing.

As the needs of youth and families in crisis have grown more complex, OCS has stepped forward with solutions. Every day, we serve children in our five group homes—often their las safe stop before adulthood—and families through prevention programs that keep kids out of the system and safely together at home. But the child welfare system landscape is changing. Today, too many youth are left without stable placement options, and families often struggle without the supports they need to stay intact.

That is why we are launching the Hope Grows Here Campaign to address needed updates to our residential facilities and create Elsie’s Place—a Family Service Center that will:

• Offer a welcoming place for families to access support, including job-readiness and educational resources
• Provide three special emergency beds for youth in crisis, ensuring immediate safety and stabilization
• Include a dedicated intake space to help youth and families with urgent needs
• Serve as a training hub for our professional staff and interns.

With your help, OCS can bridge the gaps that too often leave children and families without options. Your generosity will allow us to provide early interventions that keep families together, specialized care for youth with behavioral and mental health challenges, and a safe, supportive environment that reflects the dignity every child deserves.

Together, we can make Mrs. O’Connell’s legacy a living promise for the next generation of children and families in Douglas County.