photo by: Bremen Keasey

Martin Way, a former interim director at HeadQuarters Kansas, speaks during the nonprofit's Breakfast of Hope Monday morning, Sept. 8, 2025. Way updated the nonprofit's "rebuilding" after it had a tumultuous 2024.

Leaders with the nonprofit that helps staff the state’s suicide prevention crisis line told supporters at its Breakfast of Hope event Monday that it is starting to stabilize and grow after a tumultuous year.

Walter Way, HeadQuarters Kansas’ former interim director, addressed several dozen Lawrence residents and leaders Monday morning to share updates from the nonprofit, which answers calls that come from Kansas counties on the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Way told the crowd that the nonprofit is starting to come out of its “rebuilding phase.”

The current interim director, Dan Watkins, was out of town on Monday.

As the Journal-World reported, approximately 80% of the staff of HeadQuarters last year signed a letter demanding the resignation of the entire board and interim executive director, citing concerns over potential misuse of grant funds. Shortly thereafter, the entire board and interim executive director resigned in July 2024.

Way said that since that period of turmoil the nonprofit has been able to maintain its ability to serve people who call at a time of crisis. Way said HeadQuarters answered around 10,000 calls from Douglas County residents and answered around 20,000 calls from across Kansas in the past year.

Way noted that more people have been calling the crisis hotline this year and that HeadQuarters Kansas has been working to “expand its capacity” to ensure there are enough staff to handle at least 90% of the state’s call volume. Ashely Servis, the nonprofit’s business specialist, told the Journal-World the organization made changes to its hiring procedures that allowed it to hire more trained staff to respond to calls and texts.

Way also touted the fact the nonprofit received a $3.25 million grant this year from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services — a big step after the organization had to repay nearly $300,000 in misspent grant funding, including some from KDADS, as the Journal-World reported. Servis said in the past year HeadQuarters Kansas has changed its personnel procedures and added more financial “checks and balances” to ensure that no one employee can get “too much access (to the finances).” Additionally, the nonprofit hired a dedicated staff accountant and a human resources manager to oversee employee timekeeping practices.

The Monday morning event highlighted “988 Day,” which aims to raise awareness of the availability of the suicide hotline. Servis said the day celebrates the work done by suicide prevention services to help save lives.

September is also Suicide Prevention Month.

“It’s important to make sure we’re able to help those in crisis and those who need mental health support,” Servis said.