photo by: Contributed

Misty Bosch-Hastings

The director of Lawrence’s Homeless Solutions Division and a youth counselor have been named as the recipients of the 2025 Engaged in Action awards.

The awards, given by the coalition Engage Douglas County, honor individuals and organizations that demonstrate “a profound commitment to reducing substance misuse, promoting mental health, and actively engaging in issues affecting the residents of Douglas County, including drug and alcohol use, suicide prevention, and other behavioral health concerns.”

Misty Bosch-Hastings, with the City of Lawrence, will be honored as the adult recipient for building a Homeless Response Team that “meets people where they are,” providing multidisciplinary outreach to people experiencing homelessness.

“Her approach allows for real-time assessments, fast tracks individuals into treatment, and reduces barriers to care,” according to a news release from Engage Douglas County. “Misty also secured $400,000 in new funding to support addiction prevention in Douglas County, significantly expanding the community’s capacity to respond to substance use and mental health needs.”

photo by: Contributed

Micah MacConnell

The winner of the youth award, Micah MacConnell, is a volunteer youth counselor for heyHQ, the youth peer-to-peer support line through Headquarters Kansas.

“Micah is proactive and quick to ask a question if he needs more information,” the release said.

The coalition also honors an organization. For 2025, that’s Anchored Collective, a nonprofit, community resource hub, serving Eudora and the surrounding areas by “doing all the good we can.” The nonprofit provides community services, initiates special projects and facilitate strategic partnerships through its space in downtown Eudora to empower individuals toward mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health and wholeness.

The award ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at DCCCA Service Center, 1739 E. 23rd St.

Engage Douglas County was founded in 2019 with the mission to mobilize and empower Douglas County to reduce substance abuse and promote mental health primarily among youth through action, education and collaboration. The coalition helps increase awareness of issues that affect many Douglas County residents, including matters such as suicide, underage alcohol use, vaping, marijuana use and more.