Community Resources

Walk-In assistance from community organizations

Click the title of each group to see upcoming events when they are providing individual walk-in assistance at the library!

 

Community Navigator – Community Navigator volunteers through United Way of Kaw Valley will help clients to prepare paperwork, gather documentation, access community resources that might benefit and/or support their needs.

Cover KS: Heath Insurance Navigator – Get your Marketplace & KanCare health insurance questions answered at the library.

Topeka Family Legal Project – Meet with Topeka Family Legal Project staff to apply for legal assistance related to housing, educational and income-related legal issues.

TRIO Educational Opportunity Center – Discuss FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), career exploration and school selection with TRIO Educational Opportunity Center advisor Melody Lawrence.

SCORE Business Mentoring – SCORE mentors provide one-on-one advice on business best practices and resources to help your small business thrive. SCORE mentoring is free for aspiring or established owners of U.S.-based businesses.

Mental Health Screenings with Valeo Behavioral Health Care – Staff from Valeo Behavioral Health Care help community members understand their own mental health situations, the treatment options available and how to access services.

Community resources online & at other locations

Community resource & referral sources

Resources for food and assistance

 COVID-19 resources

Mental health crisis lines

  • Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line Valeo (ages 18+) Open 24/7 1-785-234-3300
  • Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line FSGC (17 & under) Open 24/7 1-785-232-5005

Eviction prevention

Housing and Credit Counseling Inc – 800-383-0217 and  785-234-0217

Kansas Legal Services Individuals seeking legal assistance must first apply. You can apply for legal assistance by filling out the Online Application or by phone 1-800-723-6953.

Internet Resources and WiFi Access

WiFi Access in the library’s parking lot, community centers and other locations.

Consumers can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program at AffordableConnectivity.gov

Tax Forms and Assistance

Tax Forms and Assistance links to local resources and state/federal forms.

Spanish Language Local Resources

Lissa Staley helps people use the library. She is a Book Evangelist, Trivia Emcee, Classics Made Modern book discussion leader, NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, and frequent library customer. She loves her kids, being a librarian, living in Topeka, and helping people form connections and community. (She's the Community Connections Librarian!) She reads a new book every few days, but is enjoying the audiobook of "Empress of Forever" by Max Gladstone, the ebook "When We Were Magic" by Sarah Gailey and is eagerly awaiting John Scalzi's "The Last Emperox" in April!