One wall at a time

As a board member of Habitat for Humanity, I was thrilled to attend a ceremony this morning lifting the wall of the 100th home built for a family who will become first-time homeowners. Purchasing a home is one of the most important accomplishments one can achieve in one's lifetime. Habitat helps families, and helps stabilize neighborhoods, through a combination of community volunteering, sweat equity, donations and low-cost mortgages. The newest house is being built in a new neighborhood near 33rd Street North and Jackson.

Fast paced

Three weeks until Election Day and the pace is picking up! In the past few days, I've attended several candidate forums and talked to hundreds of voters. Usually we have only 3 to 5 minutes to explain who we are, what we've done and what we intend to do if elected. My legislative priorities are based on your concerns: Better-paying jobs, healthier families, quality education and safer communities. The campaign schedule can be a challenge — especially when events are back-to-back or at the same time! — but it's so rewarding to meet with people who've taken the time to attend. Important dates coming up:
— Advance ballots go out in the mail today, Oct. 15. (Don't forget to fill it out and mail it back!)
— The last day to register to vote is Oct. 20.
— Voting early in person at the Sedgwick County Elections Office starts Wednesday, Oct. 22 and runs through noon Nov. 3.
— Election Day is Nov. 4.

Thanks for your vote!

29th District is the heart of Wichita

It's nice to see Wichita's Old Town District recognized as one of America's Top 10 Neighborhoods!

Revitalized Old Town is in the 29th District - along with so many of the core neighborhoods that help give Wichita its unique character: from Downtown to Southeast High School, Midtown to Wichita State University and beyond. It is diverse and vibrant. Like the people who live here and the businesses that anchor it, this district faces challenges and deserves a senator who not only knows it well but has the legislative experience to get things done.

Vote Nov. 4 for Oletha Faust-Goudeau.

Just 2 weeks left to register to vote!

A story about voter registration drives in Monday's Wichita Eagle featured two men who have been working hard in the 29th District to help others exercise their civil rights. Former firefighter Chester Selmon has set up a card table at the corner of 13th and Grove to help people fill out registration forms. Drew Steadman, president of the WSU College Democrats, even went so far as to bring donkeys onto campus to draw students' attention to the signup booth.

Monday, Oct. 20 is the last day to register to vote for the general election. If you don't happen to be near Chester or Drew, you can click here for a downloadable / printable copy of the voter registration form. It's available in English and in Spanish. Once you have it filled out, return it to the Sedgwick County Election Office in the Historic County Courthouse, 510 N. Main #101, Wichita KS 67203 by 5 p.m. Oct. 20.

Please encourage your friends and neighbors to register, then vote on Tuesday, Nov. 4!

In the news

To read the story The Wichita Eagle published about me on Sunday, Oct. 5, click here.

Strengthening my resolve

Gratifying to know that the people who attended the Grandparents As Caregivers Forum on Saturday at the Northeast Senior Center received information that has the potential to change lives. For instance, one woman who has raised her teenage grandson since he was in 3rd grade with very little help now knows about the Kinship Navigator program, which can help her get the benefits and parenting guidance she needs. And it's free. (For more information, call 942-4261.)

The forum panel included myself, Secretary Don Jordan of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, attorney Kelly Hogan from Kansas Legal Services, B.J. Gore of the Kansas Children's Service League and others. We were there to answer questions about state-funded programs that help keep children safe and families together. We also heard personal stories that renewed my resolve to continue to speak out and act.

In Kansas, there are nearly 30,000 children living in households headed by their grandparents, an increase of about 40 percent since 1990. Too many of these families struggle to make ends meet. The majority of these caregivers get little assistance and can find it hard to access basic services for the children, such as health care.

This is an issue that deeply affects the 29th District. With your help, I'll return to the Statehouse and keep fighting for what's right.

I'd appreciate your vote Nov. 4.

Women voters

This afternoon, I'll be at a forum on women and voting at Interfaith Ministries hosted by Church Women United. Looking forward to it!