United Way announces $1 million matching grant for Wichita homeless shelter

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - United Way of the Plains announced a $1 million matching grant to help with operations at Second Light, Wichita’s homeless shelter.

United Way will give $1 million over three years along with $1 million in matching funds raised by the community.

“This one million dollar grant is issued across 3 years. We’re endeavoring to match the money and give Second Light a 3 year ramp, to hire up its team, to bring in the shared resources to shake out what works and doesn’t work so in three years it’s operating as a fine tuned machine,” said Pete Najera, president and CEO of United Way of the Plains.

The grant is the largest one-time grant the organization has made in its 104-year history.

Second Light provides 130 beds for homeless people.