The Reality in Sedgwick County
The Numbers Tell a Story We Can Change.
Family structure shapes nearly every outcome we care about — from childhood poverty to a community's long-term economic health.
34%
of households with kids under 18 are single-parent homes
3000
children born to unmarried parents in the county each year
1200
Divorces in Sedgwick County annually
70%
of children in poverty here live in single-parent homes
The fraction of children living in single-parent households is the single strongest predictor of economic mobility.
- Harvard study on economic mobility, 2014
Why It Matters
Healthy families create better outcomes for everyone.
Research consistently affirms that healthy, married two-parent families ripple outward into the whole community.
Better outcomes
for children
Kids in stable, two-parent homes do measurably better across health, education, and lifelong wellbeing.
Less poverty
Strong family structure is one of the most powerful protections against childhood poverty.
Economic growth
Healthy families spur economic mobility and lasting growth for the whole region.
Strong, safe communities
When homes are strong, neighborhoods are safer and communities are
more resilient.
PROVEN RESULTS
To address these challenges and create lasting change, Lead Wichita and Live the Life are launching the Wichita Marriage and Family Initiative. This proven model has already delivered measurable results in other communities. See Below
24%
Lower divorce rate
Jacksonville, Florida over a 3-year period, 2015–2017
49%
Drop in teen pregnancy
Gadsden County from 2018 to 2021
86%
of troubled marriages restored through crisis marriage intervention
UPCOMING EVENTS
SINGLES EVENT @ Chicken N Pickle - The Head and the Heart Workshop - Wichita20 days to the eventAug 28, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMChicken N Pickle - Wichita, 1240 N Greenwich Rd, Wichita, KS 67206, USA
Navigating Us - Wichita - Sept 18, 19, 2041 days to the eventSep 18, 2026, 6:00 PM – Sep 20, 2026, 3:00 PMLive the Life Wichita Office, 727 N Waco Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
Student Startup & True North (Sept 20th)43 days to the eventSep 20, 2026, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PMLead Wichita Office, 727 N Waco Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA- Navigating Us - Wichita - Oct 23, 24, 2576 days to the eventOct 23, 2026, 6:00 PM – Oct 25, 2026, 3:00 PMLive the Life Wichita Office, 727 N Waco Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
Wichita - Start Smart Mentor Certification84 days to the eventOct 31, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PMLive the Life Wichita Office, 727 N Waco Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA- Navigating Us - Wichita - Nov 13, 14, 1597 days to the eventNov 13, 2026, 6:00 PM – Nov 15, 2026, 3:00 PMLive the Life Wichita Office, 727 N Waco Ave, Wichita, KS 67203, USA
MEET THE WICHITA STAFF
BLAKE
WRIGHT
Director of Partnership Development
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