The Pando Initiative
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The Pando Initiative builds strong and supportive connections with students, families, and communities that promote success in school, at home, and in life.
Our mission: We connect with students to help them engage and thrive in education and their future. Our belief: We believe that we were all created for connection and when we’re connected, we’re at our best. That’s why we connect with students to help them engage and thrive in education and their future. What we do: We connect students to people, communities, and organizations, helping them build strength, vitality and the courage to take the initiative to succeed. Connect. Engage. Thrive. The Pando Initiative.
• We are an initiative. We are not an institution, a school, or a place where people go.
• We connect and engage with people, take purposeful actions to help students thrive. “Initiative” is descriptive of what we do organizationally, but also is what we desire from our students and the people we work with to help them.
• We are part of an interconnected system that is enduring despite the challenges and obstacles life presents. Connect
• Identify students in need
• Link community resources
Engage
• Build relationships with students
• Enhance social/emotional well-being
Thrive
• Prepare students for life
• Recognize student achievement
09/18/2026
Last night, we were proud to attend United Way of the Plains’ Impact on the Plains and cheer on four incredible organizations competing for funding.
After taking the stage last year and earning second place and the People’s Choice Award, it was great to return as guests and celebrate this year’s participants and winners.
Congratulations to Masters Mentors, LegacyWorks, Breakthrough/Episcopal Social Services, and Wichita Public Library Foundation, and to United Way of the Plains for another great event centered on community impact and collaboration. 💚
It’s here. 💚 The new Pando website is LIVE.
A fresh look. Easier ways to connect. New tools, new resources and new ways to support student success.
And this is just the beginning.
Over the next week, we’ll be highlighting some of the new innovations, tools and sections across our new websites, all designed to make it easier to connect with Pando and the work happening for students.
Start exploring today at www.thepandoinitiative.org
Check out the new Reality U website! www.RealityU.org — A great place to learn about the program, check the map and see where we’ve been, are going, and sign up to volunteer!
09/08/2026
📣 In case you missed it, we’re hiring!
We’re looking for someone who’s ready to make a difference for students every day. Know someone who’d be a great fit? Tag them, share this post, or send it their way!
👉 thepandoinitiative.org/careers/
📣 We’re hiring!
Want to make a difference for students every single day? The Pando Initiative has an open position serving students at a Wichita elementary school, and we’re looking for someone ready to connect, encourage and help students succeed in school, at home and in life.
If you’re passionate about helping students thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more and apply:
https://thepandoinitiative.org/careers/
09/04/2026
Look at all these goodies!🎒✏️📚
This week, Air Capital Wealth Management dropped off the incredible collection from their school supply drive for Pando, and our staff were so grateful.
There were tons of supplies, and every single item was needed. The donations have now been distributed across all 32 Pando school sites, helping make sure our teams have what they need to support students throughout the year.
A huge thank you to Air Capital Wealth Management and everyone who contributed. We are so grateful for partners who show up for Pando students in such a meaningful way. 💚
09/02/2026
📣 We’re hiring!
Want to make a difference for students every single day? The Pando Initiative has an open position serving students at a Wichita elementary school, and we’re looking for someone ready to connect, encourage and help students succeed in school, at home and in life.
If you’re passionate about helping students thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more and apply:
https://thepandoinitiative.org/careers/
08/31/2026
Student success is never a one-person job. It happens when people notice, connect, and work together. 💚
This is what partnerships for success look like!
🚲 Sometimes getting to school takes a little help.
When West High counselor Ms. Tarver noticed a student was consistently arriving late, she took the time to find out why.
It turns out that each morning, the student helps their family by getting their little sister on the bus before heading to West on foot.
After learning this, Ms. Tarver reached out to Coach Tom, our Pando Student Support Advocate, with a simple question: Could we help?
The answer was yes. 💚
Today, thanks to The Pando Initiative, that student received a new bike, helmet and lock so he can keep helping his family AND get to school on time.
Sometimes making the biggest difference starts with simply noticing.
Our Pando Top Chefs don’t just leave with bragging rights. They leave with the hardware. 🏆💍
Cooking for a Cause is bringing the competition back this November, and we’re looking for chefs ready to put their best dish on the table and compete for the Pando Top Chef titles.
Could this be your year?
👨🍳 Become a Chef: bit.ly/pandochefs26
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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412 S Main Street
Wichita, KS
67202