Print Release to promote the celebration of CCSR’s thirty-year anniversary
News Release For more information, Contact:
Angela Gaughan
Support Group Project Specialist
316–978-5496
[email protected]
CCSR Celebrates Thirty-year Anniversary
WICHITA, Kan.--- Formerly known as the Self-Help Network of Kansas, local social worker, Evelyn Middelstadt,
founded Wichita State University’s Center for Community Support and Research (CCSR) in 1984 when she saw the need
of support in parents with special needs children. Middelstadt then became interested in finding and developing other
local support groups for anyone with a struggle and a need of someone to talk to, thus the Self-Help Network began as a
small group of volunteers making referrals to support groups from Middelstadt’s apartment kitchen table.
“[I remember] hanging out at the kitchen table, making referrals [to self-help groups],” said Tara Gregory, CCSR
director of research and evaluation. Gregory started out as an undergraduate volunteer with CCSR before pursuing other
career opportunities after graduating from Wichita State with a bachelor’s in psychology.
CCSR’s thirty-year anniversary is in Feb.
Upon its move to Wichita State University’s psychology department in 1986, under the direction of associate
professor of psychology Gregory Meissen, CCSR has seen a lot of growth and positive change as it expanded its services
to include organizational capacity building and research initiatives to better assist communities across Kansas. CCSR has
received grant funding from prominent organizations like the Kansas Health Foundation, which has had a relationship
with CCSSR since the late-80s, for numerous health and community initiatives that have helped the organization grow
and expand its network.
According to Scott Wituk, CCSR executive director, the organization’s move to the heart of downtown Wichita has
allowed for more visibility and accessibility to the community.
“[CCSR] continues to keep a foundation set of services and expand on it,” Wituk said.
CCSR looks to begin its celebration of thirty years sometime in April.
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