Goal: $15,000.00

Specific Need

For 2026, we continue to raise funds for the construction of a Community Resource Center to be located here in Hiawatha!

Welcome to the Future of Aging and Community Services in Northeast Kansas

Introducing the NEKAAA Community Resource Center & Regional Transportation Hub

Empowering Independence. Enriching Lives. Connecting Communities.The Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA) is proud to unveil our most transformative project to date: a state-of-the-art, 17,650 square foot Community Resource Center and Regional Transportation Hub, located at 2200 Natchez Street, Hiawatha, Kansas.This innovative facility will be a beacon of access, innovation, and collaboration. It will serve as a central hub where people of all ages, incomes, and abilities come together to access vital services, engage in meaningful activities, and receive the support needed to live with dignity and independence.

What to Expect at the New Center

Community Café and Meals on Wheels Headquarters: Enjoy nutritious meals and opportunities for social connection in a welcoming space for all ages.
Technology Lab: Bridge the digital divide with access to computers, digital literacy training, and one-on-one tech support.
Health and Wellness Center: Participate in small-group wellness classes such as yoga, Tai Chi, and balance programs designed to support active living.
NEKAAA General Public Transportation Hub: Featuring a 12-bay garage, regional dispatch center, administrative offices, and electric vehicle charging stations to expand transit access for work, healthcare, education, and community life.
Meeting and Conference Spaces: Modern, high-tech spaces designed for both agency use and community events.
Comprehensive Aging and Disability Services: Including case management, caregiver support, legal assistance, benefits enrollment, SHICK counseling, and more.

Funding

Funding for the NEKAAA Community Resource Center and Regional Transportation Hub has been made possible through the generous support of state and local partners, including the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and Brown County leadership, along with contributions from private donors and foundations. This remarkable collaboration has laid the foundation for a facility that will serve generations to come. While we have made significant progress, this is just the beginning. Continued support is essential to fully realize the vision for this space and ensure that every corner of our seven-county region can benefit from the services it will provide.

Community Support

Would you like to be a part of one of the most important project in NE Kansas? Whether volunteering or donating there are many ways to be involved. We invite community leaders, partners, and advocates to invest in this bold step forward. Committees are forming now. Naming and dedication opportunities are available throughout the facility, from the Community Café to the Transportation Hub and Technology Lab.

Help us build a future where every person in Northeast Kansas has access to the resources, support, and community they deserve. If you'd like to make a one-time donation you can click HERE. Want to learn more about how to make your larger contribution count? We have options for multi-year pledges, IRA rollover, estate planning, stock or property donations, and more! Let us help your contribution feel as good and easy as possible! Call Teri Livengood at 785-742-7152 or email her at teri.livengood@nekaaa.org with any questions or presentation requests. We can't wait to work with you.

A Brief History of the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA)

Established in 1973 under the Older Americans Act, the Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA) has served as a vital lifeline for aging adults and individuals with disabilities across Northeast Kansas for more than 50 years. As a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Hiawatha, Kansas, NEKAAA was created to advocate for older Kansans and empower them to live independently, with dignity and improved quality of life.

From its inception, NEKAAA has evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of the region’s rural population. The agency delivers a wide range of services including case management, nutritional programs, transportation, caregiver support, and wellness initiatives, all tailored to support individuals at home and in their communities. Today, NEKAAA continues to serve the residents of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, and Washington Counties, while expanding its role as a regional hub for aging and disability resources, transportation coordination, and innovative community programming.

Serving Northeast Kansas

Proudly supporting Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, and Washington Counties since 1973.

Email: nekaaa@nekaaa.org

Mission

Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging assists individuals in living independently in their homes and communities, maintaining their independence, quality of life and dignity, for as long as possible.

Profile

Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA) is a 501 (c)(3) community-based nonprofit organization established in 1973 through the Older Americans Act. For over 50 years, our purpose has been to understand the needs of older Kansans, advocate for individuals and their families, and to empower aging adults and persons with disabilities throughout Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Nemaha, Marshall, and Washington Counties. We provide services tailored to local and regional needs including case management, in-home care, nutritional support, transportation, information and assistance, health promotion programs, Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK), caregiver assistance, and access to community resources and support. We also serve as your local Aging and Disability Resource Center with focus on long term planning for individuals of all ages, abilities, and income levels. As the Benefits Enrollment Center for Northeastern Kansas, funded through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), we also help low-income people with Medicare access programs that pay for healthcare, food, and more through programs like Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). We are currently in the process of expanding programs and services with the construction of a multi-use aging services and transit hub in Hiawatha. This innovative facility will offer all of our regular services with the addition of a community café, technology lab, activities room, and full-service transportation center. We can’t wait for you to visit us in our new home!