These local women are passionate about changing how the community sees addiction.
“Everyone has a stigma about what addiction looks like,” Jennifer says. “It’s not just the man waving a sign on the street corner — it could be your neighbor, your kid, the lady who works at the bank. People are dying every single day in Topeka.”
Part of the group’s mission is education: working with those struggling with addiction to help find treatment, mental health services, abuse recovery, and crisis hotlines.
A Personal Mission
Their drive is to create Topeka’s Safe Haven comes from lived experience. “At one point in my life, I was living in a tent, getting high,” she recalls. “No one knew how bad it was because I was too ashamed to ask for help. Looking back, if there had been a group like this, I think it would have helped me so much — that’s why I started this.”
She emphasizes that anyone — housed or unhoused, sober or still struggling — can reach out to the group for food, hygiene products, or just someone to talk to.
Community Call to Action
Topeka’s Safe Haven isn’t just looking for donations — they’re seeking ideas and feedback from the community. “We love to hear what people think, good or bad,” Jennifer says. “If you’ve seen us out flying signs of awareness, come say hello next time. And if you haven’t, we’ll keep everyone updated on where we’ll be.”
Need Help?
If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, addiction, or just needs someone to talk to, reach out to Topeka’s Safe Haven through their Facebook group, Topeka Drug Addiction, Depression, and LGBTQ Outreach.
You can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or the SAMHSA Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
