Shepherd’s Way is a nonprofit org that helps empower individuals with intellectual disabilities with all kinds of skills to help them live life.
If you’ve ever met Charles, Dallas, Jordan, or Matthew, you know exactly what this is all about and how it has been a life-changing program.
About Shepherd's Way
The Shepherd’s Way staff and mentors teach practical, independent living skills and the ability to recognize and embrace their unique gifts and value; promote healthy and mutually life-changing community integration; develop leaders; equip all individuals with the social skills to impact the lives of others; and cultivate a community of embrace for those with special needs.
In other words...
The mentors help teach their friends how to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
These mentors live alongside their friends to show them the small things that everyday life requires.
This all started back in 2014 when Ben French (founder of Shepherd’s Way) met Dallas.
Taylor, Adam, Dallas, and Ben
Dallas is one of the kindest people I have ever met and you will 1000% agree when you meet him.
Dallas also has an intellectual disability.
Years ago, his family was going through a season of homelessness when Ben invited Dallas to move out of the homeless shelter and move in with him as a roommate.
His response?
“That would be so great” - Dallas
And thus Shepherd’s Way was born.
The world said Dallas would never be able to learn all the life skills he needed, but he pushed past that and learned:
How to manage his own budget, schedule, social life, transportation, hygiene, grocery shopping, meal preparation, health, spiritual life and so much more
Fast forward a year, Ben and Dallas moved into a 4-bedroom house with two other friends Taylor Miller and Adam Ginzel.
This continued to grow. Some people moved out, others moved in.
Next up was Jordan (who might be the biggest Steph Curry fan in the world). Jordan took to learning those independent life skills just like Dallas did.
Charles, Dallas, and Jordan (go Warriors)
This model home of mentors + their friends is at the heart of what Shepherd’s Way is about.
If you haven’t met any of our Shepherd’s Way friends, the ALL-BALL event coming up is a great opportunity. You might also see them among their workplaces like Dillons, YMCA, or even their own vacuuming business.
Imagine a game that transforms the way the world sees disability.
A field of Local Legends and Friends together, having fun, teaching us what it looks like when we embrace those with special needs.
ALL-BALL is two days of events centered around a fun softball game hosted by Riverfront Stadium and the Wind Surge.
Whether you join us Saturday afternoon for the ALL-BALL game (before the Wind Surge game) with 9,999 of your closest friends, hearing Keynote Speaker Tim Tebow speak at Crown Uptown, or for one of our small group gatherings with Local Legends and Friends — Friday night at Chester’s or Saturday morning for a round of golf — we are certain you’ll have a ball!
Speaking of Local Legends — we have a great lineup of special guests committed to joining the weekend’s festivities. Tim Tebow, Gene Stephenson, Phil Stephenson, PJ Forbes, Mike Pelfrey, Nate Robertson, Garrett Gould, and more will appear!
We are putting together a lot of fun for ALL to transform the landscape of employment, independence, dignity, and purpose for young adults and adults with disabilities.
Every dollar raised goes directly to the Shepherd’s Way residential/career development program, which is committed to empowering young adults and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
ALL-BALL WEEKEND IS two days of events to benefit Shepherd’s Way! Visit the Events + Tickets page to find out how to join us at Chester’s Chophouse, Crown Uptown featuring Tim Tebow, Flint Hills National, and Riverfront Stadium!
Each event features some of our Local Legends and Friends, with various opportunities to meet, get an autograph or photograph, and see many of them play in the ALL-BALL game on Saturday afternoon with our Shepherd’s Way participants. Two teams - one mission!
*not all Local Legends and Friends will be in attendance at all events
Join in on the fun at one or all of the four scheduled events!
Day One (Friday 8/16):
High-Ball
Chester's 5 - 6:30pm
You can grab tickets to come to a happy hour event at Chester’s before the Crown Uptown Event and hang out with Tim Tebow and Local Legends (like myself and SB Mowing, for the record - I did not call myself this…).
Join us for this special happy hour + meet and greet in Chester’s Lake Room and out on the patio with some of our Local Legends and Friends - including Tim Tebow! Space is limited! Enjoy this intimate setting at Chester’s and their custom HIGH-BALL menu of heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Local Legends & Friends w/ Keynote Speaker Tim Tebow
Crown Uptown - 7 - 9pm
Come here from Local Legends & Friends at Crown Uptown with keynote speaker Tim Tebow!
Day Two (Saturday 8/17):
Golf-Ball
Flint Hills National - Staggered flights 8 - 9am
Meet out at Flint Hills on Saturday morning! Enjoy a round hosted by a member and with ALL-BALL participants joining in.
The All-Ball Game
Riverfront Stadium - 4pm
Join our Local Legends and Friends along with Shepherd’s Way participants for a fun-format softball game! Two teams - one mission! Stay for the Wind Surge game after (included)!
GIVEAWAY
This special giveaway will have TWO WINNERS!
You can win either:
two tickets to the Chesters Chophouse Happy Hour (meet Tim Tebow and others)
December 23, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us Good morning, Wichita! This is the final Update for 2024. I hope you all have a great Christmas, New Year, and Holiday Season. See you in 2025! - Landon p.s. Go Shockers. Great dub on Saturday! TOGETHER WITH YOU As approach 2025, we are looking for a couple local small businesses to work with. You know how you're reading this right now? So are thousands of other people. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your business or event in front of thousands and...
December 20, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us TOGETHER WITH Good morning, Wichita! I'll stop bringing it up after today, but you have approximately 13 hours left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways! You can enter over on our Instagram or by sharing this link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Today's giveaway is $500 in gift cards to 5 of the best food spots in Wichita. Let's get to it! - Landon Huslig NEWS The End of Free Parking u/trav2974 The verdict is in. Starting in the summer of 2025, downtown visitors...
December 19, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us Good morning, Wichita! Only 6 days until Christmas! And only 2 days left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways! Share this link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] or head to our Instagram to enter! Let's get to it! - Landon TOGETHER WITH YOU As approach 2025, we are looking for a couple local small businesses to work with. You know how you're reading this right now? So are thousands of other people. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your business or event in front of...