Topeka JUMP is a long-running, clergy- and congregation-driven organizing effort that turns faith communities into a coordinated civic force.

 Topeka JUMP (Justice, Unity, & Ministry Project) is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and congregation-based community organizing group in Topeka/Shawnee County, Kansas. It focuses on systemic policy and funding changes to address issues affecting marginalized groups.

It is part of the DART (Direct Action and Research Training) network of similar organizations.

History and Structure

Founded in 2012 by a group of local clergy seeking to live out a biblical call to justice (drawing heavily on Micah 6:8: “What does the LORD require of you? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”). It started small and has grown into a coalition of roughly 30–36 faith communities.

These include a diverse mix of United Methodist churches, Baptist, Catholic, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Episcopal, non-denominational, and others (examples from past lists: Asbury Mt. Olive UMC, El Shaddai Ministries, Grace Episcopal Cathedral, University UMC, Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Southern Hills Mennonite, Temple Beth Sholom, and more). Member congregations supply the bulk of the “people power.”

The model is classic DART-style organizing:

• Congregations identify problems through listening and surveys.
• Members research solutions and build relationships with decision-makers.
• Large public assemblies pressure officials for specific, public commitments.
• Follow-up ensures accountability.

It has received awards from NAMI Kansas (2015), Living the Dream Inc. (2017), Topeka Center for Peace and Justice (2018), and Cornerstone of Topeka (2019).

Leadership and Staff

• Lead Organizer / Director: Sarah Balzer (hired around early 2023 after founder Shanae Calhoun/Elem left to start Willow Consulting). Balzer previously worked with the sister organization Justice Matters in Lawrence; she has a social work background and Mennonite ties. She has been the consistent public face in coverage through at least 2024–2025.
• Associates historically include Jason Maymon and Austin Christ (Christ was referenced as a spokesman around the April 2026 assembly).
• Co-chairs / Executive team: Rotate among clergy and lay leaders from member congregations (examples in recent years: Melodine/Melodene Byrd of El Shaddai, Christine Potter, Rev. Lorna Boden of Tecumseh UMC, Rev. Harry Christian, Rev. Curtis Odum, and others).

Exact current staffing can shift; the best source is direct contact with the organization.

Office and Contact

• Address: 3033 SW MacVicar St. (sometimes listed as Ave.), Topeka, KS 66611.
• Phone: (785) 783-3721
• Email: topeka.jump@gmail.com
• Website: topekajump.com (includes donation link and basic campaign info)

Meetings and Events

Yes, they hold regular and large-scale meetings. The structure is intentional and public-facing:

• Community Problems Assembly — Members vote on priority issues for the year (example: November 3, 2025, at El Shaddai Ministries, 920 SE Sherman Ave.).
• Rally / Solutions events — Mid-year (e.g., March 2026).
• Nehemiah Action Assembly — The signature annual event (typically April or early May). Hundreds to over 1,000 people from member congregations fill a venue (most often Washburn University’s Lee Arena at 1901 SW Mulvane St., sometimes White Concert Hall). Officials are invited, research and personal stories are presented, and specific public commitments are sought. Recent example: April 30, 2026, at Lee Arena, focused on affordable housing, homelessness, food insecurity, and violence reduction, with attendance around 1,050.
• Justice Ministry Celebration — Usually June.
• Campaign-specific steering committees and research teams meet more frequently.
• Occasional moral marches / rallies (e.g., April 19, 2026, housing march from University United Methodist Church to a Habitat for Humanity project site, with participants carrying symbolic paper keys).

Locations rotate among Washburn venues and member churches. Childcare is sometimes offered at large assemblies. Formats can adjust for health guidelines.

Current and Recent Campaigns / Impact

They pursue multi-year campaigns with measurable policy wins:

• Safe & Affordable Housing (ongoing since ~2015): Helped pass the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund ordinance (2019). Continues pushing for permanent annual public funding (target often cited as $2 million) or dedicated revenue such as a sales tax. Recent moral marches and Nehemiah commitments from city officials.
• Mental Health Crisis / Crisis Intervention: Worked for Crisis Intervention Center (CIC) beds so people in crisis go to treatment rather than jail or ER. Secured significant state funding commitments for Valeo Behavioral Health (plans for dozens of beds).
• Violence Reduction: Advocated for evidence-based Group Violence Intervention strategies; related efforts include the Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition (CIVIC), which received startup funding.
• Homelessness: Elevated as a major priority around 2023–2024 (including calls for low-barrier shelter options).
• Food Insecurity (newest major campaign as of late 2025/2026): Voted in by network members; announced a grocery delivery partnership model (inspired by a Dallas program) aimed at food deserts, especially central Topeka where insecurity rates are much higher.
• Past campaigns: Expanded Oxford House recovery beds, public transit pilot programs (SOTO/NETO), education supports (Communities in Schools), predatory lending reform (paused), and budget restorations for mental health services.

They emphasize data, personal testimony, and sustained pressure rather than one-off protests. Coverage appears regularly in the Topeka Capital-Journal, WIBW, and other local outlets.

Summary

Topeka JUMP is a long-running, clergy- and congregation-driven organizing effort that turns faith communities into a coordinated civic force. Its power comes from large, disciplined public assemblies that extract specific commitments from elected officials and agency leaders, followed by accountability work. The office is on SW MacVicar, the most visible “head” role is the Lead Organizer (Sarah Balzer in recent years), and the big public meetings are the annual Nehemiah Action Assemblies plus problem-identification and celebration events.

For the absolute latest on leadership, exact meeting schedules, or involvement, contact them directly via the phone, email, or website above—organizational details evolve with staff and campaign cycles.