What We Do
At Social Innovation Lab, we:
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​Partner with communities to design and strengthen social programs.
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Conduct research to understand needs and measure impact.
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Build collaborations that connect people, organizations, and resources.
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Support youth and families through innovative initiatives.
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Create spaces for residents of Wichita to shape the systems that affect their lives.
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Work toward lasting, community-led solutions that improve quality of life.
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Turn what we learn into easy-to-use toolkits so other communities can bring our programs to life.
Our Mission
​We exist to drive community-led change through partnerships and research to build equitable, innovative, and sustainable systems.
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We envision equipped and empowered communities leading lasting change from within.
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We put these words into action every day through projects that strengthen families, equip youth with life skills, expand food access, and foster local leadership. Our approach blends evidence-based programs with deep local relationships, ensuring every initiative is not just impactful—but built to last.
Our Values
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Integrity & Accountability - We hold ourselves to the highest standards, staying honest and transparent in everything we do.
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Compassion & Respect - We approach people and communities with care, empathy, and dignity.
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Equity & Inclusivity - We strive to ensure everyone has a voice and fair opportunity to shape the systems that affect their lives.
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Empowerment - We believe in equipping people with the tools and confidence to lead change from within their communities.
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Sustainability - We build programs and partnerships that last, creating long-term impact beyond quick fixes.
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Collaboration - We work together - with communities and partners - to spark ideas, share resources, and achieve more.
Our History
Social Innovation Lab (SIL) is unique in many ways—from our small but mighty team to the wide reach of our programs. And our history is just as distinctive.
Founded in 2016 by Dr. Matthew Shepherd, SIL began with a clear focus: improving social programs through greater effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Dr. Shepherd brought decades of experience as an independent evaluator for nonprofit organizations and a passion for innovative ideas that could help programs make a deeper, lasting impact. Some of those ideas have been tested, some have thrived—and each one has shaped the organization we are today.
Since our founding, SIL has been in a constant state of evolution. We’ve experienced our share of trials and rejections, but also remarkable breakthroughs and successes. Each step—whether a challenge or a victory—has fueled our growth and sharpened our vision.
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At the heart of it all is our team. We truly believe our people are our greatest asset. Yes, you’ve heard that before—but here, it’s more than a saying. It’s the reason we can innovate, adapt, and deliver programs that create meaningful change in communities across Kansas and beyond.