Safe Streets Wichita, Inc. is deeply rooted in the pioneering vision of those who have built community through DIY culture—a culture that thrives on grassroots organizing, creativity, and collective care. As a prevention and harm reduction organization, we are committed to addressing the systemic failures that have long harmed marginalized communities, including the War on Drugs—a 40+ year failure that was, at its core, a war on people. This deeply flawed campaign has disproportionately targeted Black, Brown, and low-income communities, perpetuating cycles of harm while failing to address the root causes of substance use and addiction.
DIY culture and grassroots movements have long served as lifelines for those most impacted by systemic injustice, creating spaces where art, music, and activism intersect to challenge exploitation and foster solidarity. These movements, driven by the enduring contributions of Black innovators who shaped alternative genres like punk, house, and hip-hop, have become powerful platforms for resistance, recovery, healing, and reclaiming narratives erased or co-opted by mainstream systems.
In this spirit, harm reduction remains at the heart of everything we do—a protective cloak that prioritizes dignity, compassion, and solidarity. Creating safer, more inclusive spaces is vital in countering the systemic harm caused by policies and systems that exploit marginalized people while profiting from their innovation. Through our collaboration with Long Live DIY.ks, we create spaces where creativity, culture, and collective action flourish, providing communities with the tools and support they need to reclaim their agency and foster lasting resilience.
Safe Streets Wichita, Inc. proudly carries this legacy forward. Together, we amplify voices, foster unity, and demonstrate that justice and transformation come from grassroots organizing and radical inclusion. We take care of each other because we understand that in the face of systemic failures, we’re all we’ve got—and that’s more than enough to create real, lasting change.
Aonya Kendrick Barnett is the CEO of Safe Streets Wichita, Inc., a prevention and harm reduction organization based in downtown Wichita, dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive communities through grassroots initiatives.
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