MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson nonprofit focused on pediatric therapy is working to expand its reach and services as it launches a major fundraising effort aimed at building a permanent facility to serve families across Reno County and beyond.
Clothed in Compassion, founded by Dr. Megan Bartley, was created to address a critical gap in local therapy services for children with developmental and sensory needs. Bartley said the organization’s mission is rooted in identifying and filling unmet needs within the community.
“Clothed in Compassion is a nonprofit pediatric therapy clinic here in Hutchinson, and our DNA is to fill the gap,” Bartley said. “When we see a need in our community, we want to do whatever we can to meet it.”
Since launching about three and a half years ago, the organization has provided speech and occupational therapy services while also developing more than 20 additional programs and initiatives. These include sensory-friendly events, caregiver support groups, specialized haircuts, and community education efforts.
The demand for services remains high. Bartley noted that some families still travel significant distances—including from Pratt and Great Bend—to access therapy, highlighting an ongoing regional shortage of pediatric resources.
To meet that growing demand, Clothed in Compassion has launched its “Compassion in Action” campaign, with a goal of raising approximately $1.2 million to develop a permanent facility in Reno County.
The vision extends beyond a traditional clinic. Plans include therapy rooms, sensory gyms, a training and conference space, and an inclusive, ADA-compliant playground—something Bartley said is currently lacking in the county.
“We’re really talking about more of a campus,” Bartley said. “A place where families can come not just for therapy, but for community, education, and support.”
The proposed campus would also allow the nonprofit to expand programs such as its Kitchen Hero Academy and provide dedicated spaces for caregivers, including lounges and support areas.
While funding is a primary hurdle, Bartley said additional support is needed in areas such as land acquisition and construction planning. The organization is actively seeking community members, businesses, and professionals willing to contribute to a building subcommittee or support the campaign.
Despite the ambitious goal, Bartley said success is already being measured through the families served.
“Supporting one child, supporting one family to do what’s meaningful to them—that’s success,” she said.
Families seeking services or community members interested in supporting the initiative can contact Clothed in Compassion by phone, online, or through its fundraising platform.
Bartley said the long-term goal remains clear: to create a space where children with disabilities and their families feel supported, included, and empowered to thrive.