Dozens meet in Colby, sparking action to bridge cultural gaps

From Left:  LeLan Dains, Founder and Executive Director of Kansas Spanish Speakers,  Family Resource Center Services Director Liz Merchan-Salazar, and LiveWell Northwest Kansas Director Travis Rickford. Photo credit: Christina Beringer

Colby, Kan. – Nearly two dozen community leaders and residents from across northwest Kansas gathered at the Colby Event Center on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, for The Biggest Table workshop, hosted by LiveWell Northwest Kansas in partnership with Kansas Spanish Speakers. The event brought together influential voices from healthcare, education, social services, and local businesses to discuss practical ways to foster stronger connections between English- and Spanish-speaking residents.

The evening featured insightful discussions led by LeLan Dains, Founder and Executive Director of Kansas Spanish Speakers, along with Community Outreach Specialist Luisana Chaida and their team. Participants included LiveWell Northwest Kansas Director Travis Rickford, Family Resource Center Services Director Liz Merchan-Salazar, and bilingual representatives from Family Center for Healthcare, Colby Public Schools, Sheridan County Health Department, social work and community health organizations, local clergy, and engaged community members seeking ways to make a difference.

Embracing Change for a Thriving Future

Dains opened the discussion with a stark reminder about the state’s shifting health and demographic landscape. “In 1992, Kansas ranked 9th in the country for overall health,” he noted. “Today, we’ve dropped to 29th. We’re not doing very well.” While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Dains encouraged participants to take small but meaningful steps toward positive change. “We’re not going to change the world tonight,” he said, “but just showing up, having these conversations, and opening the door for networking and opportunity is the first step. Great work takes time.”

Noticing the increase in the number of Hispanic families in Colby schools, Martha Balbuena, Little Eagles Pre-K at Colby Elementary School, was one of many people in attendance excited to make a local impact and help Hispanic students and their families feel more welcome. She agreed more resources need to be made available to help students, families and faculty, alike.

Dains also shared data illustrating the region’s demographic shifts. In Colby, the Hispanic population grew from 4% in 2010 to 8% in 2020. Nearby Goodland saw an increase from 11% to 15% in the same period. Similar growth trends are visible across Kansas, particularly in communities like Emporia, where Kansas Spanish Speakers first began. “Demographics are changing,” said Dains. “Communities are shrinking, younger generations are leaving, and new residents—including Spanish-speaking families—are moving in. If we don’t welcome them, they’ll simply find a community that does.”

Practical Solutions for Language Barriers

Kansas Spanish Speakers gave everyone in attendance a free booklet called "A Starter Guide to Connecting Communities Through Language." Dains referred to it many times during the presentation as a helpful resource to help break down language barriers.

Dains described the wide-ranging services offered by Kansas Spanish Speakers, many of which are available at no cost, including:

• Translation assistance for critical documents

• Connections to legal and immigration resources

• Help obtaining driver’s licenses and social services

• Language support for businesses and organizations

A key takeaway was the importance of functionality in communication, rather than fluency.

“You don’t have to become fluent in Spanish to engage with Spanish-speaking residents,” Dains emphasized. “Instead, use tools like Google Translate to facilitate interactions. A simple effort to communicate—even if imperfect—shows compassion and can make a world of difference.”

He demonstrated how businesses, schools, and service providers can use free translation tools to improve customer service and build stronger relationships with Spanish-speaking residents. “When someone walks into your business or asks for help at the grocery store, don’t let language be a barrier,” he urged. “Even a small effort to connect can make someone feel seen, valued, and welcomed.”

Dains demonstrates many beneficial features of Google Translate, a free app he encourages everyone to have readily available.

A Growing Hispanic Population in Colby Schools

During the discussion, Hollie Timson, a Spanish teacher at Colby High School, shared firsthand insights on the rising Hispanic student population in Colby. “When I first started teaching here more than a decade ago, we identified almost 10 students district-wide who lived in non-English-speaking homes,” she said. “Today, that number has grown to 80-90 students.”

Recognizing this shift, the school district has recently committed to hiring additional staff to better support Spanish-speaking students and their families, and to provide additional resources for faculty and staff.

Timson’s excitement for growth and inclusion underscored a key message of the event: efforts to bridge language and cultural gaps benefit everyone—English and Spanish speakers alike.

“These efforts don’t just benefit Hispanic families and students,” said Timson. “It benefits our entire school, all of our teachers and students, the faculty and the community … by being inclusive and improving communication.”

Recognizing and Expanding Existing Resources

LiveWell Northwest Kansas Director Travis Rickford reminded attendees that Colby is already fortunate to have many valuable resources in place.

“We aren’t starting from scratch—our community has a strong foundation to build on,” said Rickford. “Citizens Health has bilingual interpreters and professionals on staff, several of whom are here tonight. LiveWell also has two bilingual employees who support family resources, early childhood education, and insurance navigation. This event isn’t just about identifying gaps—it’s about making sure we connect the dots and ensure people know how to access the resources we already have while working toward doing even more. Our job is to walk alongside the individual and our community, and help however we can.”

A Call to Action: Building an Inclusive Future

Dains closed the workshop with a powerful reflection on the importance of embracing change for the future of Kansas communities. “Our communities cannot be well if we ignore the changes happening around us,” he said. “Immigration has always fueled this great nation—and I believe it always will. In biology, we learn that for an ecosystem to thrive, it must be diverse. The same is true for our communities.”

He challenged attendees to think beyond discussion and take action—whether by learning a few key phrases in Spanish, using translation tools, or advocating for inclusive policies and resources. “How can we invest in helping Spanish-speaking residents remain here?” he asked. “How can we actively attract them to our communities, instead of pushing them away? The answer starts with simple efforts to connect.”

To learn more about programs and services offered by the two organizations founded by Dains, Emporia Spanish Speakers and Kansas Spanish Speakers, visit www.EmporiaSpanishSpeakers.com.

News and information about activities and programs initiated by LiveWell Northwest Kansas can be found online at www.LiveWellNWK.org.

To join the local movement in bridging cultural gaps, email LiveWell’s Family Resource Center Services Director Liz Merchan-Salazar at lizm@nwksprevention.com.