When you follow the career of Family Crisis Center Executive Director Kylee Graves, one constant theme becomes clear. She cares deeply about other people.
“I have always loved helping children and families, and want to continue finding ways to help our community be the best it can be.”
From her prospective leading the Family Crisis Center, she has a unique vantage point from which to view this community and what makes it special. This is also what keeps her here.
“I love how supportive Barton County is when people need help,” she said. “We have a lot of amazing social services agencies that are working together to help make this town and community great.”
Her path here
Graves was born in Ness City and raised in Dighton. She moved to Ellinwood the summer after her eighth-grade year and finished high school there.
Graves graduated Ellinwood High School in 2005 and went to Kansas State University. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in family studies and human services in 2009 with a minor in business and psychology.
“My husband grew up in Claflin and after graduating from college I got a job at The Center for Counseling which is why we moved back,” she said.
Graves lives in Great Bend with her husband Gavin. They have three children, Tashauna 21, Aiden 11 and Isaac 4.
“I began working as the executive director of the Family Crisis Center Inc. in February of 2022,” she said. “Prior to that I was the family support worker at Lincoln Elementary School.”
A passionate advocate and a busy mother
At this point in her life, Graves said she life (work and home) keep her hopping.
“I currently don’t have a lot of other organizations that I volunteer with,” she said. “I spend majority of my time at the Crisis Center or with my children at all of their activities. I do plan to find other ways to volunteer as time allows.”
In fact, key among her hobbies is going to her children’s sporting events. She also likes going to the lake and hitting the gym to workout.
She also attends the First Christian Church here in Great Bend.
Why move?
Sure, one can chose to live in larger city with all the amenities (and drawbacks) they offer. But Graves said Great Bend has the best of both worlds.
“If you want a small town feel that is close to larger towns this is the place for you,” she said. “We’re less than two hours from both Wichita and Salina both, and you can easily make day trips to large cities.”
However, that may not even be necessary because of the features and people here, she said. “Great Bend also has a lot of resources and people who come up with creative entertainment.”
About the Family Crisis Center
The Family Crisis Center Inc. serves 12 counties, the nearest being Barton, Ellsworth, Ness, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford. There is also an office in Pratt.
The FCC’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) provides professional, collaborative relationships with partners as well as compassionate services to children and families who have experienced abuse in a family-friendly environment. The CAC becomes involved with the children and families upon referral from Department for Children and Families (DCF) and/or Law Enforcement in order to assist with the investigative process and provide services through referrals as well as advocacy to the child and family. Services for the CAC are provided in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Ellsworth, Pratt and Stafford counties.
The FCC Domestic and Sexual Violence Center provides free and confidential services to victims of sexual violence in Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford counties.
Community Connections is a regular feature of the Great Bend Tribune, showcasing people who live in the Golden Belt. We welcome readers to submit names of individuals who are active in the community that they would like to see featured in a future story. Send suggestions to news@gbtribune.com and explain their “community connections.”
