GCCC Students Help Bring First Safe Haven Baby Box to Western Kansas
[Garden City, KS] July 29, 2025 -- Two Garden City Community College students are making a life-saving impact far beyond the classroom. Kadence Butteris and Ava Wilson, both students in GCCC’s spring 2024 English II course, played a pivotal role in the installation of the first-ever Safe Haven Baby Box in Western Kansas.
As part of their final project in persuasive writing, students in English II were challenged to identify a problem facing the campus or community and develop a compelling presentation to convince local or college officials to adopt their proposed solution. Butteris and Wilson chose to focus on Safe Haven Baby Boxes: secure, anonymous devices that offer a safe option for surrendering infants during times of crisis.
Their initial presentation was delivered to the community, including local fire officials, Battalion Chief McEntee, Fire Inspector Crittenden, and Lieutenant Freeman, on April 30, 2024. The department was so moved by the students’ message that they invited the pair to present to the Garden City Commission during a town hall meeting that evening. Their compelling case for the initiative earned enthusiastic support from city leadership and first responders.
The result of their advocacy is now a reality. The Safe Haven Baby Box has been installed at Garden City Fire Department Station 3, located at 3535 Schulman Avenue, marking a significant milestone in regional public safety and child welfare.
A dedication and blessing ceremony for the new Safe Haven Baby Box will be held on Wednesday, July 30, at 5:00 PM at Station 3, and the community is warmly invited to attend.
“This project is a shining example of what happens when education, community partnership, and student leadership come together for a greater cause,” said Dr. Ryan Ruda, President of Garden City Community College. “Kadence and Ava took what they learned in class and turned it into action that will save lives. We are incredibly proud of their initiative, compassion, and leadership.”
Safe Haven Baby Boxes provide a discreet and legal option for parents to surrender their newborns in accordance with Kansas’ Safe Haven Law. Once a baby is placed inside the climate-controlled box, a silent alarm notifies emergency responders, who arrive within minutes.
The Garden City installation is the first of its kind in Western Kansas. It expands critical access to safe surrender options and offers hope to families in crisis.
From left, GCCC Students Ava Wilson and Kadence Butteris present their final project on the importance of the Safe Haven Baby Box initiative.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.