Habitaciones Para Latinos Association has expanded its operations to Wichita Kansas after beginning its effort to help the communities of Kansas in Kansas City. Starting its 11th year as a charitable Non-Profit HPLA founder and current Chairman Robert Flores decided to move to Wichita in November 2023. Having had great success in helping folks at grass root levels in Kansas City the time to turn the reigns over to others was past due. Approaching 80 years of age and unable to do the heavy lifting the time to retire had arrived. A director for Kansas City is being sought but the work will not stop.

https://www.ksn.com/gooddaykansas/hpla-charities/

A native of Texas, Robert had been born in a very small town but soon the family moved to San Antonio where he attended school, he begin his working career at 11 years old and enlisted with the US Air Force in the mist of the Vietnam Conflict at 17. Graduating from L.W. Fox Vocational & Technical High and awarded fourth place as the top Machinist in the Vocational/Industrial Club of Texas now known as VICA or the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (1964). Robert served 8 weeks in boot camp at Lackland AFB, Texas. before being assigned to McConnell AFB, Kansas as a flight line machinist. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing became the 355th and was flying the infamous Republic F-105 Thunderchief. As a training base McConnell hosted two tactical fighter wings as well as hosted the 381st Strategic Missile Wing which managed the missile silos that housed 18 Titan II missiles in and around Kansas.

From Stratigic-Air-Command.com (Air Training Command was host at the base from 1951 through 1958, when the Strategic Air Command took over. In 1960, the first of 18 Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile sites was constructed and missiles placed. This led to the activation of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing on March 1, 1962.  From 1963 through 1972, McConnell served as a Tactical Air Command base also with the 381st Strategic Missile Wing as its major tenant. TAC units operating at McConnell during this period included: the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, flying F-105s and the flying Tigers of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing. Also flying F-105 Thunderchief’s)

Approximately one year after Robert’s arrival, the 355th and all its personnel would be assigned to bases in Thailand. A very few of the wings personal would be left behind and reassigned or discharged. Having met and married his life partner Donna Shelton they spent most of their first year apart but managed to be blessed with a daughter shortly after Robert’s deployment. Life in the Air Force started in Wichita as well as the start of now over 60 years of marriage and the birth of three lovely daughters all in Wichita. A son did not make it full term and Robert & Donna’s youngest daughter fell victim to breast cancer in 2016. A grandson was lost in a motorcycle accident in 2018. (HPLA’s work T-Shirts are printed with a memorandum for them on the front). Two daughters and two granddaughters remain close by and very much involved in supporting HPLA. The family has been very fortunate and blessed in so many ways that in unison they have agreed to pay it forward by using skills acquired by education, mentors and supporters of the family.

Efforts are currently being made to turn the reigns over to someone in the Wichita area to lead HPLA. But until then the work goes on with volunteers or paid contractors when absolutely necessary. Robert talks about the joy of fond memories with friends and family now here in Wichita surmising that ending the game right here where it started brings great utility and a since of accomplishment. He and Donna attend the Base Chapel at McConnell AFB, where they were married.

The needs of low-income families to maintain their homes is tremendous as are the needs of young military families whose cost of living has exceeded their income. To that point HPLA has expanded its mission to include help with other expenses beyond home repair which is the charities mission. Wichita is a very generous city, and help is great but is exceeded by demands. As a small charity HPLA is able to get closer to the source of those in need and finds directing folks to specialty charities a bonus. There is very little red tape required to get help. Robert has partnered with one church for help with transportation and housekeeping and another with safe access and egress support for eligible citizens. The need to embellish the “Better Together Ideology” to include the covering all issues of folks in need across the state has become essential. Whether a family in need is in Kansas City or Wichita HPLA will make every effort to help. So, please pass HPLA’s contact information along. For those of you who provide in-home care, God Bless You and don’t hesitate to let folks you serve know there are individuals and organizations here to provide answers to problems no matter how big or small they may appear.

HPLA needs volunteers and money to buy supplies. They have no paid staff or are any donations misdirected to help anyone but the clients they serve. There is no paid staff or cost for overhead taken from donations. Sponsors and grants are needed for overhead costs and some projects that require serious financial support. If business leaders or owners can help, please be assured your financial support it will be used as you demand.

A call to 913-269-4450 is for connecting with a live person. If no answer please leave a message or send a text or email to: HPLACharities@gmail.com for a prompt reply. An article in the Kansas City Star was a God Sent as it reached a huge audience that helped to make folks in need aware of HPLA’s existence. Hopefully the generosity of KSN and its affiliated media channels will do the same in Sedgwick County.

HPLA Charites aka Habitaciones para latinos Association is a registered 501c3 in Kansas and with the IRS. EIN 81-1800518