Longtime community partner Van Go to receive annual Pioneer Award

Lori McSorley, Van Go Executive Director

When Lori McSorley and her team accept the Bert Nash Center’s Pioneer Award on behalf of Van Go, she will be accompanied by Lynne Green, the visionary founder of the organization, who established it nearly 30 years ago.

The award will be presented during the Bert Nash Center’s annual Pioneer Celebration tonight at the Lawrence Arts Center. A reception starts at 5:30, followed by the program at 6.

“Lynne has created such an incredible legacy at Van Go, bringing together art, employment and social services, and we’ve worked hard to carry that forward,” Lori said. “When I learned about the award, it felt like it was a perfect opportunity to honor the amazing foundation Lynne laid.”

Founded in 1997 as a mobile arts outreach program for youth, Van Go has blossomed into a nationally recognized, arts-based employment program for teens and young adults in the Lawrence community.

The Bert Nash Center and Van Go have a long history together. Van Go student artists painted the murals on the second floor of the Community Health Facility, where the Bert Nash Center’s Child and Family Services department has been located since the building opened in 1999.

To illustrate the importance of the partnership between the Bert Nash Center and Van Go, Lori shared the story of a former Van Go student artist named Brant:

“My dad passed away when I was little, and it changed everything. It was incredibly difficult to understand and process something so big at such a young age. That loss marked the beginning of my struggle with mental health and how I saw the world around me. I enrolled in the JAMS (Jobs in the Arts Make Sense) program at Van Go, and they really showed up for me. They listened, they cared, and they helped me feel like I wasn’t alone in what I was going through. The connection between Van Go and Bert Nash is so valuable. Both organizations gave me tools to understand my emotions. That support saved my life. That support helped me get to a better place, and I truly don’t know where I’d be without them. Thank you for believing in me when I needed it most.”

Brant is now a local artist. The assistance he received from the Bert Nash Center and his experience at Van Go launched him into a thriving career.

In working with all of their student artists, Lori explained that Van Go takes a holistic approach to health called the Go Healthy initiative, which is integrated into all its programs.

Lori explained that Van Go’s takes a holistic approach to health called the Go Healthy initiative, which is integrated into all its programs.

“We understand that we can’t be everything to everyone – none of us can,” Lori explained.” That’s why our partnership with Bert Nash is so valuable. They can support the individuals we serve in ways that go beyond our capacity. That’s what’s special about Lawrence. We have so many social service organizations that all come together to help meet the individual where they are. That’s exactly what Van Go does, and that’s what Bert Nash does too, we meet them where they’re at and help give them the tools they need to be successful.”

In 2022, Van Go and the Bert Nash Center collaborated again as student artists created a series of inspiring murals in the outer courtyard of the Community Health Facility.

“That mural is one of my absolute favorites,” Lori said. “At the time it was being created, I was working at Visiting Nurses Association and had a clear view from my office window. I remember watching the artists bring it to life. I even attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and remember thinking ‘what an amazing organization to come in and create this beautiful and meaningful work of art for the community.’ Little did I know that I would be a part of that organization two years later.”

On April 17, Lori celebrated her one-year anniversary as the executive director of Van Go.  Prior to this position, she was the Business Development Manager for the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) for 14 years. While she loved her time with VNA, joining Van Go felt like fulfilling a dream.

“I wasn’t planning on leaving VNA. I loved the work we did there. I loved my team. But when I saw the role come available at Van Go, I thought this is the dream job,” she said.

Spring is mural painting season for Van Go, and in preparation for this mural season, Van Go took the JAMS apprentice artists on a tour of the various Van Go murals that have been painted over the years, showcasing the artists’ collective achievements.

“Every single mural takes on a life of its own. What’s so special about the murals are that the young artists who create them are reflected in every piece, not just with the artistry but through the stories and imagery they choose to share,” Lori said. “It’s a powerful legacy that Lynne began, and it continues to live on through each of these works of art.”