Empower Missouri

You can purchase your ticket to the 2024 Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit at: EmpowerMissouri.org/summit to join us in just a little over 2 weeks! The Summit will include amazing speakers like Dan Ferris, who will be leading the breakout session "Equity at the Center: Influencing Policy with Data, Evidence, and Storytelling." This session explores and reimagines the roles of analysis, data, and evidence in advancing policy. In today’s complex and data-rich world, policymakers, analysts, advocates, and organizational leaders alike must effectively and equitably collect, analyze, interpret, and utilize data to drive evidence-based policy-making processes. Participants will gain knowledge and familiarity with specific methods and frameworks for leveraging data and evidence in the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies. Through case studies, practical exercises, and interactive discussions, participants will apply their own experience and policy priorities to considering how blending data, evidence, and storytelling can address complex policy challenges and drive positive social change. Image description: "Speaker Spotlight" graphic with a photo of Dan Ferris (Associate Director of Education and Training, Washington University in St. Louis) and the title of the breakout session on a blue background with the Empower Missouri Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit 2024 logo #EmpowerMO #Missouri #Advocacy #Event #Community #Education

Empower Missouri Executive Director Mallory Rusch was recently a guest on the Voices of Impact: Leading the Social Movement radio show! She had an amazing conversation with the hosts, Kathy and Brad Lambert, founders of KBL Impact Partners, about her nonprofit journey, the difference between advocacy and lobbying, why it’s vital for nonprofits to engage in advocacy work, how Empower Missouri’s coalitions and training programs support nonprofits in advocacy work, and so much more. You can listen to the recording here: youtu.be/iHeLYx8I5u0 Image description: KBL Impact Partners graphic reading "Voices of Impact: Tune in to our inspiring conversation!" with photos of the hosts and Mallory Rusch #EmpowerMO #Missouri #Advocacy #Nonprofit #Community

Your voice matters: vote NO on Amendment 6 this November! Amendment 6 would tie law enforcement pensions to fees from tickets and fines, an approach that hurts low-income families and does not generate stable funds. If you have not already read our Weekly Perspective blog post on this topic, you can learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gTA8RSvb Image description: a gray background with blue text reading "This November vote no on Amendment 6" with a photo of a vote being placed in a ballot box #sayNOto6 #Vote #Missouri

You can purchase your ticket to the 2024 Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit at: EmpowerMissouri.org/summit! The Summit will include amazing speakers like Bobby Bostic, Syreta Toson, and Mataka Askari, who will be panelists for the session "Hear from the Experts: Experiences of Incarceration, Reentry, and Advocacy." This session is a panel discussion featuring three experts with lived experiences of incarceration who are active in vital advocacy work in Missouri. Bobby Bostic is a writer and speaker who has authored an autobiography, books of poetry, and more. His focus is on helping troubled youth and pushing for systems change. Syreta Toson is a motivational speaker and podcaster, as well as Executive Director of A Home for Her, a nonprofit organization that directly assists women affected by domestic violence and those returning home from incarceration. Mataka Askari is a Certified Peer Specialist and group facilitator. He is currently employed by Connections to Success where he does reentry work and facilitates classes while also doing work with Columbia Public Schools. This panel session will be facilitated by Patrick Benson, Empower Missouri Community Justice Intern. Image description: 3 "Speaker Spotlight" graphics with photos of Bobby Bostic (Writer & Speaker, Mind Diamonds), Syreta Toson (Executive Director, A Home for Her) & Mataka Askari (Peer Support Specialist & Group Facilitator, Connections to Success) and the title of the breakout session on a blue background with the Empower Missouri Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit 2024 logo #EmpowerMO #Missouri #Advocacy #Event #Community #Education

“Everyone deserves to live in a quality home, regardless of their income level,” [Kai] says. She believes that all housing units should be well-kept and safe, and she advocates for a tenants’ rights board in Springfield to ensure that renters have a voice. Read more in our newest Weekly Perspective blog post here: https://lnkd.in/dGeuHyqb Image description: blue text reading "New Weekly Perspective on the Blog! Tenant Voices – Kai’s Story" with a photo of Kai and a background photo of a group holding their hands in a circle #EmpowerMO #WeeklyPerspective #Blog #Housing #AffordableHousing #Missouri

You can purchase your ticket to the 2024 Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit at: EmpowerMissouri.org/summit! The Summit will include amazing speakers like Christine Dragonette and Sara Ruiz, who will be leading the breakout session "Power of a Picture: ID Access." This session will explore the power of a simple picture, specifically on a Missouri photo identification card. Speakers Christine Dragonette and Sara Ruiz both run weekly programs that help Missourians obtain a copy of their birth certificate and a non-driver photo ID. Additionally, they co-facilitate the MO ID Access Coalition, which recently kicked off a three-year project to pursue structural and relational changes to the systems that govern ID access and strengthen the statewide coalition. Evidence-informed, community-led advocacy efforts can expand ID access and advance policies to eliminate inequities. Image description: 2 "Speaker Spotlight" graphics with photos of Christine Dragonette (Director of Social Ministry, St. Francis Xavier College) & Sara Ruiz (Executive Director, Ashrei Foundation) and the title of the breakout session on a blue background with the Empower Missouri Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit 2024 logo #EmpowerMO #Missouri #Advocacy #Event #Community #Education

"Recently, I had the chance to interview the incredible Fall 2024 cohort of interns and learn about the unique perspectives they bring to our team. With diverse academic backgrounds and a shared commitment to social justice, each intern contributes something special. Their passion for advocacy and community engagement is truly inspiring." Please join the Empower Missouri team in welcoming: *Patrick Benson, Community Justice Intern *Ayden O’Connor, Development Intern *Hannah Fraser, Affordable Housing Intern *Estelle McLaughlin, Communications Intern Read more in our newest Weekly Perspective blog post by Estelle McLaughlin here: https://lnkd.in/gC6sCWuk Image description: blue text reading "New Weekly Perspective on the Blog! Introducing Our Fall 2024 Interns" with the names and headshots of the four interns listed above #EmpowerMO #WeeklyPerspective #Blog #Welcome

You can purchase your ticket to the 2024 Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit at: EmpowerMissouri.org/summit! The Summit will include amazing speakers like Amy R. Beck, PhD, who will be leading the breakout session "Protecting Audio-Only Telehealth for Access to Care." This session will review increasing access to healthcare, particularly for rural Missourians, via protecting audio-only telehealth. Participants will receive an overview of telehealth, as well as details about the journey to codify audio-only telehealth protections. Participants will also have the opportunity to join the fight in supporting this legislation in 2025. Image description: "Speaker Spotlight" graphic with a photo of Amy R. Beck, PhD (Clinical Psychologist) and the title of the breakout session on a blue background with the Empower Missouri Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit 2024 logo #EmpowerMO #Missouri #Advocacy #Event #Community #Education

National School Lunch Week is a perfect time to learn more about nutrition access for students! #NSLW24

Missouri Day celebrates our state every year on the third Wednesday in October - which is today! If you'd like to proudly display our state motto - "Salus populi suprema lex esto" (The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law") - and support Empower Missouri at the same time, you can find our state motto t-shirt and magnet in our merch store here: bit.ly/EM-Merch Image description: "Happy Missouri Day!" with the state motto and a picture of one of our t-shirts (the motto appears in Latin on the front over a yellow Missouri, and the motto appears in English on the back with a blue border and the Empower Missouri logo) #EmpowerMO #Missouri