
We do what our community needs.
Our Purpose

Our Story
Click through the timeline below to see how we have met the needs of the southwest Missouri community over the years.
Grassroots Beginnings
Serving More in Need
New Name, Same Promise
Making Space for All
Bringing the Best Together
United in doing what needs to be done, our team draws from a variety of backgrounds to serve kids, the grown-ups in their lives, and the communities they live in.

Jen Black
Executive Director

Tammy Blaylock
Director of Kids Programming

Mark Box
Driver’s Ed Instructor

Marlissa Diggs
Director of Grown-Ups Programming

Marilyn Hurst
Office Manager

Peggy Lentz
Parenting Education Coordinator

Jean Letner
Building Bridges Coordinator

Kathy Lewis
Director of Finance

India Malherbe
Pop Up Produce Coordinator

Charlene Pryor
Early Childhood Coordinator

Bridgett Rundall
Early Childhood Pre-K Specialist

Lydia Smith
Early Childhood Infant-Toddler Specialist

Bailey Stehm
Director of Development
Meet Our Board
Leadership from these local community volunteers is crucial to our success.

Dustin Parker
Board President
Mercy Hospital; Sports Medicine Manager

Kathy Vanwey
Board Vice President
OWN Inc.; Executive Vice President

Joe Malin
Board Treasurer
Liberty

Jordan Dickey
Board Secretary
Executive Director of Student Affairs, Joplin Schools

Josh Flora
Board Member
Webb-City R-VII Schools Asst. Superintendent

Tom Furrh
Board Member
Foster Adopt Connect; Joplin Branch Director

Melissa Hogan
Board Member
Farmers Insurance; Owner/Agent

Scott Vorhees
Board Member
Johnson, Vorhees & Martucci Injury Attorneys; Founding Partner

Nicole Peeples
Board Member
Mercy Hospital; Executive Director

Roy Teed
Board Member
Jasper County Sherrif’s Office; Seargent
