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
Bridgett Rundall
Early Childhood Pre-K Specialist
Marilyn Hurst
Office Manager
Kathy Lewis
Director of Finance
Peggy Lentz
Parenting Education Coordinator
India Malherbe
Pop Up Produce Coordinator
Charlene Pryor
Early Childhood Coordinator
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