At its core, Empower Missouri is an anti-poverty organization. You often hear about our priority issues areas; affordable housing, criminal legal system reform, and food security, but we know that to truly end poverty, we have to address the myriad factors that create and sustain it.  Family Planning and the Impact for Families in Poverty...Read More

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – 11 March 2025 — On Monday, March 10, HB 595 was passed by Missouri’s Senate Committee on Local Government, Elections, and Pensions, moving us one step closer to enshrining discrimination against Missouri’s poorest tenants into state law. HB 595, and its companion bill, SB 507, would prevent municipalities in Missouri from...Read More

Growing up, it was just expected that kids in Jessica’s neighborhood would eventually end up involved with the legal system. Poverty and limited opportunities led many to drugs and alcohol, and eventually to crime. At age 16, she had her first child and dropped out of school to be able to provide for them. Selling...Read More

Extensive research has linked participation in school meals to improved outcomes such as increased cognitive function, academic achievement, standardized test scores, and attendance rates. When our children have full plates, they can reach their full potential thus facilitating the growth and prosperity of Missouri as a whole. Use the form below to email your legislators...Read More

Position Title: Operations Director Reports to: Executive Director Position Summary: Empower Missouri is seeking an Operations Director to join our team.  The Operations Director will partner with the Executive Director in growing the organization’s internal infrastructure in the years ahead.  This role’s primary function is in finance, with additional responsibilities in human resources, operations &...Read More

January 13, 2025 Organizational Background Empower Missouri is a 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Empower Missouri is to secure basic human needs and equal justice for every person in our state through coalition-building and advocacy. We lead three statewide coalitions (food security, affordable housing, and community justice) and offer a variety of training programs for...Read More

Empower Missouri started in 1901 as an annual conference focused on helping support Missourians who were living in poverty, and over 120 years later, the tradition continues. Last week, we gathered in Columbia, Missouri to learn from experts and from each other, to strategize for the upcoming session, and to be in community. If you...Read More