Date: February 19, 2025 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our opposition to SB 196 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our...Lee mas

Date: February 18, 2025 To: Senator Curtis Trent, Chairman, and members of the Senator General Laws Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 225 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we...Lee mas

A fresh start after being released from prison and becoming a returning citizen should be an amazing feeling; however, that isn’t the case for many of Missouri’s formerly incarcerated individuals. The reality is that most formerly incarcerated individuals face a major barrier in finding housing and stability. This is an even more challenging experience due...Lee mas

Hey Empower Missouri Family! I am the new Criminal Justice Policy Manager. I am so excited to join the Empower team. With our 2024 theme being “Policy Change Needs People Power,” I believe that in 2025, utilizing the power of the people, we can build stronger communities through radical and liberating policy strategies and wins....Lee mas