Weekly Perspective Archives - Empower Missouri

Building our Collective Networks to Fight for Prosperity for All Missourians

In 1901, a group of 41 Missourians came together to form the Missouri Conference on Charities and Corrections, the organization that would eventually become Empower…

What We Know About Housing First for People Experiencing Homelessness

Homelessness is in the news again as communities across Missouri conduct a one-day “point-in-time count,” a brief snapshot of individuals experiencing homelessness throughout our state.…

Building the Next Generation of People-Power: The Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship

As part of Empower Missouri’s momentous 125th Anniversary celebrations, we are thrilled to announce our new Charles Ellwood Graduate Fellowship program, named for one of…

Show-Me the Data: The Weak Relationship Between Evidence and Criminal Justice Policy in Missouri

Facts and rhetoric are frequently misaligned when it comes to anti-poverty policy. This is especially true in the criminal justice arena, where public perceptions of…

Swapping Income Tax and Sales Tax Revenue Would Be a Lose-Lose for Missourians

Haircuts. Car repairs. Bus fares. Netflix and audiobooks. These could all get more expensive if plans to impose new taxes on services and phase out…

Hello From Our New Associate Director of Development, Tony Baker

Missouri sure has changed since I left my home area of Cape Girardeau 25 years ago. When I was growing up, we were a swing…

125 Years of People-Powered Policy Change – Celebrating Our Anniversary in 2026

A sample of programs from Empower's annual conference throughout the years. This week is a big one for Empower Missouri: the start of another legislative…

Key Votes for Federal Housing Funding Coming Soon

When Congress returns in January, the U.S. Senate will face a series of votes that will determine the future of federal housing programs Missourians rely…

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking — Public Charge Rule

To Whom It May Concern: Empower Missouri is a non-profit, nonpartisan anti-poverty organization that has worked for more than 120 years to improve the health…

Hello From Our New Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Erica Robbins

Advocate (n.) a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy (rhymes with kit) Advocate (v.) publicly recommend or support (rhymes with…

Perspectiva semanal