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 weren’t able to join us this year, it’s hard to describe the impact of those two days, but I am going to try! If you’ve been around Empower Missouri for a while, you know that the bulk of our work centers around our priority issues: food insecurity, criminal legal system reform, and affordable housing. Each year the Summit features a variety of breakout sessions and speakers highlighting each of these issues, and their solutions. This year’s Summit, we chose to highlight the specific ways poverty interacts with our most vulnerable neighbors, niños. Poverty can impact a person at any age, in complicated and endless ways, but the effects of a childhood spent in poverty can carry on throughout a lifetime. Focusing on childhood poverty meant focusing on ideas and solutions that can help every Missourian, at every stage of life.
At the Summit we learned about experiences of childhood poverty. We heard from speakers sharing their own stories and the stories they’ve been a part of. Presenters led discussion of data and statistics that illustrate the depth of the problem, from long term health outcomes to struggles in academic achievement and wages. Empower Missouri doesn’t stop there, we learn about solutions. Tax credits and other economic policies that can provide support to families, ideas to fight hunger for every Missourian, and reforms for our criminal legal system that prioritize support for justice-involved juveniles, not punishment. Maybe most importantly, we discussed how we can work towards those policy solutions, together. That work will continue through our coalitions, which are meeting monthly now and preparing for the legislative session, and twice monthly beginning in January. All are welcome to join these networks of advocates that are powering the policy changes we seek.
Ending childhood poverty was the theme for our program this year, while our Summit always supports connection. Our connections to each other and to every Missourian affected by what happens in Jefferson City. We started the Summit hearing from Executive Director Mallory Rusch, who discussed the continued need to appeal to Missourians from every walk of life, to listen to and work with everyone who wants to work for the common good, even when we disagree on many things. We took time to highlight those among us that were joining us for the first time, and to recognize the seasoned advocates who have attended for many years now. Walking around the Summit and hearing connections being made, new advocates learning from long-time coalition members, or conversations between two advocates excited for ongoing collaboration, was truly inspiring. The coming session is going to offer many challenges, but we are looking toward our community to power the work ahead.
For our team, the Summit is also a sign that a new legislative session is just around the corner. Missouri’s Legislature will convene in January, and we’ll need every voice in Jefferson City with us fighting for policy solutions to ensure adequate nutrition, equal justice, and safe, affordable housing for every Missourian. Whether or not you were able to join us at the Summit, now is the time to listen to the needs of our neighbors, to learn more about policies that can support Missourians living at or near the poverty line, and to take action for change in our communities. Our coalition members, Alliance members, podcast subscribers and donors all help us continue the work to end poverty for our neighbors.
This year, we’re excited to expand our learning and advocacy opportunities throughout session to help you deepen your skills and knowledge. Find out more below.
Legislative Preview (Tuesday, December 17th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Our Legislative Preview webinar is back at a new day and time! Join us over your lunch hour on Tuesday, December 17th, for the next step in session prep. You’ll hear from Empower Missouri staff with a preview of legislation that has been pre-filed, what else we’re expecting, and what our coalitions and team will be focusing on in 2025. Together, we will look ahead to systems-level change in our state!
More Information & Registration
Back to Session Bootcamp (January 6th – 10th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Each Day)
This NEW virtual event series will focus on skill building to prepare both new and seasoned advocates for the session ahead. We will cover the basics of the legislative process, important faces, how to submit strong testimony, and building relationships with your legislators.
More Information & Registration
Week of Action and Day of Action – Registration Coming Soon!
El Week of Action is back with virtual events throughout the week of February 3rd focused on priority issues and legislation in Empower’s core issue areas: criminal legal system reform, food insecurity, and affordable housing. Each day will feature learning from the experts, and an opportunity to take action to fight poverty through effective policy change.
New this year, our annual Day of Action will be held separately, on Tuesday, February 25th. This is your opportunity to spend the day at the Capitol with the support of Empower Missouri and other advocates, putting skills into action. We’ll rally with other advocates and hear from special guest speakers, meet with legislators, attend hearings, and support anti-poverty legislative actions. Lunch will be provided.
Mark your calendars now, and make sure you are on our mailing list to be notified when registration is open!
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