1.0Empoderar a Missourihttps://empowermissouri.org/esNatalie Wilkinshttps://empowermissouri.org/es/author/natalieempowermissouri-org/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="rCLNxalmdV"><a href="https://empowermissouri.org/es/from-supporting-students-to-shaping-systems/">From Supporting Students to Shaping Systems</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://empowermissouri.org/es/from-supporting-students-to-shaping-systems/embed/#?secret=rCLNxalmdV" width="600" height="338" title="“From Supporting Students to Shaping Systems” — Empower Missouri" data-secret="rCLNxalmdV" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://empowermissouri.org/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script>http://empowermissouri.org/app/uploads/2025/10/Natalie-Intro-WP-2.png19201200Three years and a half years ago, in a little town in southwest New Mexico, I worked in a high school. I was working towards my teaching degree because I wanted to be a positive influence and make a difference in kids’ lives. In this position, I saw the true inequity in our community. Watching students struggle with access to food, housing, and lack of access to resources was a hard, heart-wrenching thing to witness. And five months ago, I packed up a U-Haul trailer, drove 16 hours, and settled in southeast Missouri with my partner. Why, do you ask? This experience in the educational setting changed my perspective: how can I help this community? This changed the trajectory of my career and solidified my belief that lasting change takes place in the policy world. In response, I took up communications in the advocacy space, working to expand campaigns on critical issues from healthcare access to voting rights. Starting over somewhere new is just as exciting as it is humbling. Now, I have a chance to see the world from a new point of view. Since arriving in Missouri, I’ve noticed the way people show up for each other here in times of challenge reminds me why I care so deeply about the work we do. As I have learned more about the state legislative process, our key issues, and how policy affects Missourians’ daily lives, I have never felt so motivated to work to combat poverty. This is why I am so proud to join the team here at Empower Missouri. In my previous community, families—including my own—faced barriers to combating poverty. I know what it’s like to live with limited resources and the uncertainty of meals. Those experiences taught me that inequity is deeply personable, and can affect anybody. Now I am eager to help tell the stories of Missourians that will drive change across our state. Listening, learning, and uplifting voices of those people most affected helps combat the barriers of poverty in our communities.