In part one of this series, we provided a brief introduction to the concept of private probation – the practice of outsourcing probation services for minor and low-level offenses to private businesses. In the second part of this series, we will explore  the issue in more depth, and answer two questions: how serious is the...Read More

At Empower Missouri, we know that we can change lives through effective and targeted policy change. Too many of our neighbors struggle to get their everyday needs met. Housing insecurity, hunger, over policing, historical exclusion: these negative outcomes we see today are a result of intentional, targeted, often racist policy decisions made generations ago. We...Read More

The 2023 legislative session is just around the corner. In this session, we’ll give you a preview of anti-poverty bills that have been pre-filed and discuss how they may impact you and your community. Empower Missouri’s Friday Forums are our monthly online educational offerings for Missourians to build knowledge on poverty-related policy issues and skill...Read More

As our communities work to address disproportionate racial outcomes today, we often look back on the intentional race based policies which drive those outcomes. Our BIPOC neighbors have been systematically and intentionally denied housing, educational access, and have been targets of law enforcement agencies and laws. Some say that the ongoing legacy of slavery permeates...Read More

Tenants’ unions are renter-led organizations that advocate for tenant rights, build renter power, and push for renter-friendly policy change. Low-income tenants know their needs better than anyone else, and this type of organizing centers their experiences. Empower Missouri is working to build tenant power across Mid and Southwest Missouri. In this session, we’ll hear from...Read More

Unregulated, for-profit probation businesses use the vulnerability of a person facing one of the toughest times of their lives as a source of profit, adding unnecessary financial and emotional strains for individuals in the criminal legal system and their families. In this session we’ll learn about the impossible cycle this creates, and what we can...Read More

While the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in financial instability and economic hardship for many households, unprecedented supports – including a national emergency rental assistance program and eviction moratorium – were enacted to reduce suffering among the country’s lowest-income renters. As these temporary supports come to an end, renters are facing a troubling landscape, with rising rental...Read More

Empower Missouri is an organization with a storied history and deep roots in Missouri.  Founded in 1901, we’ve been advocating for the people of this state for over 120 years.  The organization has operated under four different names, under at least a dozen Executive Directors, and through the leadership of hundreds of board members and...Read More

Members of Empower Missouri’s Criminal Justice Coalition have been discussing Missouri’s use of private probation and the impact on our communities. Missouri is one of about nine others who have outsourced probation services. In conversation with family and friends,  we realized there are a lot of us who have never heard of the practice. This...Read More

Earlier this month, the Food Assistance and Hunger in the Heartland Report was released. This is a first of its kind-a comprehensive research study about nutrition access and hunger commissioned by a Missouri based entity! Feeding Missouri, the association of the six Missouri based Feeding America Food Banks, commissioned this statewide research project from the MU...Read More