When we talk about criminal justice reform in Missouri, much of the conversation understandably focuses on what happens at the front end of the system; arrest, sentencing and incarceration. When people have served time and maybe even decades in prison, the conversation around what happens next is little to none. Parole is an important part...Read More

In July of 2025, when Congress passed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” the debate was largely framed around taxes, spending, government efficiency, and work requirements. But behind those political talking points are real Missouri families—and Missouri children. As the aspects of H.R. 1 are being implemented, it is creating a chain reaction...Read More

PURPOSEThe Training Intern/Practicum Student will assist Empower Missouri’s Advocacy Director inexpanding and enhancing the organization’s statewide education and outreach efforts.Interns/Practicum Students will help identify and research speaking opportunities, build contactlists, support training logistics, and, when appropriate, deliver brief presentations.The ideal candidate will be well-organized, capable of self-direction, and comfortablecommunicating with diverse audiences. ESSENTIAL DUTIES &...Read More

For more than six years, Empower Missouri has been a part of a new type of funding model with the Missouri Foundation for Health. In 2019 MFH announced their new focus for their advocacy funding, called the Exemplary Advocate Cohort. A new type of experience, this team would meet several times a year over the...Read More

Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19, 1865. On that day, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation (more than two years after it was issued) so that the remaining enslaved people were finally free as...Read More

Pride Month 2024 is in full swing, and with it comes an opportunity to both take stock of the vast amount of change needed in our state (and beyond), as well as uplift the incredible work being done to get us there.  Empower Missouri’s advocacy centers around three central policy areas: affordable housing, community justice,...Read More

It is undeniable that poverty is a problem in our state. According to the 2022 Poverty Report, 13% of Missourians and over 17% of Missouri children live in poverty. That’s over 770,000 individuals struggling to put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, or meet their basic needs. Over 770,000 Missourians face...Read More

A new year is a time for reflection and setting intentions for the year ahead. At Empower Missouri, our team is also setting intentions for the new legislative session while reminding ourselves of the guiding principles that shape our work. Over the last few weeks, we’ve heard a lot of pessimism about the 2024 session– from...Read More

At Empower, we believe the key to ending poverty lies in changing the policies that drive it. We can make changes that ensure a long-term, stable stock of affordable housing across the state, and expand safety net programs to support the nutrition needs of struggling families. We can fundamentally reimagine our criminal justice system, investing...Read More

Hi, my name is Janessa Riehle and I’m honored to spend my second-year practicum atEmpower Missouri as an Advocacy Intern. I’m a current student working towards my Masters ofSocial Work at the University of Kansas, with Kansas City being home for me and my family.I started my career in nonprofit development and event coordination, and...Read More