Date: February 26, 2025 To: Chairman Mayhew, and Members of the House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for HB 317 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we...Read More

Growing up, it was just expected that kids in Jessica’s neighborhood would eventually end up involved with the legal system. Poverty and limited opportunities led many to drugs and alcohol, and eventually to crime. At age 16, she had her first child and dropped out of school to be able to provide for them. Selling...Read More

Date: February 19, 2025 To: Chairman Schroer and Members, Senate Judiciary Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our opposition to SB 196 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our...Read More

Date: February 18, 2025 To: Senator Curtis Trent, Chairman, and members of the Senator General Laws Committee From: Jerika White, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 225 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we...Read More

Date: February 17, 2025 To: Rep. Christ and members of the House Emerging Issues Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for HB 723 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work, we organize a...Read More

Date: February 12, 2025 To: Sen. Schroer, and Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 218 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty non-profit in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all...Read More

Date: February 12, 2025 To: Sen. Schroer, and Members of the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee From: Gwen Smith, Criminal Justice Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Our support for SB 218 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri advocates for the well-being of Missourians through civic leadership, education, and research. As part of our work,...Read More

Date: February 12, 2025To: Representative Don Mayhew and the Members of the House Corrections and Public Institutions CommitteeFrom: Christine Woody, Food Security Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: HB 916 My name is Christine Woody and I am the Food Policy Manager at Empower Missouri. Empower Missouri has spent more than 120 years fighting poverty in Missouri. Today,...Read More

Date: February 5, 2025 To: Chairman Myers and Members, House Crime and Public Safety Committee From: Mallory Rusch, Executive Director, Empower Missouri Re: HB 862 As the largest and oldest anti-poverty advocacy organization in our state, Empower Missouri is committed to improving the quality of life for all Missouri residents through advocacy. Since our inception,...Read More