empower: abilities

10/24/2025

💻 Join Us for Stacie’s Social Hour – Today at 3 PM (CST) on Zoom!

Looking for a fun, welcoming space to connect with others? Stacie’s Social Hour is the perfect place to chat, share experiences, and enjoy engaging discussions! 🌟

Each week features fun conversations including:
🧩 Fun online games & icebreakers
🗣️ Hot topics in disability advocacy
💡 Tips for independent living & accessibility
😂 Lighthearted chats & laughter guaranteed!

This nationwide virtual group is open to any adult with any disability—join us from wherever you are every Friday at 3 pm CST! 🌍 Let’s connect, share, and have a great time together ... See you there!

🔗 Join the conversation:
https://zoom.us/j/93411783994?pwd=b2N1ZnRMYlpXOGlkbDhjcFgxTnN3Zz09

10/23/2025

Today we wrapped up our 2025 Wise in 45 series! 🎉
A huge thank-you to everyone who presented, attended, and especially to those who joined us consistently throughout the year.

This year’s sessions covered everything from transportation options and organizing tips to emergency preparedness, energy efficiency, and small home repairs—just to name a few!

We’re so proud to share independent living skills, community resources, and the incredible knowledge of our staff and partners with the community. You’re what make these programs so meaningful!

"This has been great. Every session was very informative and some months I attended both just to hear different comments and questions. I brought my daughters to several this summer and love that they can be among others living with disabilities and to learn important life skills. Thank you so much!", Wise in 45 regular attendee.

👏 Stay tuned for the announcement of our drawing winner for participants who attended seven or more sessions!

10/23/2025

🏠 Need help living independently at home?
Take control of your care with Consumer Directed Services (CDS) through empower: abilities!

✨ You can choose your own caregiver — a trusted family member, friend, or loved one — and they’ll be reimbursed and paid weekly.

Your caregiver can assist with daily tasks like:
🧹 Housekeeping
🛁 Bathing
👚 Dressing & Grooming
🍽️ Meal Preparation
🧺 Laundry
♿ Mobility & Transfers
🛒 Shopping & Errands
💙 empower: abilities proudly serves eight counties in Southwest Missouri: Christian, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster.

📲 Ready to get started?
Call us at 417-886-1188 ext. 208
📧 Email: care@empowerabilities.org
🌐 Learn more: www.empowerabilities.org

✨ Leading the way in Consumer Directed Services — Southwest Missouri’s first CDS provider with 30+ years of trusted care.

10/22/2025

Important Update on SNAP Benefits

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced today that, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, SNAP benefits will not be issued in November unless federal funds become available.

DSS encourages SNAP participants to stretch their October benefits as much as possible in preparation for a potential funding delay. (Read the comments for some helpful tips from empower: abilities.)

“We are closely monitoring this situation, and benefits will be issued as soon as federal funds become available,” said Jess Bax, DSS Director. “We encourage SNAP participants to look at the potential of using their October balance to stretch into November if possible given this situation.”

While no November SNAP benefits can currently be issued, the Family Support Division (FSD) will continue to accept and process SNAP applications, reported changes, and mid-certifications received on or after November 1, 2025, as normal.

For more details, visit the Missouri Department of Social Services website or follow official updates from DSS.

Missouri Department of Social Services Unable to Issue November SNAP Benefits Due to Federal Shutdown Missouri Department of Social Services sent this bulletin at 10/20/2025 02:11 PM CDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2025 CONTACT: Baylee.Watts@dss.mo.gov Missouri Department of Social Services U...

10/21/2025

🎸🎶 Rock n Roll Bingo is Back! 🎶🎸 Thursday, November 6
Get ready for a night of music, fun, and prizes—all for a great cause!
Join us on November 6 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. for an unforgettable evening of Rock n Roll Bingo. (Food service will begin at 5:30 pm)

🎟 Tickets:
$20 individual
Group discounts available
Sponsorship opportunities, too!

🍕 Every ticket includes a pizza slice, salad + a drink!
💛 Proceeds benefit empower: abilities
Your generosity helps remove barriers by funding hearing aids and services for
low-income individuals.

📍 Mark your calendar, grab your friends, and don’t miss your chance to sing, shout, and bingo your way to a good time!

10/21/2025

Crosslines has begun accepting application for its annual Holiday Food and Toy Assistance Program as the organization prepares for another year of increased demand from families in need. To apply for assistance, contact Crosslines of Springfield directly.

Crosslines has begun accepting applications for its annual Holiday Food and Toy Assistance Program as the organization prepares for another year of increased demand from families in need.

10/21/2025

Empower: Hour episode 5 is officially released. Empower: Hour is a podcast dedicated to connecting people with the knowledge, resources, and stories that strengthen disability services and accessibility.

Through thoughtful conversations, we aim to inform, empower, and build a more inclusive community. In this episode, Afton and Juli talk with the Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller about what their office does, and how it ties into local elections and public access.

We walk through upcoming election timelines, explain registration and absentee voting, and look ahead to what’s changing for 2026. We dig into accessibility, how polling places are made usable for people with disabilities, how the office partners with local groups, and what someone should do if they hit a barrier while voting. We also explore civic engagement trends: who is showing up to vote, how to encourage more people to participate, and what civic groups can do to help.

Listen to Episode 5 on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts‍ - links in the comments.

10/18/2025

Halloween fun!

10/18/2025

Thanks to everyone who came to dance and party with us tonight! Sure was a fun evening.

10/18/2025

Having a great time at our Halloween Dance Party tonight!

10/17/2025

Today Isabel from our IL Department represented empower: abilities during the State ID Access Coalition Annual Summit. We are a recipient of grant funds to support individuals with disabilities in obtaining their ID's and gaining supporting documents needed in this process. Thank you to the Coalition for all of their support and expanding resources statewide.

10/17/2025

🎉 Youth Social Club Night Out! 🎉

Calling all youth 🍕🎮 Join us for Youth Social Club
Wednesday, October 23 at 5:00 PM for a fun evening at Incredible Pizza!
(Note - this event was previously scheduled for October 9)

Buffet + $15 game card are included ✅
Bring extra money if you’d like to play more games 🎟️
Family members or staff who attend will need to pay for their own buffet/games

🤝 If you need assistance within a two-hour period, please bring an attendant.

📞 Contact April at 417-886-1188 ext. 201 for more information and to RSVP. Transportation is not provided for this outing.

Don’t miss this chance to hang out, eat, and have fun with friends! 💥