Abilities First

10/14/2025

Mark your calendars — the 2nd Annual Candy Crawl is almost here!

Get ready for a spook-tacular afternoon filled with candy, costumes, petting zoo, door decorating contest, and a sensory-friendly haunted house.

📅 Thursday, October 30
🕒 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 3216 S. National Ave., Springfield

This is one event you don’t want to miss! Stay tuned for sneak peeks of what’s coming… 👀

10/14/2025

10/14/2025

This week, we proudly celebrate our incredible Support Coordination Team, the heart of our mission at Abilities First. 💙

Every day, our Support Coordinators walk beside the people and families we serve, planning, coordinating, advocating, and connecting people to the opportunities and resources that help them thrive. Their dedication ensures that every person’s path reflects their unique goals, strengths, and dreams.

Thank you, Support Coordinators, for your compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to turning abilities into opportunities. You make inclusion, choice, and belonging possible, one connection at a time. Thank you for leading with heart, anchored in mission and vision.

A special thank you to Mallory Gonzalez and the leadership team with The Next Step who work hard everyday to continuously improve. Everything we do is for the people we serve, our North Star!

10/13/2025

🖌️ The countdown is almost over — just 2 days to go!
Our artists are putting the finishing touches on their pieces and preparing to share their work with you.

Each piece tells a story — come see the creativity and passion that went into every brushstroke.

📅 Tuesday, October 15 | 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 1530 S Glenstone Ave

✨ Let’s show our support for these talented artists!

10/13/2025

In observance of Indigenous People’s Day, the Abilities First office will be closed Monday, October 13. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 14 at 8:00 AM. We wish everyone a meaningful day of reflection and respect. 💙

10/11/2025

Fall into Resources!

5434 S. Tower Drive Battlefield, MO. 65619

11 am to 2 pm today!

10/11/2025

Congratulations Jason!

After a year of applying for more than 50 jobs, Jason began employment with Neighbor’s Mill in Missouri last year. How’s it going?

“In February 2025, I received employee of the month!”

Congrats, Jason! Your hard work and perseverance have earned you this well-deserved recognition!

Read more We’re Here All Year stories in our gallery: https://bit.ly/WereHereAllYear

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) — a time to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities in workplaces and communities across the country. But these stories matter all year long.

Want to share YOUR story? Submit here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=F8Ovxj-IqUyL4mb5waKudOJB8ZPuhhVBki5VKPDyAgJUODVZUTUzMlVWU0tJWFJSRUJNWldCSUpLNS4u

10/11/2025

We Have Class Openings at Art Academy! ✨

Is the holiday season your favorite? Then you’re in luck — we’ve still got spots available to help you jumpstart the holidays with creativity and fun!

Available Classes:
💌 Zoom Holiday Card Making (Ages 13+) – Create one-of-a-kind cards that spread cheer!
🎭 Adult Improv Theatre: Holiday Microplay (Ages 13+) – Bring the holiday spirit to life on stage!
🎭 Child Improv Theatre: Holiday Microplay (Ages 6–12) – Kids explore imagination and joy through improv fun!

Don’t wait — spots are limited and filling fast. Sign up today and make your holiday season even brighter!

To register, email aiacademy@abilitiesfirst.net or call 417-886-0404 ext. 3

10/10/2025

⏰ Less than ONE WEEK until our Art to Market Showcase & Sale!

Our talented Art to Market students have spent six weeks creating a cohesive collection of artwork — and they can’t wait to share it with the community.

📅 October 15 | 5:30–7:00 PM
📍 1530 S Glenstone Ave

💙 Celebrate creativity. Support local artists. Be part of something meaningful.

10/09/2025

🍂🎨 Little hands, big imaginations! 🎨🍂

The Preschool Fall Art Class at CC Links is in full swing, and it's bursting with color, creativity, and cozy autumn vibes! 🍁✨

From leaf collages to pumpkin masterpieces, young artists are exploring the magic of fall through fun, hands-on projects