empower: abilities

10/24/2026

☕💜 What an incredible morning at Coffee Creations in Branson!

Our hearts are full of gratitude for everyone who joined us to celebrate accessibility, inclusion, and the importance of creating communities where EVERYONE feels welcome!

A very special thank you to Keegan for having a vision and helping bring this event to life and to the wonderful leadership at Coffee Creations for opening their doors and hearts to this important conversation. Your commitment to creating opportunities and welcoming people of all abilities is truly inspiring!

We also want to thank Branson Mayor Larry Milton, Senator Brad Hudson, Representative Brian Seitz, Kimberling City Manager Dawne Gardner for taking the time to join us, listen, and be part of the conversation.

To the self-advocates who shared their stories, the Branson businesses who showed up ready to listen and learn, Tri Lakes League of Women Voters, Cheri Montgomery with REV Up and every community partner who joined us — THANK YOU! Your voices, experiences, and willingness to work together are what make meaningful change possible.

There was such wonderful energy in the room! It was a reminder that accessibility isn't just about removing physical barriers. It's about creating opportunities, building relationships, listening to lived experiences, and making sure every person feels valued, included, and welcome.

When we come together, listen to one another, and look for ways to remove barriers, we build stronger communities for ALL of us.

Thank you, Branson, for showing what community inclusion can look like! 💜

10/22/2026

Join us for Empower: Youth

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻. 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲.

You'll build a Remote Control Team Race Car while building confidence, teamwork, time management, problem solving, and money management skills.

Join us as we Empower: Youth gives young people ages 14–18 a place to learn independent living skills, build confidence and have fun connecting with friends who understand them.

𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬
𝟰:𝟬𝟬–𝟲:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠
𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿: 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 - 𝟯𝟯𝟰𝟱 𝗦. 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
At the same time, parents can join the Parent Connection, a welcoming group for parents of children with disabilities. Exchange practical ideas and learn about school advocacy and community resources.

Interested in joining us? Contact Nikki at 417-886-1188, ext. 604 to register.

Come learn, connect and recharge with us!

10/22/2026

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮

We’re excited to bring independent living and transition skills training to young people in Lawrence County.

Empower: Youth gives youth ages 14–18 a welcoming place to learn practical skills, build confidence and connect with peers—all while preparing for greater independence.

𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮
𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆
𝟮𝟬𝟮 𝗦. 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗮
𝟯:𝟯𝟬 - 𝟱:𝟯𝟬 𝗽𝗺

From everyday decision-making to planning for the future, empower: Youth helps participants discover what they can do and take the next steps toward their goals.

Interested in joining us? Contact Nikki at 417-886-1188, ext. 604 to register.

10/22/2026

𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲. 𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗔 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲!

In our Independence Kitchen, participants are building skills they can use every day—from preparing meals and practicing kitchen safety to trying accessible tools that can make cooking easier.

It’s about more than what’s on the menu. It’s the confidence to try something new, make your own choices, and say, “I can do this!”

Take a peek at the learning happening in our kitchen!

This session is full, but more opportunities are ahead! Watch for details about next year’s enrollment.

Our Independence Kitchen is proudly funded by Abilities First. Thank you for helping make hands-on learning and greater independence possible!

A little practice. A little confidence. A whole lot of independence...

10/22/2026

Come see us tonight!
Home building, architecture, engineering, construction trades, occupational therapy, real estate …. Anyone with similar interest is welcome to attend tonight’s event at OTC.

Event Details
When: Thursday, October 22 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Panel Discussion: 6:00 PM
Where: OTC Robert W. Plaster Advanced Manufacturing Center (see attached flyer and map)

This free, open-to-the-public event will feature interactive exhibits, hands-on demonstrations, virtual reality experiences, and a panel discussion exploring how thoughtful design can make spaces work better for everyone.

10/22/2026

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱. 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.

Empower: abilities is proud to announe that we have received a Silver Award in the Non-Profit category under Service Organizations in CommunityVotes Springfield MO! This marks our second year being nominated, and we’re honored that our community continues to recognize and support our work.

Every nomination and vote represents someone who believes in a community where people with disabilities and older adults have the resources, choices, and opportunities to live independently.

To our consumers, families, volunteers, partners, and friends: thank you for believing in our mission and helping others discover empower: abilities.

And to our team—thank you for the care, creativity, and dedication you bring to removing barriers every day.

𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩.

See who else received honors.

Official 2026 Community Voting Awards Platform for Springfield, MO. Where the community votes for their favorites every year.

10/21/2026

𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀!
Looking for flexible hours and weekly pay? Join empower: abilities as a Personal Care Attendant and help individuals with disabilities live independently at home.

Now hiring in Christian, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney & Webster counties!

If you can help with:
- Housekeeping
- Bathing
- Dressing & Grooming
- Meal Prep
- Laundry
- Transfers & Mobility
- Shopping & Errands

…this could be the perfect job for you!

Empower: abilities was the first CDS provider in Southwest Missouri and has been a trusted provider for over 30 years. We’re proud to lead the way in Consumer Directed Services!

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆!
Online: https://tinyurl.com/Attendant-Application-CDS
Call: 417-886-1188
Email: [email protected]
Or stop by our new location at 3345 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO 65807

Make a difference. Be part of something meaningful.

10/21/2026

𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 - 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴
This month: Halloween Themed Bingo

NEW Location: empower: abilities
3345 S. Campbell Ave, Springfield (corner of Campbell and Walnut Lawn)
Time: 1:30 PM

Transportation not available for this event.

Come enjoy a relaxed space to build friendships, try new activities, and connect with others in the community.

Please note: This event is scheduled for a 2 hour period, if you require personal care or hands-on assistance during this event you are welcome to bring an attendant.

Please reach out for other accommodation needs 2 weeks prior to the event by emailing [email protected]

Questions? Call 417-886-1188 ext.608

10/20/2026

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. 507
Email: [email protected]
Learn more: www.empowerabilities.org

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

10/20/2026

White Cane Awareness Day Celebrates Independence and Accessibility for Blind and Low Vision Individuals

A white cane is more than a mobility tool—it’s a symbol of independence, confidence and freedom.

On October 15, empower: abilities hosted White Cane Awareness Day in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind Springfield Chapter. The event raised awareness about pedestrian safety and accessibility while celebrating people who are blind or have low vision.

Despite a soggy start to the morning, participants and community supporters came together for guest speakers, resource information, a proclamation from the mayor and opportunities to learn about white cane safety. The Arc of the Ozarks’ AM Donuts and Coffee Truck was also on hand with treats and warm drinks.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped bring attention to the importance of accessible, inclusive communities. Together, we can create a community where everyone can navigate safely and independently.

For more information, contact Afton at 417-886-1188, ext. 607.

Check out this year's video on our YouTube channel.

Creating awareness about pedestrian safety at crosswalk for our bli...