August 23, 2024 • 25 mins
Welcome to "Under the Dome," your update from Empower Missouri, focusing on the latest happenings in Jefferson City and our anti-poverty agenda. Join Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director, as she brings together longtime leaders and partners of Empower Missouri to share their experiences and stories.
Get inspired by their dedication and learn how you can stay connected and support the mission to end poverty in Missouri. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with heartfelt reflections and powerful advocacy stories.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Music.
(00:07):
Welcome to Under the Dome, your update from Empower Missouri about what is happening
in Jefferson City with a particular focus on our anti-poverty agenda.
We've been working to advance evidence-based public policy to end poverty for over 100 years.
We lead coalitions addressing affordable housing, criminal legal system reform, and food security.
We also support our partners leading on wages, health care, child care,
(00:30):
voting rights, and other issues.
We know that poverty can and must be solved for our neighbors, but we can't do it alone.
I'm Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director, and we're so glad you're with us.
I think you all have heard from us that we just finished completing our most
recent strategic planning process.
(00:51):
And if you haven't heard that, then that's what we've done. We've just finished
our most recent strategic planning process.
And we are an organization that really deeply values values planning and intentionality in our work.
We use our strategic plan every day.
We set our weekly, monthly, quarterly goals off of that.
(01:11):
We report to each other as an internal organization, like what activities we've
done towards that goal, what it looks like.
We do not complete a strategic plan and leave it on a shelf somewhere,
some Google Drive someplace.
We use it all the time. And so we are really looking forward as an organization
right now into some really lovely upcoming, you know, activities and wins and
(01:35):
things we're going to do.
It made me feel a little nostalgic. So I brought together some of our longtime
leaders with folks who have been involved for five years to 30 years,
right, to share experiences, stories about Empower Missouri,
why they stay connected to us, just share some other folks' voices.
(01:56):
They are going to introduce themselves and their organization that they work
with as they begin speaking so that you know who you're hearing from.
And I conducted all the interviews so you'll be used to my voice.
I am really excited to share this with you all and stay connected to you all.
People connect to our organization for a number of reasons. People connect to
policy change for a number of reasons.
(02:17):
And all of those reasons are valid. We're really glad to have them.
And I am thrilled to share this with you.
Wayne, I'd like you to just introduce yourself and your organization. Hello, everyone.
My name is Wayne Crawford. I'm Executive Director of Missouri Inclusive Housing.
We're an out-for-profit agency that's been around a long time now.
And we work in the areas of housing and developing housing for people and trying
(02:41):
to find housing and working on the issues that affect us in society for seniors
as well as people with disabilities.
How did you get connected to Empower Missouri? Oh, gosh. I probably connected
with Empower Missouri about eight or nine years ago, maybe 10.
I was asked to attend meetings with Empower Missouri to start looking at the
(03:03):
housing issues that we now face.
And ever since those days, I've been involved with Empower Missouri on a regular basis.
Was that before I was hired, Wayne? It must have been. Yes. Yeah.
Okay. Well, fine. I'll stop claiming credit for your participation.
Patience for the stellar work that you do.
(03:25):
You have to, well, basically, you don't have to get blamed for some of the stuff
I do. Nope, never been blamed for anything. Not at all.
Why do you stay connected? What keeps you connected with us?
In Penn, Missouri, it's a powerful force.
They advocate across a large spectrum of disability needs, which is obviously
(03:46):
important to us. They're a consistent voice in the legislature.
Which is very, very important because people need to hear the message.
And philosophically, we've always been on the same track with them.
I just think they're probably one of the valuable resources in our state to
(04:06):
get the information out to the public.
Well, we certainly appreciate your partnership, for sure.
Wayne, do you have an Empower Missouri memory or something we've done together
that feels significant to you that you'd want to share?
Yeah, I think I do. I do. I can go all the way back to JMO's period of time.
I think one of the biggest things that I can remember is just the advocacy days
(04:31):
and working on the issues.
The other part that's been very important, I can remember several meetings where
we had to really work hard on developing a consistent message on the issues
of housing and take that to the legislative effort.
And those were some fun times.
I mean, we sat around a table at the office and argued like good people about what was the message.
(04:59):
But from that became data and direction that we still use today at No Housing.
One of the things that's important is that good conversation,
discussion by people that are knowledgeable in the field.
And I always enjoyed and power bringing people together and developing a product
(05:23):
that actually results in something happening.
I thought you'd say LIHTC. I thought you'd say when we got the LIHTC match reinstated
here in Missouri, Wayne and I worked on that together. And that was a pretty fun day.
You know, that's a very important issue.
Light tech options became a critical issue under,
(05:44):
one of our governors, and there was a good possibility that we were going to lose the LIHTC program.
Sarah and I went to the point on that.
I laugh to this day because I really thought I was going to get a tax audit
because we were beating the governor
on a regular basis and spent a lot of time on TV and in newspapers.
(06:06):
I do not want to say it was a bloody battle, but it was a journey.
And I believe we made a difference.
I think we did too. Not just did we get that reinstated, but we put some better
parameters around who receives LIHTC funds.
That was part of the problems with them before. And it's imperfect.
Nothing we do is ever going to be exactly perfect or no policy is going to be
(06:30):
exactly the way I want it at all times. But I think it was a good move.
Well, and from that, we were able to help lead an effort to improve the LIHTC model.
It is now scored on a point system. More developers are in the LIHTC process.
I work constantly with MOA from those initiatives, and we're seeing in the field
(06:58):
that consumers are starting to drive where affordable housing gets built.
I really don't think that would have happened if we hadn't have pushed that agenda.
And Empower in Missouri was obviously one of the drivers in that.
Well, Wayne, thank you so much for your partnership and your work together and
for chatting with me today.
I appreciate it. I mean, always enjoy talking to you, Sarah.
(07:21):
I'm Karen Siebert, and I'm Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor for Harvesters,
the community food network.
We are the Feeding America Food Bank, serving Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri.
We're based in Kansas City, Missouri, serving 17 counties in Kansas and 10 in Missouri.
That's a big job. It is a big job. It's a big service area.
We're very glad you're in the field doing that work.
(07:44):
Thank you. How long have you been connected with Empower Missouri?
I've been with Harvesters for nearly 20 years, and we've been engaged in all
that time with Empower Missouri.
So the relationship between Harvesters and Empower Missouri goes back decades.
Before my history there, I don't even know how long it goes on.
But Empower Missouri has always been an incredibly important partner for Harvesters
(08:06):
because we serve both sides of the state line.
We actually have two state legislatures to interact with, and that is more than
most organizations can handle.
It is more than what's reasonable, that's for sure. Yeah.
And so we have always relied on Empower Missouri to be the boots on the ground
for us in Jeff City and to be watching what's going on in the statehouse and
(08:31):
then alerting us when we need to activate.
That is the important role, particularly that Empower Missouri Place has for
us in the food security space, because we simply don't have time to be there
and do all of that monitoring.
So that's incredibly valuable for us. And because we've worked together for
so long, they know what we bring to the table.
And so we know when they call us and say it's time to activate, it's time to activate.
(08:56):
And they know what our strengths are with our food bank and with our food pantry
network. work and what we are best placed to speak on in the statehouse on those issues.
And so get us engaged. We need to be engaged to help move the needle,
either in support of policies that improve food insecurity or in pushing back
(09:19):
against those that might harm the food security of our neighbors in need.
That's awesome. Karen, were we connected? Was Harvesters and Empower connected
before you came then to Harvester? Yes, I think so, yeah.
Yeah, we've got a lot of those relationships that are like decades old,
which I think is really fun for me working for Empower. That's a really great connection to have.
(09:39):
Yeah, it's been, ever since I've known Harvesters, we've been part of Empower Missouri.
Yeah, that's awesome. What helps you, like what keeps you connected to us?
Well, we were concerned about all of the issues that Empower Missouri speaks
out on because they all are often root causes of food insecurity.
The food insecurity group is the one we are most engaged with.
(10:04):
And the regular meetings we have during the legislative session are invaluable,
getting those updates on each of the issues, kind of letting us know the state
of play on each of those bills.
Yeah, and also working on the federal level. Work quite closely with Christine
on coordinating how we might be reaching out to our federal delegation to make
(10:24):
sure that they are protecting the food security of their constituents.
Yeah, that's great. Great. Karen, Christina's been with us for 18 years and
you said you've been with Harvesters for 20.
So you guys have been working together in the same sphere for a long time, huh?
Yeah. Well, when I started Harvesters, I was a communications director.
So when I knew we worked with Empower Missouri, I didn't do policy directly.
(10:46):
So that's been more like 15 years. So, but yeah.
That's still a very long time. It is. It is. A very long time.
Yeah. That's great. We're lucky to have her and to have you as well.
Do you have like, like an important Empower Missouri memory or like a thing
that we've done together that sort of sticks out for you?
I don't know if I do. I mean, it's most, most of my memories are working with
(11:08):
Christine and going to DC together, talking about hill visits,
kind of comparing how we're going to deal with different legislators.
Like you can have one approach and we can come in behind with a different approach,
but trying to get the same message through.
So coordinating those messages. It's just, it works so well and she's been great to work with.
(11:31):
I appreciate her level of knowledge on all of these programs,
some of which are quite complex.
SNAP, the way it's administered can differ state to state.
That is one of our challenges at Harvesters and would be the same for the food
banks in the eastern side of the state that we're dealing with two different state legislatures.
So we're dealing with two different administrations running programs.
(11:56):
So So SNAP program in Kansas, while they're fundamentally the same program,
can be very different in the way that they are administered.
And so I rely a lot on Christine to help me realize, oh, no, that's a Kansas thing.
No, we do it different in Missouri and help move along those priorities we have in Missouri.
(12:16):
So her level of knowledge and the detailed aspects of those programs is incredibly
important to us. Yeah. Yep. Absolutely.
Stephanie, I would love for you to introduce yourself and your organization.
Sure. My name is Stephanie Cooper.
I'm the Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Community Services in Hannibal, Missouri.
(12:36):
Excellent. Stephanie, how did you get connected to Empower Missouri?
I have been connected with Empower Missouri for well over 20 years now.
I wound up becoming engaged with the organization when I was working in Jefferson
City and saw the good that was coming from the work that was being done and
(12:58):
continue to stay engaged with the organization long after I left the area.
And I went on to another region in the state and saw that it was,
you know, it was certainly a benefit for us to continue our advocacy relationship
because of the work that was still being done by Empower Missouri.
(13:19):
Yeah. What keeps you connected to us? I think what keeps me connected to the
organization, there's a number of reasons.
I think initially was something that really kept me engaged was the work that
was being done around food insecurity.
For me, you know, all Missourians should have opportunity for basic, basic needs to be met.
(13:45):
And so I do a lot of community work and a lot of community engagement around food insecurities.
Housing, criminal justice, seniors, children and youth.
And so what we do know is that regardless of the age, the economic status,
Every Missourian is impacted by one of these very basic rights that we all deserve.
(14:09):
And so there was no one better, in my opinion, that was doing advocacy work
around these basic rights that every Missourian should have,
except for Empower Missouri, right?
We all get caught up in our own individual silos and saying,
well, I work with this group or I work with this group. But across the board,
(14:30):
there is no one else doing this impactful work in the state except for Empowerment.
We sure are glad to have you with us. As you think back on your time connected
to Empower, is there like a specific memory that sticks out or something that
happened during that time that feels important to you?
You know, the one thing that I hear the most about, whether it's in my role
(14:55):
and it's my My staff attending,
whether it's from a board role and we're hearing feedback from people around the state,
the thing to me that continues to stick out is this anti-poverty summit that
Empower Missouri puts on and puts out every year, the caliber of speakers,
(15:17):
the impact of their stories, the ability for people to engage with others that
are doing like-minded work.
It is just, it's never long enough. To me, that particular summit,
and I go to a lot of conferences, but that, there's so much to take away in
that short amount of time.
(15:38):
I mean, if you're not going, why aren't you?
Because that is the one place where you can see real action happening.
You can figure out how you can engage in whatever level you can.
And you're also, you also have this opportunity to learn from people that have lived experience.
(16:00):
And I think that is also something that is very unique to Empower Missouri.
I mean, they talk the talk, but they also bring people that have walked that walk. lot.
And so, you know, when I think back to everything, the advocacy,
yes, I mean, you're known for that.
The long standing over 100 year history.
Yes, we know that we all have that have been engaged with Empower Missouri for a long time.
(16:24):
We we get those things. But to me, looking back, that that anti-poverty summit
is like the chef's kiss of the work that you all do.
Yeah, I think ours this year is going to be really good. I'm really excited
about the folks that we have.
And if we have listeners who want to, you know, check it out and attend with
(16:44):
us, you can find information at EmpowerMissouri.org.
Stephanie, what a great spokesperson you just were.
I appreciate it. It's so easy, right?
It's so easy for me to just talk about the ways that you all have engaged in the state level.
You know, we certainly are so grateful that you all have been able to come up
(17:08):
to northeast Missouri, which is an area oftentimes overlooked because we're very rural.
But you all have been able to bring staff, bring information,
bring data, bring the stories that we're working on every day to life for people
to be able to really see not only what's happening around the state,
but how on a local level you can get engaged.
(17:31):
And like, I just can't, I can't say enough positive things about Empower Missouri
and why people should be engaged.
Yeah, I'm, I'm extremely grateful as well.
Spreading out our geographic reach across the state has been a priority that
we have had for a number of years.
It is really difficult to run an effective statewide organization.
(17:53):
It's impossible to do that when all of your staff is in Kansas City or St.
Louis exclusively. So, very glad to, you know, be really intentional about how
we're cultivating those relationships and connections and glad that it's working
out for us. Yep, absolutely.
Excellent. Thank you, Stephanie. Okay, you're welcome. Thanks,
Sarah. Uh-huh. Bye-bye.
So, first, I'm going to ask you to introduce yourself and your organization. Sure.
(18:15):
Amanda Wilson, Senior Program Officer with LISC, which stands for Local Initiative Support Corporation.
We are a national nonprofit and community development financial institution, or CDFI.
We've been in Kansas City 40 years, and we are an intermediary.
So I always describe that as we don't do a lot of the great work on the ground,
(18:40):
but we support those who do.
And then we support the ecosystem that they are working in through policy,
advocacy, lending, grants, technical assistance, training, and coaching. Awesome.
How did you get connected to Empower? Myself and three friends went to the first
(19:02):
Affordable Housing Coalition kickoff in January 2019.
My friend reminded me of the date. So we hopped in a van together and drove
down to Jeff City and had a really great time.
The last executive director, Jamo, was incredible learning from her and just
(19:26):
learning about what Empower Missouri does and the kind of relationships and
connections and work that you guys do.
So, been connected ever since then. I'm loosely connected to the Affordable
Housing Coalition call.
I'm on the emails and I read the meeting minutes, but I haven't been able to regularly attend.
(19:47):
I hope to do that when an if workload eases up. You don't have to tell on yourself, Amanda.
I know. I can't believe you remembered the date because I didn't even remember
the date. No, I had to ask my friend because I was going back through my pictures
and I couldn't find them.
So, yeah, she said it was January 19.
(20:09):
And so actually during legislative session, that was a bold move. Yeah, I don't know.
It was it was really cool. Cool. And I had not been connected to state level anything before that,
because our state just seems so wackadoodle that I kind of just don't want to
(20:30):
have anything to do with it, even though that it's super important.
So I'm really glad Empower Missouri is there at the state because,
I mean, we just don't have the capacity to be tracking this kind of stuff.
But anyways, getting ahead of myself with your questions, I think.
Yeah. What keeps you connected to us? I think a few things that Affordable Housing
(20:50):
Coalition and the work you guys are doing at the state level and bringing together
affordable housing advocates across the state,
I think that's super valuable. It's needed.
We're still trying to figure out like what our place is in that and how we can be involved. evolved.
Also, I really like how you guys have evolved your, I guess,
(21:13):
like programming that you offer.
So like the Advocacy 101 workshop that you did, I thought was really great.
And I feel like that was something that was kind of new at the time when you offered it.
I could be wrong, but I thought that was really great. I really like the,
what is it? The Advocacy Partners. partners.
(21:36):
It is called the Advocacy Partners. We are changing the name of it to the Advocacy.
Accelerator because we like the alliteration.
And yeah, we never really meant to leave it called the Advocacy Partners.
That was like a working title. And then we just didn't have a better thing.
So it's been like two, three years of trying to figure out something better.
So there you go. That's cool.
(21:57):
I think deeper connection to the state work through you guys,
but also, So, you know, figuring out how to how to partner and utilize Empower
Missouri for some of the state work that we see that is needed.
But we just don't have the capacity and knowledge and relationships and any of that.
My last question, Amanda, do you have like a memory, a specific memory or a
(22:20):
thing that we've done during our time together that feels impactful to you?
Well, let's see. One thing I didn't mention before was that I was nominated
and awarded for the 2023 Affordable Housing Advocate of the Year, which was really great.
But I think that that brunch that all of the people came together from across
(22:45):
the state and hearing about even in Kansas City, like who's doing what that
I don't know about. I felt like that was really impactful.
And, you know, we had a whole table of guests and like it was impactful for
all of them to like some of them are in housing and some of them weren't.
I felt like that was really great. I also really like the Anti-Poverty Summit.
(23:08):
Not all totally relevant to my work, but it's all related.
And I love meeting people across the state in rural, suburban,
small city doing this kind of work and just learning about all of the other
things that affect people's lives outside of just like my realm of housing and
(23:32):
like housing developers.
So I think that's really great. And it just is such a great group of people
that I like going for the vibe, for the information, for the connecting.
And the place is really great too. Columbia is fun.
I went out with some friends afterwards and went for a hike after and it was
(23:54):
really fun. Absolutely.
I did not. I slept. I just went to bed.
I bet. Good. That is also very good.
Yeah. Hosting is very different than participating. But yes,
I stayed in Columbia because Missouri Foundation for Health always does their
Advocates Retreat the next day.
They're going to do that this year as well, back in Columbia.
(24:16):
And so I stayed in Columbia and
I literally just went straight to my next hotel room and went to sleep.
Yeah. Good. That is needed.
There is a lot of fun places to hike and do stuff around Columbia, for sure.
Yeah we went to this cave i
don't i don't even remember what it was a friend found it but it was like we
hiked way down like down steps and like into this like crevice and this little
(24:43):
like cave there and i don't know it was really cool it was awesome all right
well thanks amanda that's all i have for you okay.
Music.
Music.
(00:07):
Welcome to Under the Dome, your update from Empower Missouri about what is happening
in Jefferson City with a particular focus on our anti-poverty agenda.
We've been working to advance evidence-based public policy to end poverty for over 100 years.
We lead coalitions addressing affordable housing, criminal legal system reform, and food security.
We also support our partners leading on wages, health care, child care,
(00:30):
voting rights, and other issues.
We know that poverty can and must be solved for our neighbors, but we can't do it alone.
I'm Sarah Owsley, Advocacy Director, and we're so glad you're with us.
I think you all have heard from us that we just finished completing our most
recent strategic planning process.
(00:51):
And if you haven't heard that, then that's what we've done. We've just finished
our most recent strategic planning process.
And we are an organization that really deeply values values planning and intentionality in our work.
We use our strategic plan every day.
We set our weekly, monthly, quarterly goals off of that.
(01:11):
We report to each other as an internal organization, like what activities we've
done towards that goal, what it looks like.
We do not complete a strategic plan and leave it on a shelf somewhere,
some Google Drive someplace.
We use it all the time. And so we are really looking forward as an organization
right now into some really lovely upcoming, you know, activities and wins and
(01:35):
things we're going to do.
It made me feel a little nostalgic. So I brought together some of our longtime
leaders with folks who have been involved for five years to 30 years,
right, to share experiences, stories about Empower Missouri,
why they stay connected to us, just share some other folks' voices.
(01:56):
They are going to introduce themselves and their organization that they work
with as they begin speaking so that you know who you're hearing from.
And I conducted all the interviews so you'll be used to my voice.
I am really excited to share this with you all and stay connected to you all.
People connect to our organization for a number of reasons. People connect to
policy change for a number of reasons.
(02:17):
And all of those reasons are valid. We're really glad to have them.
And I am thrilled to share this with you.
Wayne, I'd like you to just introduce yourself and your organization. Hello, everyone.
My name is Wayne Crawford. I'm Executive Director of Missouri Inclusive Housing.
We're an out-for-profit agency that's been around a long time now.
And we work in the areas of housing and developing housing for people and trying
(02:41):
to find housing and working on the issues that affect us in society for seniors
as well as people with disabilities.
How did you get connected to Empower Missouri? Oh, gosh. I probably connected
with Empower Missouri about eight or nine years ago, maybe 10.
I was asked to attend meetings with Empower Missouri to start looking at the
(03:03):
housing issues that we now face.
And ever since those days, I've been involved with Empower Missouri on a regular basis.
Was that before I was hired, Wayne? It must have been. Yes. Yeah.
Okay. Well, fine. I'll stop claiming credit for your participation.
Patience for the stellar work that you do.
(03:25):
You have to, well, basically, you don't have to get blamed for some of the stuff
I do. Nope, never been blamed for anything. Not at all.
Why do you stay connected? What keeps you connected with us?
In Penn, Missouri, it's a powerful force.
They advocate across a large spectrum of disability needs, which is obviously
(03:46):
important to us. They're a consistent voice in the legislature.
Which is very, very important because people need to hear the message.
And philosophically, we've always been on the same track with them.
I just think they're probably one of the valuable resources in our state to
(04:06):
get the information out to the public.
Well, we certainly appreciate your partnership, for sure.
Wayne, do you have an Empower Missouri memory or something we've done together
that feels significant to you that you'd want to share?
Yeah, I think I do. I do. I can go all the way back to JMO's period of time.
I think one of the biggest things that I can remember is just the advocacy days
(04:31):
and working on the issues.
The other part that's been very important, I can remember several meetings where
we had to really work hard on developing a consistent message on the issues
of housing and take that to the legislative effort.
And those were some fun times.
I mean, we sat around a table at the office and argued like good people about what was the message.
(04:59):
But from that became data and direction that we still use today at No Housing.
One of the things that's important is that good conversation,
discussion by people that are knowledgeable in the field.
And I always enjoyed and power bringing people together and developing a product
(05:23):
that actually results in something happening.
I thought you'd say LIHTC. I thought you'd say when we got the LIHTC match reinstated
here in Missouri, Wayne and I worked on that together. And that was a pretty fun day.
You know, that's a very important issue.
Light tech options became a critical issue under,
(05:44):
one of our governors, and there was a good possibility that we were going to lose the LIHTC program.
Sarah and I went to the point on that.
I laugh to this day because I really thought I was going to get a tax audit
because we were beating the governor
on a regular basis and spent a lot of time on TV and in newspapers.
(06:06):
I do not want to say it was a bloody battle, but it was a journey.
And I believe we made a difference.
I think we did too. Not just did we get that reinstated, but we put some better
parameters around who receives LIHTC funds.
That was part of the problems with them before. And it's imperfect.
Nothing we do is ever going to be exactly perfect or no policy is going to be
(06:30):
exactly the way I want it at all times. But I think it was a good move.
Well, and from that, we were able to help lead an effort to improve the LIHTC model.
It is now scored on a point system. More developers are in the LIHTC process.
I work constantly with MOA from those initiatives, and we're seeing in the field
(06:58):
that consumers are starting to drive where affordable housing gets built.
I really don't think that would have happened if we hadn't have pushed that agenda.
And Empower in Missouri was obviously one of the drivers in that.
Well, Wayne, thank you so much for your partnership and your work together and
for chatting with me today.
I appreciate it. I mean, always enjoy talking to you, Sarah.
(07:21):
I'm Karen Siebert, and I'm Advocacy and Public Policy Advisor for Harvesters,
the community food network.
We are the Feeding America Food Bank, serving Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri.
We're based in Kansas City, Missouri, serving 17 counties in Kansas and 10 in Missouri.
That's a big job. It is a big job. It's a big service area.
We're very glad you're in the field doing that work.
(07:44):
Thank you. How long have you been connected with Empower Missouri?
I've been with Harvesters for nearly 20 years, and we've been engaged in all
that time with Empower Missouri.
So the relationship between Harvesters and Empower Missouri goes back decades.
Before my history there, I don't even know how long it goes on.
But Empower Missouri has always been an incredibly important partner for Harvesters
(08:06):
because we serve both sides of the state line.
We actually have two state legislatures to interact with, and that is more than
most organizations can handle.
It is more than what's reasonable, that's for sure. Yeah.
And so we have always relied on Empower Missouri to be the boots on the ground
for us in Jeff City and to be watching what's going on in the statehouse and
(08:31):
then alerting us when we need to activate.
That is the important role, particularly that Empower Missouri Place has for
us in the food security space, because we simply don't have time to be there
and do all of that monitoring.
So that's incredibly valuable for us. And because we've worked together for
so long, they know what we bring to the table.
And so we know when they call us and say it's time to activate, it's time to activate.
(08:56):
And they know what our strengths are with our food bank and with our food pantry
network. work and what we are best placed to speak on in the statehouse on those issues.
And so get us engaged. We need to be engaged to help move the needle,
either in support of policies that improve food insecurity or in pushing back
(09:19):
against those that might harm the food security of our neighbors in need.
That's awesome. Karen, were we connected? Was Harvesters and Empower connected
before you came then to Harvester? Yes, I think so, yeah.
Yeah, we've got a lot of those relationships that are like decades old,
which I think is really fun for me working for Empower. That's a really great connection to have.
(09:39):
Yeah, it's been, ever since I've known Harvesters, we've been part of Empower Missouri.
Yeah, that's awesome. What helps you, like what keeps you connected to us?
Well, we were concerned about all of the issues that Empower Missouri speaks
out on because they all are often root causes of food insecurity.
The food insecurity group is the one we are most engaged with.
(10:04):
And the regular meetings we have during the legislative session are invaluable,
getting those updates on each of the issues, kind of letting us know the state
of play on each of those bills.
Yeah, and also working on the federal level. Work quite closely with Christine
on coordinating how we might be reaching out to our federal delegation to make
(10:24):
sure that they are protecting the food security of their constituents.
Yeah, that's great. Great. Karen, Christina's been with us for 18 years and
you said you've been with Harvesters for 20.
So you guys have been working together in the same sphere for a long time, huh?
Yeah. Well, when I started Harvesters, I was a communications director.
So when I knew we worked with Empower Missouri, I didn't do policy directly.
(10:46):
So that's been more like 15 years. So, but yeah.
That's still a very long time. It is. It is. A very long time.
Yeah. That's great. We're lucky to have her and to have you as well.
Do you have like, like an important Empower Missouri memory or like a thing
that we've done together that sort of sticks out for you?
I don't know if I do. I mean, it's most, most of my memories are working with
(11:08):
Christine and going to DC together, talking about hill visits,
kind of comparing how we're going to deal with different legislators.
Like you can have one approach and we can come in behind with a different approach,
but trying to get the same message through.
So coordinating those messages. It's just, it works so well and she's been great to work with.
(11:31):
I appreciate her level of knowledge on all of these programs,
some of which are quite complex.
SNAP, the way it's administered can differ state to state.
That is one of our challenges at Harvesters and would be the same for the food
banks in the eastern side of the state that we're dealing with two different state legislatures.
So we're dealing with two different administrations running programs.
(11:56):
So So SNAP program in Kansas, while they're fundamentally the same program,
can be very different in the way that they are administered.
And so I rely a lot on Christine to help me realize, oh, no, that's a Kansas thing.
No, we do it different in Missouri and help move along those priorities we have in Missouri.
(12:16):
So her level of knowledge and the detailed aspects of those programs is incredibly
important to us. Yeah. Yep. Absolutely.
Stephanie, I would love for you to introduce yourself and your organization.
Sure. My name is Stephanie Cooper.
I'm the Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Community Services in Hannibal, Missouri.
(12:36):
Excellent. Stephanie, how did you get connected to Empower Missouri?
I have been connected with Empower Missouri for well over 20 years now.
I wound up becoming engaged with the organization when I was working in Jefferson
City and saw the good that was coming from the work that was being done and
(12:58):
continue to stay engaged with the organization long after I left the area.
And I went on to another region in the state and saw that it was,
you know, it was certainly a benefit for us to continue our advocacy relationship
because of the work that was still being done by Empower Missouri.
(13:19):
Yeah. What keeps you connected to us? I think what keeps me connected to the
organization, there's a number of reasons.
I think initially was something that really kept me engaged was the work that
was being done around food insecurity.
For me, you know, all Missourians should have opportunity for basic, basic needs to be met.
(13:45):
And so I do a lot of community work and a lot of community engagement around food insecurities.
Housing, criminal justice, seniors, children and youth.
And so what we do know is that regardless of the age, the economic status,
Every Missourian is impacted by one of these very basic rights that we all deserve.
(14:09):
And so there was no one better, in my opinion, that was doing advocacy work
around these basic rights that every Missourian should have,
except for Empower Missouri, right?
We all get caught up in our own individual silos and saying,
well, I work with this group or I work with this group. But across the board,
(14:30):
there is no one else doing this impactful work in the state except for Empowerment.
We sure are glad to have you with us. As you think back on your time connected
to Empower, is there like a specific memory that sticks out or something that
happened during that time that feels important to you?
You know, the one thing that I hear the most about, whether it's in my role
(14:55):
and it's my My staff attending,
whether it's from a board role and we're hearing feedback from people around the state,
the thing to me that continues to stick out is this anti-poverty summit that
Empower Missouri puts on and puts out every year, the caliber of speakers,
(15:17):
the impact of their stories, the ability for people to engage with others that
are doing like-minded work.
It is just, it's never long enough. To me, that particular summit,
and I go to a lot of conferences, but that, there's so much to take away in
that short amount of time.
(15:38):
I mean, if you're not going, why aren't you?
Because that is the one place where you can see real action happening.
You can figure out how you can engage in whatever level you can.
And you're also, you also have this opportunity to learn from people that have lived experience.
(16:00):
And I think that is also something that is very unique to Empower Missouri.
I mean, they talk the talk, but they also bring people that have walked that walk. lot.
And so, you know, when I think back to everything, the advocacy,
yes, I mean, you're known for that.
The long standing over 100 year history.
Yes, we know that we all have that have been engaged with Empower Missouri for a long time.
(16:24):
We we get those things. But to me, looking back, that that anti-poverty summit
is like the chef's kiss of the work that you all do.
Yeah, I think ours this year is going to be really good. I'm really excited
about the folks that we have.
And if we have listeners who want to, you know, check it out and attend with
(16:44):
us, you can find information at EmpowerMissouri.org.
Stephanie, what a great spokesperson you just were.
I appreciate it. It's so easy, right?
It's so easy for me to just talk about the ways that you all have engaged in the state level.
You know, we certainly are so grateful that you all have been able to come up
(17:08):
to northeast Missouri, which is an area oftentimes overlooked because we're very rural.
But you all have been able to bring staff, bring information,
bring data, bring the stories that we're working on every day to life for people
to be able to really see not only what's happening around the state,
but how on a local level you can get engaged.
(17:31):
And like, I just can't, I can't say enough positive things about Empower Missouri
and why people should be engaged.
Yeah, I'm, I'm extremely grateful as well.
Spreading out our geographic reach across the state has been a priority that
we have had for a number of years.
It is really difficult to run an effective statewide organization.
(17:53):
It's impossible to do that when all of your staff is in Kansas City or St.
Louis exclusively. So, very glad to, you know, be really intentional about how
we're cultivating those relationships and connections and glad that it's working
out for us. Yep, absolutely.
Excellent. Thank you, Stephanie. Okay, you're welcome. Thanks,
Sarah. Uh-huh. Bye-bye.
So, first, I'm going to ask you to introduce yourself and your organization. Sure.
(18:15):
Amanda Wilson, Senior Program Officer with LISC, which stands for Local Initiative Support Corporation.
We are a national nonprofit and community development financial institution, or CDFI.
We've been in Kansas City 40 years, and we are an intermediary.
So I always describe that as we don't do a lot of the great work on the ground,
(18:40):
but we support those who do.
And then we support the ecosystem that they are working in through policy,
advocacy, lending, grants, technical assistance, training, and coaching. Awesome.
How did you get connected to Empower? Myself and three friends went to the first
(19:02):
Affordable Housing Coalition kickoff in January 2019.
My friend reminded me of the date. So we hopped in a van together and drove
down to Jeff City and had a really great time.
The last executive director, Jamo, was incredible learning from her and just
(19:26):
learning about what Empower Missouri does and the kind of relationships and
connections and work that you guys do.
So, been connected ever since then. I'm loosely connected to the Affordable
Housing Coalition call.
I'm on the emails and I read the meeting minutes, but I haven't been able to regularly attend.
(19:47):
I hope to do that when an if workload eases up. You don't have to tell on yourself, Amanda.
I know. I can't believe you remembered the date because I didn't even remember
the date. No, I had to ask my friend because I was going back through my pictures
and I couldn't find them.
So, yeah, she said it was January 19.
(20:09):
And so actually during legislative session, that was a bold move. Yeah, I don't know.
It was it was really cool. Cool. And I had not been connected to state level anything before that,
because our state just seems so wackadoodle that I kind of just don't want to
(20:30):
have anything to do with it, even though that it's super important.
So I'm really glad Empower Missouri is there at the state because,
I mean, we just don't have the capacity to be tracking this kind of stuff.
But anyways, getting ahead of myself with your questions, I think.
Yeah. What keeps you connected to us? I think a few things that Affordable Housing
(20:50):
Coalition and the work you guys are doing at the state level and bringing together
affordable housing advocates across the state,
I think that's super valuable. It's needed.
We're still trying to figure out like what our place is in that and how we can be involved. evolved.
Also, I really like how you guys have evolved your, I guess,
(21:13):
like programming that you offer.
So like the Advocacy 101 workshop that you did, I thought was really great.
And I feel like that was something that was kind of new at the time when you offered it.
I could be wrong, but I thought that was really great. I really like the,
what is it? The Advocacy Partners. partners.
(21:36):
It is called the Advocacy Partners. We are changing the name of it to the Advocacy.
Accelerator because we like the alliteration.
And yeah, we never really meant to leave it called the Advocacy Partners.
That was like a working title. And then we just didn't have a better thing.
So it's been like two, three years of trying to figure out something better.
So there you go. That's cool.
(21:57):
I think deeper connection to the state work through you guys,
but also, So, you know, figuring out how to how to partner and utilize Empower
Missouri for some of the state work that we see that is needed.
But we just don't have the capacity and knowledge and relationships and any of that.
My last question, Amanda, do you have like a memory, a specific memory or a
(22:20):
thing that we've done during our time together that feels impactful to you?
Well, let's see. One thing I didn't mention before was that I was nominated
and awarded for the 2023 Affordable Housing Advocate of the Year, which was really great.
But I think that that brunch that all of the people came together from across
(22:45):
the state and hearing about even in Kansas City, like who's doing what that
I don't know about. I felt like that was really impactful.
And, you know, we had a whole table of guests and like it was impactful for
all of them to like some of them are in housing and some of them weren't.
I felt like that was really great. I also really like the Anti-Poverty Summit.
(23:08):
Not all totally relevant to my work, but it's all related.
And I love meeting people across the state in rural, suburban,
small city doing this kind of work and just learning about all of the other
things that affect people's lives outside of just like my realm of housing and
(23:32):
like housing developers.
So I think that's really great. And it just is such a great group of people
that I like going for the vibe, for the information, for the connecting.
And the place is really great too. Columbia is fun.
I went out with some friends afterwards and went for a hike after and it was
(23:54):
really fun. Absolutely.
I did not. I slept. I just went to bed.
I bet. Good. That is also very good.
Yeah. Hosting is very different than participating. But yes,
I stayed in Columbia because Missouri Foundation for Health always does their
Advocates Retreat the next day.
They're going to do that this year as well, back in Columbia.
(24:16):
And so I stayed in Columbia and
I literally just went straight to my next hotel room and went to sleep.
Yeah. Good. That is needed.
There is a lot of fun places to hike and do stuff around Columbia, for sure.
Yeah we went to this cave i
don't i don't even remember what it was a friend found it but it was like we
hiked way down like down steps and like into this like crevice and this little
(24:43):
like cave there and i don't know it was really cool it was awesome all right
well thanks amanda that's all i have for you okay.
Music.
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