Council of Churches of the Ozarks

Ambassadors for Children’s (AFC) purpose is to restore dignity to all local youth in foster care. We want them to know they are valued and loved by providing physical items and support that will, in turn, boost their self-esteem. AFC is an outreach service of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.
Children often leave their homes with nothing more than a grocery sack full of belongings. A loss of family, belongings, and place diminishes their unique identity.

By partnering with Ambassadors for Children, YOU provide an opportunity for children in foster care to use their voice, express their personalities, and enjoy the experience of new clothes, shoes, and essentials. They can pursue extra-curricular activities and receive needed therapies. These opportunities help restore dignity and self-worth to the youth in care!

Crosslines inspires hope for food-insecure families, seniors, and children by addressing immediate hunger needs with access to food and essential items. Crosslines is an outreach of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.
Crosslines* – where the lines of compassion and concern cross the lines of human need.

Crosslines’ assistance is critical for the nearly 25% of our community who are unsure where their next meal will come from (Springfield Community Focus Report, 2019).

Crosslines is committed to addressing needs in an environment that fosters community, dignity, and compassion. As the largest client-direct food pantry in Greene County, Missouri, Crosslines serves nearly 70,000 people annually through a client-choice pantry, mobile food distributions, holiday assistance, and multiple senior food programs.

Crosslines provides emergency food assistance and lovingly connects guests to other community services.

Connections Handyman Service (CHS) inspires hope for low-income, seniors, and disabled homeowners of all ages with free essential home repairs that empower them to live safely in their own homes.
Every 11 seconds a senor is treated in the ER due to a fall. In order to prevent falls and support healthy living, it’s important to provide solutions for homeowners with limited incomes.

Home repair projects include, but are not limited to, access ramp construction, bathroom modification for accessibility, window repair, plumbing, and HVAC repairs. CHS provides services to approximately 100 Greene County seniors each year.

The need for services is based on referrals or an individual’s direct application with CHS.

The need for services is based on referrals or an individual’s direct application with CHS. Once the referral is received and validated through a home visit, a licensed professional evaluates the request, which is then submitted to the CHS director for review and funding approval.

Long-term Care Ombudsman inspires hope for care home residents by providing advocacy, support, and assistance to empower them to receive the comfort and care they deserve.
Across the United States, over 2 million seniors live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Council of Churches’ Long-term Care Ombudsman Program is part of the State of Missouri’s Ombudsman Program. Ombudsman is a Swedish word, meaning “representative.” Each state is required by the Federal Older Americans Act (OAA) to have advocates and representatives in care facilities, and program advocates address complaints from residents and champion improvements to the long-term care system.

The Council’s Ombudsman program serves residents in over 20 counties in Southwest Missouri. Volunteers ensure all residents are informed of their rights, which include physician choice, freedom from abuse and restraint, participation in one’s care, ability to manage one’s finances, and retaining marital rights.

 

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) utilizes the experience and compassion of adults 55 and older to inspire hope in children through tutoring and mentoring.
Volunteers help Pre-k through third graders develop the social, emotional, and literacy skills needed to be successful in school and in life. They also provide grocery shopping services and social engagement to homebound Greene County seniors.

One Stop for Early Childhood inspires hope for all families and caregivers by providing information, resources and education which supports the development of young children with the purpose of kindergarten readiness and school success.
Families and caregivers in need receive on-going support to locate financial assistance, child care, housing, counseling, and other services. This helps families be strong and resilient. In addition, The One Stop provides training and technical assistance for families, child care providers, and early care professionals.

Safe to Sleep (STS) inspires hope for women experiencing homelessness by providing shelter and case management services, which help them overcome obstacles to sustainable housing.
Once the guest’s immediate need for shelter is met, the focus turns to transportation to and from appointments, connection with medical and mental health specialists, and document readiness for housing/employment — all with the goal of permanent housing. Safe to Sleep is the only local low-barrier “women’s” shelter available 365 days a year.

Since 2011, Safe to Sleep has provided a safe haven for more than 2,700 homeless women. In an atmosphere of dignity and compassion, women have safe shelter and support services to move them from scarcity to security.

Diaper Bank of the Ozarks keeps babies healthy and happy by distributing diapers – disposable and cloth – through partner agencies and to families in need throughout the Ozarks.
The top three responses to partner agency surveys show that diapers have allowed families to have:

Reduced Stress
Lowers the chance of maternal depression, domestic abuse and child abuse related to the stress of diaper need.
Better Finances
Ability to pay other bills / save money and the ability to buy food for their families
Improved Life Quality
Families also reported less diaper rashes, less crying from baby and baby sleeps better at night.
We’ve distributed 6,523,816 diapers since 2012!

Every Child Deserves a Happy Birthday! Wish I May is an important piece of The One Stop by providing ‘Happy Birthdays’ to underprivileged children and their parents/guardians in Greene County.
The children we reach are those whose families are experiencing extreme financial difficulties and find it impossible to provide even the smallest birthday celebration. Wish I May is volunteer-based and donation driven. We want every gift and donation given to go straight to the families we serve.

Wish I May knows that every child’s birthday is important and that even when parents and guardians don’t have the means to provide, the toys given through our organization let them give their children a special day. Too many families find themselves lacking the funds to be able to provide a birthday for their children.