Children’s Haven of Southwest Missouri received $58,662 and Jasper County CASA received $24,834 in grants from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with Children’s Trust Fund. The grants are part of the Facility Improvement and Infrastructure Grant Program and will support improvements to family spaces for clients and visitors as well as enhancements to technology and cybersecurity.
“A visiting environment that is comfortable and family friendly is so important to building relationships without anxiety,” said Stephanie Theis, executive director of Children’s Haven. “Thanks to this grant, we’ll be able to better serve our children and families.”
“This opportunity to improve our technology and security is fabulous,” said Debi Koelkebeck, executive director at Jasper County CASA. “We’re very appreciative to be able to use this funding.”
A total of $670,000 was granted to 12 agencies addressing child abuse and neglect in the CFO’s service area of central and southern Missouri, during a virtual event on Jan. 9. For a full list of recipients, go to cfozarks.org/ctf.
“The Children’s Trust Fund has deep respect for the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and is honored to work with them on funding agencies that are at the front lines of protecting Missouri children,” said Emily van Schenkhof, executive director of Children’s Trust Fund. “We look forward to seeing the good work and impact in the CFO’s region from this funding.”
As Missouri’s foundation for child abuse prevention, the Children’s Trust Fund’s primary responsibility is to provide grants to community-based agencies and organizations throughout the state that focus on strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment.
“We are grateful to partner with Children’s Trust Fund to advance the agencies helping the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Ashley Fleming, grant program officer for the CFO. “These grants will help the recipients provide safety and security to those that need it most.”
The Facility Improvement and Infrastructure Grant Program selection committee comprised Tyler Drenon, Laurie Edmondson, Robin Morgan, Danny Perches and Abby Petzoldt.
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks is the region’s largest public charitable foundation serving donors, nonprofit partners and 54 regional affiliate foundations — including the Joplin Regional Community Foundation and Carthage Community Foundation — with assets totaling $427 million as of June 30, 2023. The CFO’s mission is to improve the quality of life for everyone in central and southern Missouri through resource development, community grantmaking, collaboration and public leadership.
