A year has passed since the devastating F5 tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, and the rebuilding efforts continue. Over the past year, with your help, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri has been able to assist many families repair, rebuild, and return to their homes.

One such family can finally smile after having repairs recently completed on their home. After the storm, this mother and daughter were faced with roof, siding, and interior wall damage. Insurance covered the cost of the roof repair, but they were left with the task of finding help with the other repairs. After being turned away several times, the family approached Catholic Charities, and finally received the assistance they desperately needed.

With the help of community partners, thousands of volunteers, and countless donations from across the nation, projects like this one have been completed. Through your generosity, more and more smiling faces are populating Joplin. Thank you for your donations of time, talent, and treasure. Your gifts have changed the lives of many. Thank you!

While much progress is being made, there is more work to be done. Would you like to bring the next smile to Joplin? There are many ways in which to make a difference. You can donate online (on this website) by clicking the “Donate Now” button. You may also send monetary donations and gift cards (such as Wal-Mart and Lowes) to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, 601 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield MO 65806. Volunteer opportunities are also available. We especially are in need of electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. If you are interested, please contact Amy Rogers at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (417) 624-3790. Working together, we are making a difference! Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

The Saint Francis Medical Center 2011 Power of Sharing community campaign was a huge success. Together 975 employees gave more than $155,000, with an average gift of $159, to help six local community agencies. Catholic Charities received $15, 284.

Pictured here are Steven W. Logel, PT, chairman, Power of Sharing Community Campaign, Beth Keller, Kyle Schott, regional director, Catholic Charities, and Frances Presswood.

Want to Help Support Continued Relief Efforts?

Just imagine...

It's an exciting day...a day you have worked hard to reach....you are leaving temporary housing and moving into your new apartment.  The big smile on your face soon evaporates as you open the door to an empty home.  You have no beds for your children to sleep in, no couch to sit upon, you don't even have a table and chairs for your family to sit around and share a meal together.  Imagine being in your kitchen ready to prepare dinner.  You look around, but find no mixer, bowls, or even utensils to work with.  A year has passed since the historic tornado, but the rebuilding has only just begun! Many continue to deal with this unimaginable situation.  Many are still struggling to find the basic necessities and to provide some permanency for their families.  Many are still in need of your help!  Want to get involved?  Below is a list of items needed to assist with the continuing relief efforts:

• Building supplies
  • siding, flooring,  lumber, and electrical wire
  • plywood, plumbing, and roofing supplies
• Gift cards
  • Lowes, Home Depot, and Sutherlands, are needed for building supplies
  • Wal-Mart, Gap, and Target, are needed for clothes and personal hygiene product

 A 100 year old home on Pennsylvania Avenue, totally remodeled by homeowners, waiting for wiring to be updated before insurance would provide coverage was destroyed in the May 22 tornado.

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Family strengthening centers will be local.  While Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will have a single Board of Directors and a centralized administrative core, each regional strengthening center will utilize a local advisory committee.  This local group will identify the kinds of services that will have the maximum impact on their community. 

Family strengthening is about community partnership.  In recent years much talk in the area of organizational development has focused on the “silo effect.”  Within a large organization one unit (or silo) may exist as an independent silo and not be in communication with other units (silos) located right next door.  Applying this concept to social services, agencies can work as independent and isolated organizations.  They are not involved with other agencies within the community that also offer similar or supportive services.  Especially in the rural parts of our diocese, our Catholic parishes have forged very strong relationships with other agencies and with other churches.  Much of their charity work is done through community organizations and ministerial alliances.  Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri wants to continue this strong commitment to community cooperation.