April 14, 2026
Grant program supports youth in need
Students in the Springfield City chapter of the Youth Empowerment Project presented $15,000 in grants today at the CASA of Southwest Missouri headquarters. Bolstered by a gift from JE Dunn Construction, the Springfield City YEP Grant Program funds projects that provide safe and supportive spaces for youth in need.
Supported by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, YEP is designed to instill core values of grantmaking, service, education and fundraising in high school and middle school students. More than 20 high school students from Greenwood Laboratory, Springfield Catholic, Hillcrest and Kickapoo participate in the Springfield City YEP chapter.
The seven grant recipients are:
- 417 Bridge Builders: $1,500 to support the Black History Summer Academy, a five-day inclusive educational program that brings together students from all demographic backgrounds to engage in rigorous, culturally grounded learning.
- CASA of Southwest Missouri: $2,500 to support the Older Youth Advocacy Council, which gives older youth in foster care the opportunity to participate in program development and community advocacy, allowing them to shape the way CASA advocates on their behalf.
- empower: abilities: $2,300 to support Empower Youth workshops, which provides safe, supportive and skill-building spaces for youth with disabilities in Springfield and surrounding communities.
- FosterAdopt Connect Springfield: $3,000 to support YouthConnect Center Family Night, designed to strengthen family connections, offer resource navigation and reduce isolation.
- Isabel’s House: $3,000 to provide transportation assistance to more than 150 clients and families, ensuring consistent access to the crisis nursery’s services without undue hardship.
- The Kitchen Inc.: $1,500 to support the Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center, a drop-in center for homeless and at-risk youth.
- Springfield Ballet: $1,200 to support Star Steps, which delivers free ballet instruction to students in Title 1 schools and prepare them for SLT's pre-professional ballet school.
“This school year, Springfield City YEP students heard from nonprofit leaders and foundation experts, volunteered for Ozarks Food Harvest, and visited previous grant recipients, all while evaluating grant applications and selecting this year's grant recipients,” said Rachel Tripp, community impact manager for the CFO and the Springfield City YEP chapter sponsor. “This year, we were able to award more due to a generous gift from JE Dunn, for which we are very thankful. We have several seniors graduating, and I hope they carry this experience into their future work and learning.”
In addition to the Springfield City chapter, YEP currently engages students in 10 chapters at rural schools across the region. Learn more at cfozarks.org/yep.
