October 1, 2023 marks the start of our new fiscal year and we are accepting applications for the Energy Assistance Program. Please do not request an application if you received energy assistance last year – an app will be mailed to your last known address.......
Big news effective with the start of our new fiscal year on 10/1/23: LIHEAP applicants can call (417) 864-3460 to receive an up-to-date message on the status of their application....
Please join us in celebrating Tim Prater as our recognized Board Member for September! Tim believes in our mission and demonstrates empathy and compassion for the people we serve. He has been a loyal board member for many years, supporting efforts to connect people with......
Our friend, Nancy Masner, is retiring after 41 years at OACAC! Nancy has served SW MO in a multitude of ways over the years, most recently as our Housing Assistance Program Director. You’re invited to join us in celebration of and with Nancy on Friday,......
Our Stone County Neighborhood Center is moving! Our current location will close this Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, and we will open in our new location on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The new address is: Table Rock Plaza 16585 MO 13, Suites K & L Branson West,......
We want to share the warmth with you, our community! Thanks to the generosity of Penn Enterprises, Inc, in partnership with Our Savior Lutheran Church in Buffalo, we have received a donation of over 2,000 sets of gently recycled bed linens. We’ll be giving these......
9/22/23: Thank you for your interest in OACAC Greene County Center’s Cornhole Tournament. At this time, we are cancelling the tournament in October and may reschedule for a later date....
The agenda for the September 26, 2023 OACAC Area Board meeting is below....
Do you like chili? And bingo? Then you’ll LOVE Chilingo! Join our Stone County Neighborhood Center staff and friends for the return of Chilingo on Friday, October 13, 2023. When: 5:00pm start Where: New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main Street in Reeds Spring, MO Entry......
UPDATE 9/22/23: Thank you for your interest in OACAC Greene County Center’s Cornhole Tournament. At this time, we are cancelling the tournament in October and may reschedule for a later date. Our Greene County Center is hosting a Cornhole Tournament and 50/50 Drawing on Saturday,......
Please join us in thanking Gary Birzer and recognizing him as our board member for August 2023. Gary is pictured below, volunteering at a Back to School event in Stone County this summer. Gary is committed to helping residents of Stone County in many ways......
All OACAC locations will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 for Labor Day, as well as Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 for All Staff Development. Information and applications can be found by navigating the tabs on our website....
The agenda for the August 29, 2023 OACAC Area Board meeting is below....
Our 4th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 from 11am – 2pm at the University Plaza Convention Center, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway in Springfield. This event connects fan with an array of delicious mac &......
Are you ready to get your high school equivalency degree? Prep classes for the HiSet test are starting in Buffalo. Classes begin Aug. 22 and are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-8:00 at the Buffalo High School Alternative Building. New this year, all students......
Great grandparents, Barbara and Estevan, recently began raising their two great grandchildren. Their large travel trailer retirement home went from comfortably housing two to snugly housing four when their great grandsons moved in. Young boys eat a lot and Barbara and Estevan found themselves purchasing......
We are pleased to welcome Christy Fields as our new Housing Assistance Program Director. Christy started with OACAC in October 2016 and has worked as a Housing Counselor, Administrative Assistant, and Portability Specialist. Christy said, “I am most excited to network with other organizations, OACAC......
Please join us in welcoming Rich Thompson as our new Taney County Neighborhood Center Supervisor. Rich is a veteran who served in the US Army for six years as a Military Police Officer along with two combat tours in Iraq. After the military, he became......
Our Lawrence County Neighborhood Center will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 9 for repairs. Applications and information can be found by navigating the tabs on the website....
The Taney County Neighborhood Center will be closing for the day at noon on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023....
On Tues., Aug. 8, 2023, Head Start is having an indoor sale at our Fair Grove location, 103 N. Main Street in Fair Grove. While a few things may have a small cost, most items will be marked FREE and must be removed during the......
OACAC is no longer offering classes for the ShowMe Healthy Relationships program. For more information and to sign up for classes, please contact the main SMHR office at the University of Missouri. Email: [email protected] Phone: 573-882-4325....
Music! Dancing! Inspired, Fun Activities! And best of all, a night out among friends, new and old. Save the date for the return of the Galentine’s Gala. When: Friday, February 2, 2024 Where: Relics Event Center, 2015 W. Battlefield in Springfield, MO More details to......
Do you like chili? And bingo? Then you’ll LOVE Chilingo! Join our Stone County Neighborhood Center staff and friends for the return of Chilingo on Friday, October 13, 2023. When: 5:00pm start Where: New Testament Christian Church, 21016 Main Street in Reeds Spring, MO Details:......
Just in time for late summer fun and back to school, enter for your chance to win over $750 in cash and prizes! Imagine sipping delicious coffee, seeing a Branson show or exploring the Hollywood Wax Museum. You could be doing all of this while......
From the National Head Start Association website: Tell Congress Not to Cut Head Start Funding in FY24! The House Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed cutting Head Start by $750 million for the next fiscal year! This will result in roughly 80,000 children no longer......
On Thursday, Aug. 3, we’re hosting a Poverty Simulation in partnership with the Doula Foundation and we’re looking for volunteers who would like to help this be a powerful experience! During a simulation, participants role-play a month in poverty and experience low-income families’ lives, which......
The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on......
Who’s up for some cheesy fun? In celebration of #NationalMacAndCheeseDay, we’re giving away a Mac Two Pack of tickets to our 4th Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest in January 2024! Visit us on Facebook to enter!...
Our Greene County Center is hosting back to school sign-up events in Bois D’Arc and Ash Grove next week! Any interested family in Greene County can attend one of those events or call (417) 447-0554 beginning this Friday, July 14, 2023, to schedule an appointment.......
(July 7, 2023) It’s #NationalMacaroniDay and a GOUDA day to announce the date of our 2024 MO Mac & Cheese Fest! Join us on Sat., Jan. 13 at the University Plaza Convention Center, beginning at 11am, for sampling of our regions most delicious mac &......
September is Sexual Health Awareness month and you’re invited to our first ever Test Fest, an event focused on destigmatizing STD testing and making it accessible and affordable for all. In addition to testing, the OACAC Family Planning team will also provide reproductive healthcare exams......
We need to hear from you! We are conducting a survey in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to improve digital equity and inclusion. We value your input and invite you to participate in this survey, which will help guide state internet expansion......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4, in observance of the holiday. We wish you and yours a safe and enjoyable fourth. Information and applications can be found by navigating tabs on our website....
This summer, Neighborhood/Community Centers in Christian, Dade, Lawrence, Polk, Taney, and Webster counties are operating on adjusted hours....
On March 31, 2023, the MO Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development announced $250,000 in Digital Equity Act funds through its Digital Demonstration Projects Grant Program. OACAC is pleased to be one of 10 recipients of this grant, which will help connect Southwest......
We have been notified by our funding source that the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will end on 6/30/23. Any applications postmarked or received after that date will not be accepted. We will continue to offer our Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Information and applications can be found by navigating the tabs on our website....
Monday, June 5, 2023: Our Christian County Neighborhood Center’s phones are down. We are working with the phone company to get this fixed asap. Thanks for understanding....
Head Start is having a sale on Friday, June 9, 2023. Details below. No holds, please....
OACAC is seeking proposals for auditing services. The award will be for a five-year period beginning with the 2023 Fiscal Year (October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023). This audit will cover all financial records of the organization, and is to be made in accordance......
Trivia Night at Finnegan’s Wake is back! Finnegan’s Wake will be hosting Mean Girls Trivia Night on Wednesday, June 28th at 7pm to benefit back to school efforts at our Greene County Center, ensuring children and teens have the tools they need to start the......
Our Greene County Center will be closing at noon for work on the building on Friday, June 2 and Friday, June 23. Thank you for understanding....
We’re pleased to recognize Lori Letterman as our Board Member for May! Lori has a genuine heart for people and makes a positive difference everyday. Lori supports our Webster County Neighborhood Center’s mission to relieve poverty in a myriad of ways, from giving time and......
Just in time for late summer fun and back to school, enter for your chance to win over $750 in cash and prizes! Imagine sipping delicious coffee, seeing a Branson show or exploring the Hollywood Wax Museum. You could be doing all of this while......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. Information and applications can be found by navigating the tabs on our website. We’ll open for regular business hours on Tuesday, May 30....
We need to hear from you! We are conducting a survey in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to improve digital equity and inclusion. We value your input and invite you to participate in this survey, which will help guide state internet expansion......
Tuesday, May 23, 2023: As of 11am, our Dade County Neighborhood Center has closed temporarily for the day. We’ll post when it has reopened. For information and applications, please visit www.oac.ac. Thank you. UPDATE: The Center is open as of 1pm on May 23....
We are pleased to introduce Jessica Csizmesia as our new Foster Grandparent Director. Jessica has served as the Foster Grandparent Assistant Director since October of 2022, and says, “I am beyond honored and excited to become Director of a wonderful program and our Foster Grandparents.”...
The People’s Pantry project provides freestanding pantries in multiple locations across SW MO. Filled with shelf stable food, fresh produce, hygiene items, and more, people are encouraged to take what they need and leave what they can....
We are pleased to be a non-profit sponsor of Ozarks Pridefest this year. We’ll be there all day, starting with the parade in the morning, so stop by and say hi! We’ll have fun games, giveaways, and some items for sale, including mystery grab bags.......
We’ll be at Juneteenth on Saturday, June 17 and we hope to see you there!...
We’re pleased to continue working with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department to offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Tuesday, June 6. It’s free and open to the public and will be held from 1-3pm at our Central Office, 215 S. Barnes in Springfield. Find more......
The agenda for the May 23, 2023 OACAC Area Board meeting is below....
We have adopted the stretch of road on College from Park to Chestnut Expressway, and on Wednesday, May 10, we completed our first clean up project. It was a beautiful morning to be outside and we enjoyed the work. We were surprised by the number......
Our Greene County Center will close at noon on Friday, May 12, for staff development....
On Friday, March 31, 2023, the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development announced $250,000 in Digital Equity Act funds through its Digital Demonstration Projects Grant Program. The program is focused on supporting digital opportunities statewide to help extend the benefits of the......
We’re pleased to welcome Aimee Adams as our new OACAC Family Planning Nurse Practitioner. Aimee has been an RN for 25 years and worked in Family Practice before that. She grew up in Texas and Poplar Bluff, MO, and it was her son’s college experience......
On April 25, 2023, we welcomed Jennifer “Jenn” Gomez as our new ShowMe Healthy Relationships SW MO Program Manager! Jenn has completed two years of national service through AmeriCorps and has various non-profit experience including international disaster response, volunteer coordination, mental health, and child welfare.......
Media contacts: Betty Reno – OACAC Dade County Neighborhood Center (417) 232-8020 | [email protected] Jordan Browning – Ozarks Food Harvest (417) 865-3411 ext. 129 or (417) 844-4031 cell | [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OACAC-Dade County Neighborhood Center receives capacity building grant from Ozarks Food......
Please join us in welcoming Bridgette Allen as our new CSBG Assistant Director, beginning 4/24/23. Bridgette has been serving Missourians as the OACAC ShowMe Healthy Relationships Program Manager. She says, “I so look forward to returning to CSBG and working with the amazing individuals who......
The agenda for the April 25, 2023 OACAC Area Board meeting is below....
We’d like to thank the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Marshfield Area Affiliate for granting our Webster County Neighborhood Center with funding to purchase air conditioners for Webster County residents in need. Do you need assistance with an air conditioner? For more information about this......
Please join us in welcoming Bill Bell as our new Greene County Center Supervisor, beginning Monday, April 24. Bill has held various positions throughout his lifetime but says the “job of Family Resource Specialist has been the most fulfilling job I have held.” Bill has......
“I’m very happy to be in the OACAC Home Based Program, it’s helped me through so much. Not only with my child but myself too! ” Daisy, pictured left, met Brenda Sanchez-Acuna, OACAC Head Start Home Visitor, through a family member enrolled in the Early......
Our 2022 annual report is filled with highlights from the year, program information, generous donors, and more. Take a look here....
We’re pleased to announce Cassie Melvin as our new CSBG Director! Cassie has been with our CSBG Neighborhood/Community Centers program for six years, most recently as our Greene County Center Supervisor. Cassie says, “I enjoy how client focused OACAC is, and am excited for this......
OACAC Head Start is proud to receive funding from Abilities First to support full participation and inclusion of young children with special needs....
On Friday, March 31, 2023, the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development announced $250,000 in Digital Equity Act funds through its Digital Demonstration Projects Grant Program. The program is focused on supporting digital opportunities statewide to help extend the benefits of the......
This proclamation, signed by our Board President, recognizes and celebrates April as Fair Housing Month....
(March 27, 2023) Jennifer Olson has been named as the new Executive Director for Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC). Olson is the fourth Executive Director and first female director for the non-profit. Founded in 1965, OACAC works to create lasting solutions to poverty for......
Friday, March 24, 2023: Our Lawrence County Neighborhood Center is closing today at 3:30pm. Information and applications can be found at www.oac.ac....
Now in its 12th year, Queen City Shout is Springfield’s largest showcase of music, film and art with its two-fold vision to Celebrate The Arts & Support Poverty Relief. Take a look at this great line-up of music! Tickets are $15 per day or $30......
ShowMe Healthy Relationships (SMHR) is a free eight-week course for single adults, 18+, who wish to strengthen interpersonal relationships, build strong communication and problem-solving skills, recognize healthy and unhealthy relationship habits, understand personal goals for a committed relationship, and more. New class series begin on: March......
Join us for a round of mini golf and tasty morning treats for a great cause and chance at winning cash and other prizes! Proceeds benefit the OACAC Greene County Center’s poverty relief efforts. When: Saturday, April 8, 2023 from 9:30-11:30amChoose the round you want......
Our Taney County Neighborhood Center will be closed this afternoon, Thursday, March 9. Please find information and applications by navigating the links on our website....
Do you love Monopoly? Don’t miss the 12th Annual Ozark Mountain Monopoly Tournament on April 22, 2023. This event draws players from around the country, in benefit of the OACAC Stone County Neighborhood Center Client Emergency Fund, helping people in need. The tournament begins at......
Our 1st Annual Galentine’s Gala was held at Relics Event Center on Friday, February 3, 2023. What a blast! We had about 100 guests in attendance, who enjoyed dancing, music, a waffle bar, drinks, and a variety of inspired activities throughout the evening, all supporting......
Please take a few minutes to share your feedback on this Community Needs Assessment survey. A Community Needs Assessment is a process conducted by all Community Action Agencies every three years to determine the underlying causes and conditions of poverty within the community they serve......
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, February 20, 2023 in observance of Presidents’ Day....
Please join us in recognizing our Lawrence County board member, Scott Cloyd, for the insight and advocacy he brings to our board. Scott is instrumental in supporting our People’s Pantries project, often refurbishing, rebuilding, repairing, and restocking them. He is a champion of OACAC programs......
Now in its 12th year, Queen City Shout is Springfield’s largest showcase of music, film and art with its two-fold vision to Celebrate The Arts & Support Poverty Relief. QCS happens March 20-26 in Springfield, MO and we’re recruiting volunteers who want to hear some......
Adult Mental Health First Aid consists of 2-hours of self-paced content followed by 5.5 hours of instructor-led training between the hours of 9am-4pm. OACAC is proud to present this training free of charge to the public via Zoom. A link will be emailed after registration......
Youth Mental Health First Aid consists of 2-hours of self-paced content followed by 4.5 hours of instructor-led training between the hours of 9am-4pm. OACAC is proud to present this training free of charge to the public via Zoom. A link will be emailed after registration......
Due to winter weather, Neighborhood Centers in these counties are closed today: Barry, Dade, Dallas, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster. The Christian County Neighborhood Center will close at 11am today. Our Central Office, Weatherization Office, Greene County Center, and all Head Start Centers will......
OACAC’s Galentine’s Gala is an evening of music, dancing, inspired activities, a waffle bar, and best of all, a night out among friends, new and old. When: Friday, Feb. 3 from 7-10pm Where: Relics Event Center in Springfield Link here to volunteer for a shift and your......
On Tuesday, Jan. 24, our Taney County Neighborhood Center will close at 2pm. Part-day and extended day Head Start classrooms with buses will release by 2pm. Full-day and extended day Head Start classrooms without buses will release at 3pm. The OACAC Central Office will close......
The vaccine clinic with Springfield-Greene County Health Department originally scheduled on Thursday, Jan. 26 has been rescheduled to Feb. 14 due to weather. Primary and secondary doses will be available, as will boosters. Individuals who receive the first booster (third dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine......
The agenda for the January 31, 2023 OACAC Area Board meeting is below....
We had a full house at Relics Event Center for our 3rd Annual MO Mac & Cheese Fest on 1/14/23! Thanks to the generosity of these participating vendors: (returning from 2019) Georgia Mac’s, The Pitch Pizza & Pub, Bricktown Brewery, 417 Taphouse, (new this year)......
Adult Mental Health First Aid consists of 2-hours of self-paced content followed by 5.5 hours of instructor-led training. Register here for the February 14, 2023 class Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs......
Our Dade County Neighborhood Center is closed today, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, due to inclement weather....
OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Information and applications can be found online at www.oac.ac. We invite you to stop by and visit us at the Springfield Multicultural Festival on Monday....
We are pleased to welcome Jennifer Olson as our Interim Executive Director. Jennifer is an AmeriCorps alumnus who has worked in the social services field since 1999. She has been part of the OACAC team since 2008, holding positions including Greene County Supervisor, Polk County......
In collaboration with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, we’re hosting a COVID vaccination clinic on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 from 1-3pm at our Central Office, 215 S. Barnes in Springfield. This clinic is free and open to the public. This is a booster only clinic......
In observance of New Year’s, OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Monday, January 2, 2023. Please visit our program tabs at www.oac.ac for information and applications....
We are saddened to hear about the passing of our friend and colleague, Tim Tuter. Tim was a valued Weatherization Crew Member for several years, and will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Visitation will be held on......
Due to inclement weather in the forecast, OACAC offices, Head Start Centers, and Neighborhood/Community Centers will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 22. The New to You thrift store in Buffalo will be closed, as well....
In observance of Christmas, OACAC offices and centers will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26. We’ll reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Please visit our program tabs at www.oac.ac for information and applications....
Music! Dancing! Inspired, Fun Activities! A Waffle Bar! And best of all, a night out among friends, new and old. Grab your bestie or bring yourself and make plans to join us. We can’t wait to see you! Get your ticket here. Ages 18+. Thanks......
