empower: abilities

01/28/2026

Our office will be closed on Wednesday. We are still following the Springfield Public Schools closure, likely due to extreme cold and slick side roads. Stay in and stay warm. Tell us what you have been doing to occupy your time inside?

01/27/2026

Thank you Abilities First for collecting this helpful list. Warming shelters are crucial for our homeless population.

For all of our unsheltered friends, here is a list of cold weather shelters that you
can go to.

(Open Nov. 1 – March 31 when temps are projected below 32°)
• Brentwood Christian Church – 1900 E. Barataria St.
• East Sunshine Church of Christ (Men Only) – 3721 E. Sunshine St.
• Eden Village 1 – 2801 E. Division St.
• Grace United Methodist Church (Women Only) – 600 S. Jefferson Ave.
• Harbor House (Men Only) – 636 E. Boonville Ave.
• National Avenue Christian Church – 1515 S. National Ave.
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Men Only) – 1609 N. Summit Ave.
• Safe to Sleep (Women Only) – Call for location & availability
• St. John’s Episcopal Church (Men Only) – 515 E. Division St.
• The Fairbanks at Drew Lewis Foundation – 1126 N. Broadway Ave.
• Unity of Springfield – 2214 E. Seminole St.
• Venues 425 – 425 W. Walnut St.
• Victory Mission Men’s Shelter – 1610 N. Broadway Ave.

Shelter sign-up:
📍 809 N. Campbell Ave., Springfield
🕘 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Need help or after-hours info?
📞 Call crisis shelter, direct line 417-290-3110 to connect with available shelters or check which locations are open after 10 a.m

01/26/2026

Empower: abilities will be closed again on Tuesday due to extreme temperatures and safety hazards.

01/26/2026

If you have been out shoveling snow today, its a beast! Here’s some great snow safety advice from our friends at Active Life Chiropractic (Springfield, Missouri)

With the first snow of the year, it's a great time to talk about staying safe while walking on icy surfaces. Slips are common during winter weather, but using the right technique can reduce your risk. One of the safest ways to walk on ice is to "penguin walk." This means to keep your body upright and take slow, careful steps. When walking on the ice, you want to bend your knees slightly and keep them relaxed and when taking a step place your entire foot on the ground instead of heel to toe. You also want to take short, shuffling steps instead of big steps while keeping your hands out of your pockets. This will reduce your chance of losing your balance and let you break your fall if you slip.
Footwear also plays a big role in preventing slips on the icy surfaces. Avoid any smooth-soled shoes and high heels. These provide little traction. The best type of footwear is any with deeper tread on the bottom or non-slip rubber shoes. Taking these simple precautions can help you stay steady and safe throughout the winter season. Stay safe!

01/26/2026

Due to the weather, empower: abilities office will be closed on Monday. Your safety, and that of our emploees, is top priority.

Stay home and off the roads if possible while our city crews have a chance to clear snow. Be sure to check in on your neighbors - a friendly phone call can make a big impact.

01/25/2026

Not everyone can shovel—and that’s where community matters 💙

Some neighbors may be unable to clear their sidewalks due to age, disability, illness, or injury. Checking in and offering help can make a real difference.

If you’re able:
✔️ Clear your sidewalk promptly
✔️ Help a neighbor who might need it
✔️ Spread salt or sand to prevent ice

Small acts keep our neighborhoods safe, connected, and accessible for all.

01/23/2026

🌨️ Office Closure Reminder🌨️

If Springfield Public Schools call a snow day, so do we!
That means the empower: abilities office will be closed.

Safety always comes first—for the people we serve and our amazing staff. While our office may be closed, many of our team members are still working behind the scenes to stay connected and support our community.

Please travel only if it’s safe, and check back for updates as needed. 💙 If you need immediate assistance for an emergency situation, please call 911.

01/23/2026

Another helpful cold-weather tip from City of Springfield, MO

With freezing temperatures in the forecast, a little preparation now can help prevent frozen or burst pipes later.
✔️ Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces and garages
✔️ Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F, even when you’re away
✔️ Let faucets drip during extreme cold to keep water moving
✔️ Seal air leaks near where pipes enter your home
✔️ Disconnect garden hoses and shut off outdoor water valves

🚰 If your pipes freeze:
• Keep the faucet open while thawing
• Use a hairdryer or space heater, never an open flame
• Start thawing near the faucet and work toward the frozen section
• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located
• If you can’t thaw the pipe or it bursts, contact a licensed plumber right away

City Utilities is here for you! Our highly trained crews are on standby and ready to respond 24/7/365 to ensure reliable service. 📲 Sign up for MyAccount to track usage, report issues and get updates: cityutilities.net/myaccount

01/23/2026

Here's the latest from the City of Springfield, MO.

Part of being prepared is knowing where to get accurate information. Whether it's road conditions, safety information, power outages and more, follow our partners to stay up to date!

Utilities & Transportation
💡 City Utilities
🚌 CU Transit
🛣️ MoDOT Southwest Missouri

Public Safety
🚔 Police Department
🚨 Greene County Sheriff's Office
🚓 Missouri State Highway Patrol
🚒 Fire Department
⚠️ Office of Emergency Management

Schools & Closures
🏫 Springfield Public Schools,
📚 Missouri State University
🏫 Drury University
📚 Evangel University
🏫 Ozarks Technical Community College
🛝 Springfield-Greene County Park Board
📚 Springfield-Greene County Library District

Health & Shelter
🍎 Springfield-Greene County Health
🏠 Community Partnership of the Ozarks
🏥 Mercy Hospital Springfield
🏥 CoxHealth

For updates from Public Works and Springfield-Greene County 911, follow us!

01/23/2026

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 = 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬

When sidewalks are icy or snow-covered, they become a serious safety risk—especially for:

❄️ Seniors
❄️ People with disabilities
❄️ Parents with strollers
❄️ Kids walking to school
❄️ Anyone using mobility aids or recovering from an injury

Clearing your sidewalk helps everyone get where they need to go safely. A few minutes can prevent falls, injuries, and isolation. Let’s look out for one another this winter.

01/23/2026

Today's the day!
Feed Your Friday Hunger at Wendy's with Burgers, fries, Frosty's & giving back - It may be your last good meal out before the weekend snow sets it.

Today, you can enjoy your favorite Wendy’s meal AND support empower: abilities at the same time! Be sure to invite family and friends - and SHARE THIS POST!

📍 Where: Wendy’s, 3558 S. Campbell, Springfield
🕒 When: ALL DAY – Breakfast to Close

🎯 How it works: YOU MUST SHOW THE FLYER in this post
Show the flyer (paper or electronic) when ordering.
30% of qualifying sales will be donated to empower: abilities!
Valid for dine-in, drive-thru, or carry-out orders at this location on this date.

🍟 Burgers, fries, and making a difference—what could be better?

01/23/2026

Today we honor Ed Roberts Day—celebrating the legacy of Ed Roberts, a pioneer of the Independent Living Movement and a powerful voice for disability rights.

Ed Roberts challenged systems that limited people with disabilities—and helped reshape communities around the belief that independence means choice, access, and self-determination.

His advocacy laid the foundation for Centers for Independent Living across the country and continues to guide our work today: removing barriers, honoring lived experience, and ensuring people with disabilities lead the conversations that affect their lives.

Today, we celebrate his legacy—and recommit to the work still ahead.
Because independence looks different for everyone, and every voice matters. 💙

Read more in the comments.